From Skills to Start-Up: How Genuine Futures Is Building Youth Enterprise Pathways
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At Genuine Futures, we work with young people who have ability, motivation, and ideas — but often lack the opportunity or support to get started. Aligned with Youth Matters 2026, our Get Started in Business approach is about creating real, practical pathways into enterprise, helping young people move forward at the right pace, with the right support.
Keir’s Story: Turning Skills into a Real Opportunity
Keir is at the early stages of developing a business idea, with support from Genuine Futures to help turn his skills into something real and achievable. He is a second-year vehicle body repairs student at Bolton College, building strong technical foundations in his trade.
Alongside college, Keir works every Thursday with We Shine Any Car — the UK’s only youth-led car wash that directly supports youth enterprise and employment opportunities for Bolton’s young people. This real-world environment allows Keir to learn what business looks like day to day: standards, teamwork, customer care, and consistency.
“College gives me the skills, but being here shows me how things really work,” Keir says.
“It helps me understand what customers expect and what quality really means.”
Learning by Doing — Not Rushing to Trade
Keir’s ambition is to develop a smart vehicle repairs service, focusing on cosmetic and minor bodywork repairs. Importantly, he is not being pushed to launch before he is ready. Through Genuine Futures, Keir is being supported to develop the idea properly, build confidence, and understand the realities of running a business.
As part of this journey, Keir plans to add professional polishing and buffing services after vehicles have been hand washed, creating an added-value offer that complements existing services.
“I don’t want to rush it,” Keir explains.
“I want to do things properly, learn first, and build something I can be proud of.”
Enterprise in a Real Environment
A core principle of Genuine Futures is providing safe, real environments where young people can test ideas without pressure. We Shine Any Car plays a key role in this — showing how enterprise, responsibility, and pride in work come together.
“Working with We Shine Any Car has shown me how important the finish is,” Keir says.
“That’s why polishing and buffing after a hand wash feels like the right next step.”
This kind of learning cannot be replicated in a classroom alone.
Supported Through Boss Your Future
Keir is being supported through Boss Your Future, Genuine Futures’ programme for young people aged 15–24 who want to explore employment, training, or self-employment in a practical and supportive way. The programme focuses on confidence, accountability, and progression — not pressure.
As we often say at Genuine Futures, “talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not — and we are bridging that gap.”
Why This Matters — Youth Matters 2026
Youth Matters 2026 is about tackling the root causes of youth disengagement by creating credible pathways, not short-term fixes. Keir’s journey shows what is possible when:
- Skills are recognised early
- Enterprise is introduced gradually
- Support is consistent and practical
- Young people are trusted, not rushed
This is how sustainable futures are built — carefully, credibly, and with purpose.
Call to Action: Be Part of the Pathway
Keir’s next steps — and the journeys of many other young people — depend on local businesses, mentors, and partners willing to support early-stage talent.
If you can offer mentoring, advice, equipment access, work placements, or encouragement — or if you want to support the Boss Your Future programme as part of Youth Matters 2026 — we would love to hear from you.
Get in touch with Genuine Futures and help turn skills into start-ups.