Hunter's elite take on the world

FORGET The Apprentice: meet the Real Deal. A group of eight young Scots will be unleashed on the world this week after completing a remarkable nine-month 'social experiment' led by the country's richest man aimed at turning them into the leaders of tomorrow.

The eight were plucked from obscurity last year by entrepreneur and philanthropist Sir Tom Hunter for what he described as an "unashamedly elitist" plan to find tomorrow's pioneers.

The Hunter Leadership programme was set up to recruit "exceptional and altruistic" youngsters in order to push them on to higher things, after Hunter had warned that too many talented pupils were being held back by a mediocre system

The eight-strong group chosen were recruited from all corners of the country, representing a cross-section of society. Two came from the private school, Gordonstoun, while others were drawn from state schools near Hunter's Ayrshire home.

In an intense course, the group met Bill Clinton, had dinner with Kevin Spacey, worked on BBC's Children in Need, visited development projects in Malawi and embarked on an alpine trek with amputee climber Jamie Andrew.

Last week they spoke for the first time about how the experience had changed their lives, and "raised the bar" for their future. They declared that other young Scots were not being given enough opportunities to meet their potential, and said it was time the education system offered them more.

Hunter has admitted that this year's programme was an "experiment", as managers sought to find ways of stretching their young charges. Organisers decline to use the phrase 'gap year' to describe the programme, claiming that youngsters can 'fall through a gap'. Instead the programme is known as a 'bridge year'.

But the graduates were united in declaring how – having been offered opportunities and pushed onwards – their confidence levels had rocketed.

Matthew Vickery, 18, from Tain, who is going on to Aberdeen University, said: "It has been an incredible experience. I am ready to get back to Tain and change the world. In every aspect of my life I have grown as a person."

Lesley Thom, 17, from Logan, whose father is a plasterer and mother a shop assistant, said: "I was going to go to uni, then get a job, and then the end. Now I want to do that, but also I want to help people. Scotland is my home but the world is our stage. I'm here to make folk listen to me now."

She said a visit to Polmont Young Offenders Unit had particularly influenced her. "So many of them have got such good opinions on things but they didn't have the chance. I really want to help young people."

Collette Oliver, 18, from Kilsyth, said: "It's set me up for life. The experiences we have had; you can't get them at our age. Right now there isn't enough being done to help young people."

Niall Grant, 17, from North Berwick, had already set up a business helping teenagers find jobs before the course. "It's given me self-awareness that I craved for," he said of the course. "It's let me be aware of my true strengths and told me that I can make a difference."

Chris Shaw, 17, from Cumnock, said: "It has opened up my eyes. I was going to be a PE teacher and then retire. Now I am going to change the world."

Caroline Fraser, 19, from Kirkhall, added: "I was wanting to make a lot of money, but I feel I want to put something back as well now."

Claire Smith, 19, from Monifieth, added: "It's raised the bar for us. I wouldn't be happy now running a small business. I want to do more".

Hunter has already begun recruiting a further small group for next year's course, which will be managed by the same foundation he runs, which also funds development programmes in Africa.

The tycoon started selling sports equipment from the back of his van before selling his Sports Division company in 1998 for £290m. He was valued last week at £1.05bn, the wealthiest man in Scotland.

In a speech marking the graduation last week, Hunter told the graduates: "Scotland is your home, but the world is your stage. Please never forget either of those things."