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2001 Conference - Rotorua
  
Creating Enterprising Communities
As an integral part of the Recovery Plan a progressive enterprise
initiative, entitled "Creating Enterprising Communities",
was also approved.
The Scottish Executive, in its "Smart, Successful
Scotland" publication, identifies the need for Scotland to
re-establish its entrepreneurial drive, and has challenged the
Enterprise Network to foster the development of the skills,
attitudes and expectations necessary to adapt to a changing society.
Within Dumfries and Galloway, this challenge has been exacerbated
by the Foot and Mouth crisis. As part of the Recovery Plan following
this epidemic, there is an urgent need to take immediate action to
create / rekindle a spirit of enterprise in the region across all
sections in the community.
The Fraser of Allander Institute has recently reviewed the
Business Birth Rate Strategy, identifying areas of success and under
performance, and making recommendations for its future direction.
One of the major successes has been in the radical change in
attitudes to entrepreneurship within education, and it is
recommended that "improving the long term supply of
entrepreneurs through education" remains a priority area.
The Project consists of a number of programmes:
1. Schools Enterprise Programme (5-14)
The Scottish Executive, and the private sector, are to invest ?5
million over the next three years in extending the successful
Enterprise Education programme. The Schools Enterprise Programme
embraces the objectives set out in the report "Enterprise
Education in Scotland: From Primary 1 to Plc" developed by
Scottish Enterprise with the support of the National Centre:
Education for Work and Enterprise, Education Business Partnerships,
and Local Authorities. That document establishes the strategic
context for Enterprise Education in Scotland, articulating it as the
need to "encourage our young people to be more enterprising and
adopt a "can do" approach to the challenges they face and
prepare them for the global and increasingly knowledge based
economy".
The Schools Enterprise Programme is a significant intervention,
designed to accelerate and deliver the Primary school sector
elements of Enterprise Education. Its aims are to :-
- Develop core skills
- Foster cooperation, confidence, and citizenship
- Extend young people's understanding and knowledge of the world
in which they live
- Develop enterprise skills and attitudes
- Increase awareness, knowledge and understanding of
entrepreneurship
- Develop new approaches to learning and teaching
The Schools Enterprise Programme is a Scotland wide initiative,
and the enterprise company has been successful in being awarded a
grant of ?135,000 over the next three years, to take the programme
forward. This grant must be used for the provision of a dedicated
Schools Enterprise Programme co-ordinator, as well as support for
schools within the region to implement the Schools Enterprise
programme. The enterprise company will manage the programme, in
partnership with the Education Business Partnership, and the
Council.
2. Get into Enterprise (GiE)
This programme was initially designed by Scottish Enterprise for
young people who were economically and socially disadvantaged, but
it has proved to be suitable for any clients for whom a personal
enterprise experience would be of benefit. The target range of
clients is now as diverse as Pre-Business Start-ups, undergraduates,
college students, school students 14+, as well socially and
economically excluded client groups. At present four modules have
been accredited by SQA (Scottish Qualifications Authority), and a
mapping exercise highlighting routes to certification within Higher
Still Awards is available. An online version of the learning
material is available to both tutors and students.
Objectives for this programme include :-
- To train a number of individuals to deliver the GiE programme
- To promote enterprise programmes
- To identify appropriate progression routes e.g. degree
provision
- To encourage participation and the development of self help in
areas where social exclusion is particularly pertinent]
- To encourage young people to start up in business
- To encourage adults to return to training
- To identify other needs which must be met in order to enhance
an individual's employment potential
- To formalise the links between educational provision of
enterprise and local businesses.
The Get into Enterprise Programme will be targeted at a number of
existing and potential client groups including : school pupils,
college students, university graduates, business start-ups (those in
the initial stages of considering self-employment e.g. pre-Business
Gateway), community groups (possibly delivered in conjunction with
the Facelift scheme, and Community Fund), and voluntary
organisations. Particular use will be made of ICT and remote
learning facilities.
After discussion with Scottish Enterprise (SE), and Dumfries and
Galloway College (DGCollege), which already has tutors approved to
deliver GiE, the enterprise company believes that working in
partnership with both SE and DG College, is the most effective way
of ensuring appropriate provision is delivered across Dumfries and
Galloway.
3. Enterprise Insight Scotland
Launched by the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and led by the UK's
three leading business organisations (British Chambers of Commerce,
CBI and Institute of Directors) this national enterprise campaign
will promote youth enterprise across Scotland, and will run several
high profile events both nationally and locally. In Dumfries and
Galloway, this would consist of a Youth Enterprise Showcase (one of
thirteen to take place across Scotland). Each showcase is aimed at
securing the interest and pro-active participation of the key target
audiences that include young people, the business and business
support agencies, key industry and enterprise partners, education,
and the wider community. It is expected that the D&G Youth
Enterprise Showcase to be held at the Crichton Campus on 5th
December 2001, will attract 600 young people and 250 from local
businesses and support agencies.
The key objectives of Enterprise Insight are:
- encouraging more positive attitudes towards enterprise
- developing more enterprising behaviours, skills and
capabilities
- increasing awareness, knowledge and understanding of
entrepreneurship
- promoting self-employment as a positive career option
An intermediate objective is to attract business support for
youth enterprise activity.
4. Watt Nicoll "Way to Go"
Personal Development Programme
A series of motivational events for local communities in remote
locations, to raise enthusiasm and aspirations, build self belief,
and give encouragement in self starting and taking responsibility.
This is seen as a first step to pre start-up courses like giE. Watt
Nicol an internationally renowned motivation guru, who has worked
with many high profile clients, including the England soccer team;
for the record, played 3 won 3, during his term of employment.
5. Other Potential
Programmes/Initiatives beyond 2001/2002
- Introduction of PrEP, the Enterprise New Zealand Trust primary
enterprise programme, a whole school approach to enterprise that
incorporates citizenship.
- Entrepreneurship Summer Schools, to include an intensive
five-day business simulation based on the Australian Business
Week.
- HE Entrepreneurship Modules: it is the intention to undertake
a scoping exercise to ascertain the most appropriate approach to
be adopted. Glasgow and Paisley Universities offer
entrepreneurship modules already, and the Hunter Centre for
Entrepreneurship at Strathclyde University also provides an
exciting model worthy of examination and possible adoption.
- Enterprise Bus : a mobile resource, for awareness raising, and
delivery in outreach areas.
Key Project Outcomes 2001/2002
| Course |
Outcomes |
| Schools Enterprise Programme |
2 primary schools identified as
exemplars in developing an enterprising school
140 primary school teachers trained in Enterprise Education
All primary schools to be delivering Enterprise Education
material including "Enterprising Infants", and
"Go for Enterprise" |
| Get Into Enterprise |
Numbers trained:
40 lecturers/teachers
300 school pupils
300 college students
60 university graduates
30 self-employed
30 voluntary sector staff
30 community based |
| Enterprise Insight Showcase |
To attend:
600 young people
250 from business, education, local agencies, etc. |
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