Enterprise Education

Author: Youth 2 Youth.

Enterprise Education is a related concept to VET as it aims to facilitate learning and experience to do with work and business, but more specifically - your own business. Enterprise Education therefore tends to focus on entrepreneurial enterprise, but can also provide valuable information and insight into more generic business acumen.

Enterprise Education programs assist young people to develop practical skills and attitudes relating to the management and operations of a business. There is no formal system of recognition or qualification for Enterprise Education programs. There are also a few run by businesses - like the programs run by Youth 2 Youth! Enterprise education programs are very different to award schemes, as they offer hands on training and ongoing support in most cases, and do not always offer a prize.

How do I find and participate in an Enterprise Education Scheme?

If you are in high school, this is quite easy, as there are many options. Explore the different programs available and either enter outside of school or talk to your Business Studies teacher or Career Adviser about having the program run at your school. If you are not at school but are school-aged, most of the programs will still be available to you.

If you're a VET or higher education student, or a young professional (not school-aged), it is increasingly difficult to find enterprise education opportunities. This, we understand, can be quite frustrating, as many of you would not have given the option of starting a business as a viable career path whilst you were at school, and you have only realised it once you left, or it is only now that you have the resources and ambition. The best thing you can do is to scour the available opportunities and ask if you can participate, or go and get some work experience with a variety of small businesses.

Here are a taste of some of the programs and schemes on offer!

PLUS: do an internet search to find more, or contact ECEF (the Enterprise Career Education Fund) for more information.

'Copyright 2003 Youth 2 Youth'

Disclaimer: This article is for your information, but it may not apply to or be suitable for your situation, so seek professional advice. Youth 2 Youth cannot be held liable for anything resulting from how you use the information provided in this article.