Go Rookie- Onwards and Upwards
TestTown People: Go Rookie- Onwards and Upwards
Participants
Edward Shorney, Go Rookie – The Online Apprenticeship Matching Service
About the project
When Edward Shorney was searching for an apprenticeship as a student at Bridgend College he found the process frustrating and time-consuming. He channeled this into finding a solution and so began the journey of ‘Go Rookie’. After securing a place at TestTown Rhyl in 2014, Edward went on to compete in the 2014 Grand Final in Cambridge. The events were challenging for a business idea which was not selling a product, but was instead using the opportunity to sell a brand. Thinking creatively, Edward pulled together an impressive set of kit to bring people in to find out about his service, including a Rolls Royce Gear-Box and Typhoon Flight Jet engine.
“It was a steep learning curve and a lot of work, but I am glad I did it. Both events gave me safe, testbed environments for my business idea – I would not have liked to have done that alone and unsupported.”
He acknowledges the experience he gained through both events. ‘It was a steep learning curve and a lot of work, but I am glad I did it. Both events gave me safe, testbed environments for my business idea – I would not have liked to have done that alone and unsupported.’ Go Rookie has gone from strength to strength. In March 2016, Edward secured a substantial private investment into his business. He with his team are now planning for a series of roadshow events across the major cities of the UK in 2017 building upon the pop-up concept they developed through TestTown. He was also part of the team who hosted and delivered TestTown Bridgend 2015, offering his own experience and skills to mentor the businesses which took part.
