Description
In such a detailed elucidation relating to an education system fit for an entrepreneur.
All?Party Parliamentary
Group for Micro Businesses
February 2014
An Education System fit
for an Entrepreneur
Fifth Report by the All?Party Parliamentary
Group for Micro Businesses
Any enquiries regarding this publication should be sent to us at APPG for Micro Businesses, c/o Anne Marie Morris MP,
House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA
Printed by The Stationery Office Limited
2/14 37042 19585
Contents
Foreword by Anne Marie Morris MP...................................................................................................... 1
Foreword by Matthew Hancock MP – Minister of State (Skills and Enterprise) .................................... 3
Foreword by Fiorina Mugione, Chief, Entrepreneurship Section, Enterprise Development Branch,
Division on Investment and Enterprise, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
(UNCTAD) ................................................................................................................................................ 4
Author Biographies ................................................................................................................................. 5
1. Executive Summary of Findings ..................................................................................................... 8
2. Introduction? Enterprise and Entrepreneurship ............................................................................ 9
3. The Landscape – From Universities to Schools ............................................................................ 19
4. Primary School Experience........................................................................................................... 30
Case Study 1 ? Herringthorpe Infant School, Rotherham................................................................................. 31
Case Study 2 ? Hull ? Primary School Engagement in Global Enterprise Week ................................................ 33
Case Study 3 ? Craigfelen Primary School, Swansea, Wales............................................................................. 35
Case Study 4 ? Innovative Enterprise, Enterprise Soapbox (Commercial Product).......................................... 36
Case Study 5 ? (International) ? Building Enterprising Students Today (BEST) Project, New Zealand.............. 37
5. Secondary School Experience....................................................................................................... 39
Case Study 6 ? The Gazelle Colleges Group Schools Initiative.......................................................................... 43
Case Study 7 ? Business Studies Teacher, North East England......................................................................... 45
Case Study 8 ? Julie Derrick, Headteacher, Invicta Grammar School, Kent...................................................... 46
Case Study 9 ? Our Way, Plymstock School...................................................................................................... 49
Case Study 10 ? Studio Schools ........................................................................................................................ 50
Case Study 11 ? Monmouth Comprehensive School........................................................................................ 54
6. University and Colleges Role........................................................................................................ 57
Case Study 12 ? Gower College, Swansea; Sue Poole ...................................................................................... 78
Case Study 13 ? National Enterprise Educator 2013; Neil Coles ...................................................................... 79
Case Study 14 ? Manchester Met University.................................................................................................... 80
7. Role of the Business Community in Enterprise Education........................................................... 81
Case Study 15 ? Lloyds Bank Enterprise Mentoring: The Road to Economic Recovery.................................... 86
Case Study 16 ? Business in the Community (BITC) Case Study ....................................................................... 87
Case Study 17 ? Gazelle Colleges Group........................................................................................................... 90
Case Study 18 ? Enterprise Rockers.................................................................................................................. 90
8. Perspectives From Entrepreneurs................................................................................................ 92
Case Study 19 ? Opinion? Zoe Jackson, Living the Dream ................................................................................ 97
Case Study 20 ? Peter Harrington, Simventure ................................................................................................ 98
Case Study 21 ? Stephen Topfer, Founder, Winweb........................................................................................ 99
Case Study 22 ? PRIME ................................................................................................................................... 100
9. Conclusions and Recommendations .......................................................................................... 102
Appendix ? Full Contributions ............................................................................................................. 107
Appendix 1? Contributions From Entrepreneurs ................................................................................ 107
Zoe Jackson, Living the Dream....................................................................................................................... 107
Nikki Hesford, Made in Preston..................................................................................................................... 107
Jacob Hill, The Lazy Camper........................................................................................................................... 109
Peter Harrington, Founder, Simventure ........................................................................................................ 110
Drew Ellis, Founder, Like Minds..................................................................................................................... 111
Simon Barker, Founder, Radfan..................................................................................................................... 112
Joanna Montgomery, Founder, Little Riot ..................................................................................................... 113
Stephen Topfer, Founder, Winweb................................................................................................................ 113
Abdul Khan, Founder, Pass The Popcorn....................................................................................................... 114
Ronke Ige, Founder Emi and Ben................................................................................................................... 114
Appendix 2? Contributions From Agencies and Support Organisations ............................................. 116
Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative (SFEDI) ................................................................................. 116
National Enterprise Network ......................................................................................................................... 118
Forum of Private Business ............................................................................................................................. 119
Federation of Small Business ......................................................................................................................... 120
Business in the Community (BITC) ................................................................................................................. 122
Gazelle College Group.................................................................................................................................... 123
PRIME............................................................................................................................................................. 124
NACUE............................................................................................................................................................ 125
New Entrepreneurs Foundation .................................................................................................................... 126
The National Entrepreneurs’ Academy (NEA)................................................................................................ 127
The Prince’s Trust Enterprise Programme ..................................................................................................... 128
Full List of Contributors....................................................................................................................... 131
Useful Links ......................................................................................................................................... 134
Bibliography ........................................................................................................................................ 135
1
Foreword by Anne Marie Morris MP
I am delighted to see this much needed report see the light of day, providing, as it does for the first
time, an overview of enterprise education from the age of 4 to 44 and beyond. New small start?up
businesses are the lifeblood of our society – and most importantly our economy. I recently met a 9
year old who had just set up his own businesses. He said:”teachers just don’t get it”. Of course, many
do and there are some fabulous examples of best practice out there. But we don’t all know about it
and we don’t leverage it.
As founder and co chairman of the All?Party Group for Micro Businesses, I very much hope this, the
fifth report from this cross?party parliamentary group, makes its mark as a valuable contribution to
the debate and encourages Government to create a cohesive strategy for enterprise and
entrepreneurship education from primary school years through to retirement. This is not just a
matter for the Departments of Education and of Business Innovation and Skills. Success will mean a
culture change across all Government departments.
This report makes a number of recommendations, but key must be clarity of definition of enterprise
education, a review of the curriculum and mandatory inclusion of enterprise education throughout.
Delivering change will also require new approaches to teacher training and from OFSTED (including a
new measure of business engagement quite separate from the measure of community engagement)
and a change in the UUK, HEFCE and HE support mechanisms ? to require recipient bodies to offer an
at least optional module on entrepreneurship available to all disciplines; all students are encouraged
to consider themselves as enterprising individuals with the capacity for business start?up if they
choose to do so. Evidence would suggest that entrepreneurs do not for the most part come from
business schools, but from a variety of disciplines. This needs to be further researched and
understood.
A working group needs to be established between the Gazelle Colleges Group, universities and
business schools alongside the CBI, FSB, SFEDI and other business groups to put forward proposals.
Integrating work experience, education and mentoring with some funding support seems to provide
the best starting point, and Government support schemes need to be re?evaluated with this in mind.
The challenge is leveraging best practice in an affordable and cost effective way. A separate group
needs to be established to look at work returners.
Without full engagement of the business community progress cannot be made. We recommend
every LEP Board has at least two members from the SME community and LEP applications for
Government funding, for example under the Regional Growth Fund, should require evidence of their
engagement with the enterprise education agenda. While economic conditions are challenging,
Government should consider allowing businesses to set off expenses incurred in engaging in
enterprise education against their tax bill. One reason SMEs don’t engage as much as larger
businesses is they can’t afford to.
Finally and most importantly, I should like to pay tribute to all of the many individuals and
organisations across both the education and business community that contributed to the research
which underpins these findings and in particular to Stu Anderson MBA at Blue Serac, Professor Nigel
2
Culkin at the University of Hertfordshire, Professor Andy Penaluna at the University of Wales, Trinity
St David and Dr. Kelly Smith at the University of Huddersfield. This report has taken many months of
hard work and much late night oil has been burned. We have painted a broad vision and set an
ambitious agenda for Government. I hope we have added something of value to the agenda for
change.
Anne Marie Morris MP
Small Business Ambassador (South West)
Founder and Co Chair of All?Party Parliamentary Group for Micro Businesses
Conservative for Newton Abbott
February 2014
3
Foreword by Matthew Hancock MP – Minister of State
(Skills and Enterprise)
“Since it was formed in February 2011, the APPG on Micro Businesses has carried out excellent work,
looking at ways that Government can support small businesses.
Small and micro businesses are the lifeblood of the economy, and the APPG’s latest report is very
welcome. Every town, village and city in Britain has small firms run by enterprising and hardworking
people. This report looks at ways that we can use education to encourage others to think about
turning their talent and energy to building up a business. We should be backing them every step of
the way, right the way through the education system and beyond.
More small businesses, creating more jobs, are a vital part of a long?term plan for Britain’s future.
The Government welcomes the ideas put forward in this report, and will consider them in due
course. I would also like to thank Anne Marie Morris MP and the APPG for its valuable contribution
to boosting the economy of UK PLC.”
Matthew Hancock MP
4
Foreword by Fiorina Mugione, Chief, Entrepreneurship
Section, Enterprise Development Branch, Division on
Investment and Enterprise, United Nations Conference on
Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
"Changing mindsets and developing entrepreneurship requires an holistic approach. I commend this
document in its efforts to generate consensus for embedding entrepreneurship education at all
levels in the UK. This report fully reflects UNCTAD's Entrepreneurship Policy Framework Guidance".
Fiorina Mugione
5
Author Biographies
Stu Anderson MBA
Stu is a recognised expert on enterprise, business start?up and entrepreneurship and a well known
advocate in the UK’s enterprise and micro business sector.
His experience lies in working with organisations supporting entrepreneurs including the United
Nations, the EU and some of the UK’s biggest corporate names. His work has spanned the top level
of both the private and public sector in the UK working with various stakeholders such as Ministers,
Parliamentarians and CEOs on projects and policy. He was Executive Director of Shell LiveWIRE
before starting his own consultancy, Blue Serac (www.blueserac.com) last year. He was a co?founder
of the National Working Group for Youth Enterprise, is a member of the advisory board to the All?
Party Parliamentary Group on Entrepreneurship, a member of the ministerial ambassador group for
Global Entrepreneurship Week, a member of the Courvoisier Future 500, a Fellow of the Royal
Society of Arts, and serves as a member of the sub?committee of the All?Party Parliamentary Group
for Micro Businesses.
Stu has been involved in the sector for 20 years, with experience of advising over 2000 micro
business and small business start?ups. In addition, he is a part?time doctoral student researching the
perceptions and motivations of graduates in micro firms at Newcastle University. He has a long
history of living and working in the North East and now lives in Cornwall.
He has been a non?executive director of a number of organisations including the Institute of Small
Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE), the Union Society of Newcastle University and an advisory
board member to SFEDI and the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs. He holds an MBA and PG
Cert in Research Practice from Newcastle University.
Professor Nigel Culkin
Nigel Culkin is founding Director, Group for Research for Innovation and Enterprise (GRIE) and a
Senior Academic Manager at the University of Hertfordshire (UH). Over the past twelve years, he has
attracted, in excess of €24M investment to help implement the University’s Enterprise Strategy,
which has created or sustained over 75 enterprise posts at UH.
His impact on learning and teaching of enterprise has resulted in levels of student engagement in
enterprise approaching 70% across the university against average UK engagement levels of 16% and
24% across Europe.
He was awarded the title of Enterprise Educator at the UK National Enterprise Educator Awards in
2012 and in the same year was elected to the post of Deputy?President at the Institute for Small
Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE). He was Track Chair (Business Creation, Resource Acquisition
and Closure) for the 36th ISBE Conference Escape Velocity: Internationalising Small Business
Environments (ISBE, 2013)
6
Nigel currently serves as a member of sub?committee of the All?Party Parliamentary Group for Micro
Businesses in the House of Commons. Most recently, he was appointed Chair of the HEI Working
Group, supporting the Prime Minister’s, Enterprise Adviser Lord Young, with his forthcoming Review
of Enterprise Education (due to be published in May 2014).
Nigel is rightly acknowledged as an expert in the field of Enterprise Education. He is a member of the
Editorial Board of three ‘Enterprise?facing’ journals (incl. International Journal of Gender and
Entrepreneurship). He has published widely in the areas of enterprise education, small business
leadership and graduate and creative entrepreneurship, as well as completing projects for UK and
overseas Government agencies, large multinational organisations and Research Councils. Finally,
Nigel is also a Non?Executive Director on a number of high?technology early?stage ventures.
Professor Andy Penaluna
Andy Penaluna is Professor of Creative Entrepreneurship at the University of Wales, Trinity Saint
David (UWTSD) (formerly Swansea Metropolitan University). He has worked in Further and Higher
Education for over 30 years and first introduced enterprise into the curriculum in 1987. For the past
four years he has helped to develop and contribute to teacher education; his University has the UK’s
first fully validated PGCE / PCET module in entrepreneurship education.
As a designer who moved into teaching within business schools, following experience of running his
own enterprises, Andy teaches both creativity for businesses and business for creatives. He now
works closely with Welsh and UK Governments and also advises the European Commission and the
United Nations Conference for Trade and Development on enterprise education policy. As former
Chair of Enterprise Educators UK, the HEA’s Entrepreneurial Learning Group and the QAA’s
enterprise guidance team, he has authored and co?authored a series of papers and reports relating
to the teaching of entrepreneurship and enterprise.
Andy’s other roles include a Distinguished Visiting Professorship at the American University in Cairo,
a Visiting Professorship at the University of Leeds, and a Visiting Business Fellow / Advisor to the
Royal College of Art's professional development service for innovation ? ‘FuelRCA’. He also sits on the
Advisory Board of the Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative (SFEDI), the Government?
recognised sector skills body for enterprise and enterprise support, and the Institute of Enterprise
and Entrepreneurs.
Andy always acknowledges the support of his past students, who consistently inform his teaching
and keep him up to date with recent developments.
Dr Kelly Smith
Kelly Smith is the Head of Enterprise and a Principle Enterprise Fellow at the University of
Huddersfield, the Times Higher Education University of the Year 2013 and Entrepreneurial University
of the Year 2012. Kelly manages the University’s Enterprise Team, helping students and graduates
explore self?employment and business and social enterprise start?up. She also leads Graduate
7
Entrepreneurship Project, an ERDF?funded collaboration of Yorkshire and the Humber’s 10
universities. Alongside her work on business start?up support, Kelly is a senior Business School
academic leading on the University’s new 2013?2018 Learning and Teaching strategy theme on
‘Enterprising Students’ with the aim to provide all students at the University with an enterprise
learning opportunity by 2018.
Kelly is a Trustee of the Institute of Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Previously, she was a
Board Member and Chair of Enterprise Educators UK (EEUK), the national network of enterprise and
entrepreneurship educators in higher education, and was one of the first 5 EEUK Life Fellows to be
announced.
Kelly has a strong interest in the use of learning technologies and social media to support enterprise
education and early stage business start?up, and has a reputation as one of the most influential
enterprise educators on Twitter. She has a record of conference presentation and journal
publications on a range of topics including engagement with graduate business start?up, enterprise
skills training for postgraduate research students, and use of learning technology. Kelly was a
member of the writing panel for the highly influential Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) guidance for
enterprise and entrepreneurship education.
8
1. Executive Summary of Findings
There is no doubt that there is no shortage of support in the UK today for those who want to set up
in business. However, the main findings of this report suggest there is still much to do to offer the
entrepreneurs in the UK the right support they so desperately need to help them thrive rather than
just survive. There are calls from many organisations and individuals involved in supporting
entrepreneurs to further collaborate and maximize the quality support available across the board.
Support of this type and breadth will ensure that the learning journey of budding entrepreneurs is
covered at all ages and abilities and becomes as seamless as possible ? but most importantly, starts
early.
This report examines “Enterprise Education’ at all levels and across a number of countries using a
mix of previous research, case study examples and direct input from those working with
entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs themselves. It looks beyond the traditional educational
establishments to a selection of support programmes, to provide a holistic view of what is offered,
and how businesses themselves engage in the process. Whilst there is a plethora of excellent work
going on in the UK to support entrepreneurs, on the whole the report finds the support disjointed
and in many cases removed from the educational establishments who ideally should be providing
the basis for young people to flourish in the modern world. Entrepreneurs in the report who were
asked what would work highlighted the need for a robust enterprise education at school. Many felt
this kind of education enabling economic activity in the modern world was lacking.
The report makes a number of recommendations. It calls for enterprise education to be mandatory
in the curriculum for 4 to 18 year olds, with the Government having an overarching strategy across
departments on enterprise education. In a similar vein, enterprise education needs to be offered
across all courses and levels of tertiary education to improve the number and quality of business
start?ups. To facilitate this, current Government support needs to be re?evaluated, and engagement
between education and the SME sector needs to be increased and incentivized. All young people in
the UK need to identify with businesses, but particularly the SME sector and to be able to experience
as far as possible what it is like to work in, or own a small business.
9
2. Introduction- Enterprise and Entrepreneurship
Colton’s 1990 definitions propose that;
“The major objectives of enterprise education are to develop enterprising people and inculcate an
attitude of self?reliance using appropriate learning processes. Entrepreneurship education and
training programmes are aimed directly at stimulating entrepreneurship which may be defined as
independent small business ownership or the development of opportunity?seeking managers
within companies.”
1
In recent years this distinction has been helpful, not least because it offers educators the
opportunity to make distinctions between the enterprising person and the entrepreneurial business
developer and leader, and in terms of this discussion, can also be seen as helpful because the
enterprising mind and associated characteristics or behaviours are a necessary precursor to
entrepreneurship.
There is no dispute as to the importance of enterprise, entrepreneurship and micro businesses in the
growth agenda for the UK. There can also be no doubt that creative enterprising minds are needed
when it comes to issues of social enterprise and sustainability. There has however been a lack of a
coherent strategy as to how our education system from primary through secondary, tertiary and
beyond (including mature returning workers programmes and part time courses) can support this
access through the right kind of learning strategies.
The 2001 Council for Excellence in Management and Leadership’s report and witness testimonies on
UK SME’s does not specifically state micro enterprises; however its report does include evidence
from both micro enterprises and entrepreneurs. The evidence from entrepreneurs emphasized the
need for people abilities, as did the evidence from the SMEs. Due to the richness and thoroughness
of the research key themes emerged, which remain extremely helpful. For example they state that:
“Clearly, just providing training in the technicalities of business planning and finance will not fulfil
the need.”
2
This people?centred approach presents significant learning challenges according to the research.
They see the role of Government to be the arbitrators of a centralized approach and facilitators who
are charged with the drawing of strands of expertise together. Hence in many ways this review is
responding to a proposal made in 2002.
The good news is that these strands exist, and enterprise and entrepreneurship education already
happens in patches, right the way from the age of 4 to adulthood. However they appear to have
evolved in a disjointed unsustainable way, and are often reliant on keen enthused individuals rather
than clear policy support. It is generally well recognised that any strategy on education must be
1 Colton, T. (1990). "Enterprise Education Experience. A Manual for School Based Inservice Training." SDEC.
2 Perren, L. and P. Grant (2001). Management and Leadership in UK SMEs: Witness Testimonies from the World of
Entrepreneurs and SME managers. Council for Excellence in Management and Leadership. London: Summary Page.
10
integrated into an overarching growth strategy involving not just DfE (Department for Education) but
also BIS (Department for Business, Innovation and Skills), DWP (Department for Work and Pensions),
DCLG (Department for Communities and Local Governments) and Treasury – to name but a few of
the Government’s key players. We are aware that BIS has led the charge on such an overarching
growth strategy and welcome its recent paper in June 2013 looking specifically at the impact of early
stage curriculum?based enterprise in higher and further education on the growth agenda
3
, but this is
just one piece of a journey. Some would argue intervention at the tertiary stage is already leaving it
too late – an opinion which may explain why the BIS report failed to find a correlation between
curriculum?based enterprise education and setting up an enterprise, especially as this is a
longitudinal goal that misses an important aspect – that of employment within micro enterprises.
We also need intrapreneurs who help to shape new business ventures, in addition to the start?up
entrepreneurs themselves
4
.
Whilst there have been a number of individual pieces of research looking at different aspects of the
educational path, no UK?based piece of work consolidates findings or charts progress from the age
of 4 through 18 to adult learners, especially when seen through the lens of an all?party perspective
and in the context of international developments. Consequently there have been no fully integrated
policy proposals from Government or to Government. Coherent and well informed personal
perspectives such as that from Jamie Mitchell in late 2013
5
go some way toward this by linking
enterprise with youth unemployment, however there is an emphasis on schooling, and international
perspectives are not considered.
Evidence is emerging to suggest that compulsory enterprise activities in schools impact on later
engagement in Further and Higher Education. However the wrong type of education, such as where
students talk about enterprise as opposed to actively engaging and developing their skills, may have
negative results. For example, recent research by academics from Nottingham and Essex was
presented to the Institute of Small Business and Entrepreneurship. This found that:
“School based enterprise education has a valuable role to play in creating the next generation
of entrepreneurs, but only in conjunction with other sources of training. It is important
therefore that policymakers continue to develop enterprise education at all levels, but its form
and structure needs to be appropriate. If the objective of enterprise education is to prepare
and encourage individuals to become entrepreneurs it appears a holistic view needs to be
taken to ensure that all components of the training play the relevant role, without which it is
likely that resources will be wasted.”
6
3 Williamson, N., Beadle, S and Charalambous, S (2013) Enterprise Education Impact in Higher Education and Further
Education (2013). Enterprise Education Impact in Higher Education and Further Education:. London, ICF GHK on behalf of
the Department for Business Innovation and Skills.
4 "intrapreneur, An employee given the freedom to work independently within a company with the objective of
introducing innovation to revitalize and diversify its business. n.". OED Online. December 2013. Oxford University Press. 4
February 2014 .
5 Mitchell, J. (2013). Enterprise and Youth Unemployment – The Hidden Opportunity: A Report to Labour’s Youth Jobs Task
Force. London.
6 Piers, T., B. Street and K. Kwong (2013). Compulsory School Based Enterprise Education as a Gateway to an
Entrepreneurial Career. Proceedings of the 35th International Conference of the Institute for Small Business and
Entrepreneurship, Cardiff.
11
This paper proposes to fill this gap and to provide policy recommendations based on an international
evidence base. We are not alone; this is an international agenda that many have already started to
address. Hence we decided to look outward as much as inward in our search for solutions. Many
organisations and bodies appear to concur, for example in evidence to this report David Frost, the
Chair of the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) network commented to us that:
“It is clear that a lack of employability skills is harming the ability of the young to enter the
workforce and being enterprising is seen as a necessity by business.
The business leaders on LEPS are showing a real interest in getting involved with schools to
provide effective work experience, showcase how modern business operates and to highlight
the importance of enterprise. They are now strongly engaged with both Further and Higher
Education as well as schools.”
7
Why does a holistic approach matter rather than looking piecemeal at each of primary, secondary
and tertiary education? We need to recognise that education is no longer linear driven by age –
although at first sight it may appear so. School Federations and Academy groupings have blurred
the gap between primary and secondary school education.
8
University Technical Colleges and Studio
Schools have blurred the divide between education and work and thrown out of the window the
“16” transition age in our linear education system. These provide education from the age of 14 to 18
fully integrated into the world of work. Gazelle colleges
9
teach enterprise so that those leaving them
are able to and do establish their own businesses on leaving, but how could this experience inform
other levels of education? How could the research?informed Higher Education community offer
insights into what might be needed in schools or colleges?
Education is now about high achievement and choice, with a variety of routes and timelines for
achievement – with a hard steel core of academic attainment running through it. Education is
modular with individuals making the best choices to suit their abilities. Not only therefore is our
education not linear – but neither is the point of engagement with the world of work. Understanding
how learners learn provides us with evidence that enterprise and entrepreneurship need to be
engrained and taught early and in a sustainable way so that children are well prepared to make the
most of the opportunities ? whenever they occur.
Any educator aims to ensure that the assessment that they undertake with learners is meaningful
within the context and nature of the challenge. For example, writing an essay about riding a bike
might help the writer to understand and talk about the process, but is unlikely to develop all the
skills needed for the actual task of riding a bike, which can only be evaluated through actual
demonstration. The same argument applies to most educational evaluations and assessments, but
the argument is often negated by the need to have more easily measured outputs that can be
assessed and processed more readily by the teacher. Additionally, such measurements can easily be
compared and contrasted, thus making standardisation and target meeting a much easier
proposition. Unfortunately, it also filters out some of the very attributes that we wish to develop.
7 Correspondence from David Frost – Chair of the Local Enterprise Partnership network.
8http://www.education.gov.uk/b00229234/becoming?an?academy
9http://www.gazellecolleges.com
12
In 2005 the US National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE
10
) commissioned a paper
entitled ‘The Sources of Innovation and Creativity’. Part of their discussion critiques the ‘standard’
tools that we employ in education, for example reward mechanisms for getting things 100% correct
and the lack of motivation derived from assessment that is not fully understood by the learner. Their
recommendations included redesigning curricula to take account of what they describe as
‘successful intelligence’ ? through an understanding as to how the creative mind worked and the
development of motivational problem?driven assignments. Games and play, understanding the
inherent problems of teaching to the test and an increase in interdisciplinary learning all feature as
solutions in their recommendations. Perhaps most pertinent however is the emphasis they place on
promoting the integration of entrepreneurship into junior high and high school, simply because it
helps pupils to understand if entrepreneurialism is right for them.
11
The message here is clear – if pupils do not experience entrepreneurial learning, then how can they
make meaningful choices as to whether or not it suits them as an individual?
“…the disjoint between the education system and the business community is exacerbated by a
lack of a duty on schools to provide enterprise education and work? related learning. That is a
large reason why the FSB has chosen to support Young Enterprise as its charity for the next
three years – to play our part in bridging this gap.”
12
Thus the importance of understanding what performance indicators can be meaningfully evaluated
or measured following a programme of entrepreneurial learning cannot be understated. The
OECD
13
conducted a survey in 2009 and found that entrepreneurial education programs aim to
generate not only ‘hard’ outputs that are relatively easy to measure, for example a business plan or
a survey ‘about’ past events in entrepreneurship, but they also consider important ‘soft’ outputs
such as a shift in attitude towards future visioning skills and an ability to evaluate opportunities
when not all the data or information is available. These ‘soft’ results such as changes in attitudes and
mindset, including innovative ways of working, do not align with traditional output?related
performance indicators.
For example, if an educator unfamiliar with this territory sets an assignment with a known and
carefully specified outcome, they may inadvertently be limiting the learner’s opportunity to look to
alternative solutions and to find new ways of solving problems. More importantly, any educational
assessment will be measuring against the educator’s capacity to visualise the solution – not the
learner’s. The result may be easy to measure, but will most likely be lacking in important types of
thinking ? such as seeing alternative solutions or possibly recognising and considering a deeper
problem that underlies the problem presented. Henry Ford’s response of “If I asked people what
they wanted they would have said faster horses” typifies this perspective.
10 Please note that the US National Center on Education and the Economy and the UK’s National Centre for
Entrepreneurship in Education are two distinct and different bodies.
11 Adams, K. (2005). New York, National Center on Education and the Economy for the new Commission on the Skills of the
American Workforce.
12 Federation of Small Businesses (2014). Small Business and Government: Delivering Enterprise, Growth and Skills. Policy
Conference Brochure.
13 GHK: (2011). Order 121 ? Study on Support to Indicators on Entrepreneurship Education.
13
The value of current knowledge and its delivery has to be questionable in an environment where
change occurs at great pace and the ability to harvest knowledge as and when needed becomes
more important than being reliant on the recollection of facts and figures. This adds a new
dimension to any entrepreneurship?related educational debate. Simply put, what is a correct
solution today may not be a successful solution tomorrow. In this complex learning environment,
despite the abundance of information, processing it and linking and connecting becomes the
imperative, not merely recalling it. ‘Self Efficacy’, for example the confidence to try something out
and to survive repeated failures, is often as reliant on motivational drivers as it is knowledge.
Understanding these issues is at the very centre of entrepreneurial learning. As Shima Barakat of the
University of Cambridge’s Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning explains:
“What is needed is a more sophisticated understanding of the impact of the differing
pedagogical approaches... We argue that self?efficacy provides a robust and legitimate
construct that can be used for the design and the evaluation of entrepreneurship education in
all its forms and guises which allows for a blend of approaches as it addresses the outcomes of
the education independent of pedagogical method. This approach supports inter?programme
comparison and thereby can be usefully employed in the assessment of return on investment
to institutions and society and ultimately the future resourcing of programmes.
…Entrepreneurial Self?Efficacy (ESE) can be simply understood as a person’s belief in their own
ability to undertake actions that relate specifically to being entrepreneurial… The reason that
ESE is used is that it has been positively correlated with entrepreneurial intention, resilience,
future activity and performance which make it both an excellent outcome objective for
Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Education (EEE) and an excellent outcome measure.”
14
Experts such as psychologist Theresa Amabile are well versed in these kinds of argument, and
question some of the institutionalisation that we see in modern teaching systems, asking us to check
what we are doing in terms of motivational activities such as being creative and trying new things
out for ourselves.
“Creativity is undermined unintentionally every day in work environments that were
established for entirely good reasons to maximize business imperatives such as coordination,
productivity, and control… in working toward these imperatives, they may be inadvertently
designing organizations that systematically crushes creativity.”
15
Other metrics and assumptions may also need to be challenged. For example Goleman’s research
with in excess of 200 companies in 2004 concluded that emotional intelligence proved twice as
important for determining success as IQ and technical skills.
16
Lombardo and Roddy’s 2011 study for
14 Extracted from evidence supplied by Dr Shima Barakat, University of Cambridge, Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning
15 Amabile, T. (1997). "How to Kill Creativity." Harvard Business Review: 77.
16 Goleman, D. (2004). "What makes a leader?" Ibid. 82(1): 82?91.
14
IBM involved 1500 CEO’s and identified creativity as the most important leadership quality for
dealing with our increasingly complex world.
17
Themes such as developing autonomy and independent thought feature strongly in these types of
discussions, and being ‘absolutely right’ seems less valuable once it is realized that without new
ideas, and arguably many of them, an entrepreneur loses one of their most potent resources. This
observation also rings true in UK?based research that considered the innovative success of
management training by surveying over 850 members of the Chartered Management Institute. The
findings indicated that while management training was good for developing skills in evaluating ideas,
it was shown to be extremely poor in terms of developing new ideas. Only 4% of respondents felt
that innovation was ‘not at all’ or ‘not very’ important, thus emphasizing the need for innovation.
The concluding remarks note that, “leadership or management training was not found in this
analysis to be a good predictor of levels of idea generation… Arguably, leadership and management
training has a greater impact on the implementation of ideas than on their generation.”
18
It is understandable that any entrepreneur or business person needs to understand finance to
survive, or to at least have a friend or colleague who can advise them. We also know that being able
to connect with people and being able to draw upon a range of alternative ideas helps the
entrepreneur to see things in different ways and to seize upon opportunity, and that it is this ability
to see new opportunities and to grasp them which makes entrepreneurs distinct from more
traditional business owners. Thus networking skills and communication skills take centre stage.
To take this a step further, if something is new and surprising, justifying finance and justifying
support becomes an even more important aspect of communication. Organisations such as the
Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) and the CBI always rank communication skills as being
important in any employability or enterprise?related agenda, and as the CBI state:
“Employability covers a broad range of non?academic or softer skills and abilities which are of
value in the workplace. It includes the ability to work in a team; a willingness to demonstrate
initiative and original thought; self?discipline in starting and completing tasks to deadline.”
19
In a keynote speech, Carl Gilliard of the AGR pointed out to delegates at Exeter University’s 2013
staff development event on employability and enterprise that teamwork, problem solving,
communication, as well as self?management, served both agendas well.
20
The University’s
innovations and responses to these understandings were one reason why AGR awarded them the
coveted ‘Best Entrant Overall’ Blue Ribbon Award in 2012, the first University ever to receive it.
21
17 Lombardo, B., J and R. D. J (2011). Cultivating Organizational Creativity in an Age of Complexity. Somers, NY, IBM
Institute for Business Value.
18 Patterson, F. K., M. (2009). Innovation for the recovery: Enhancing innovative working practices. London, Chartered
Management Institute.
19 See:http://www.cbi.org.uk/business?issues/education?and?skills/in?focus/employability
20http://as.exeter.ac.uk/educationconference13/keynotepresentationsandresources
21http://www.agr.org.uk/Press?Releases/AGR?announces?2012?award?winners?#.UrQX9JXwefQ
15
So, in terms of micro enterprises and entrepreneurship education what can we learn from such
observations? What aptitudes, mindsets and skills are we seeking to engender? Perhaps more
importantly, why hasn’t this happened and where are the barriers to development?
Whilst it is far from simple territory and therefore potentially difficult to navigate in specialist
literature, recent developments in understanding brain functionality can offer some important
insights.
We know that learning never stops as the brain continuously reinvents itself, and we also know that
parts that fall into disuse eventually get ‘pruned’, primarily because the brain doesn’t wish to waste
resources on elements that are not used. In many ways this mirrors the approaches that were
attributed to advertising agent E St Elmo Lewis over 100 years ago. His ‘AIDA’ strategy for effective
advertising is intended to sequentially develop attention, interest, desire and action. This can also be
argued as pertinent to educational contexts, as students who are not attentive are losing interest,
and their emotional desire to learn is reduced. Relevance is key; if it makes sense it is useful, and the
brain saves the connections it needs to ensure the link is recalled.
We must also be aware that a significant amount of brain growth happens before puberty sets in.
Post?puberty, the brain starts to protect the neural networks and cognitive processes that it has
invested a great deal of energy in creating. After this the brain is far more conservative in its
development, and stimuli take longer to impact on neurological growth.
22
Creativity, in very simple
terms, is the new connections that are made within the brain, and this is why younger people can be
more creative than older people – because they have the circuitry to try things out. Established
connections are like well?trodden pathways and help us to use intuition and to process important
information quickly. New paths, however, can easily be lost and forgotten and within seconds are
lost if not recorded or made relevant. Koestler clarifies this by explaining that originality has the aim
of breaking habitual thinking processes.
23
This reinforces the view that “We learn more by failed
experiments than from confirming ones”.
24
So how does this equate with what we do in education for innovation? The essential elements are
these: we need to permit failure (in the context of not always fulfilling anticipated responses and
considerations), let learners articulate why they failed, and above all, we need to give them
opportunity to suggest and argue many alternative solutions and not simply single answers.
There is another aspect to consider: ‘relaxed cognition’, is a type of thinking that can easily be
understood if we think about having a tense argument with someone, and then when relaxed at a
later juncture we suddenly find ourselves thinking of better and more constructive things that we
could have said. Research has shown that best ideas come when you are relaxed, with research
commentaries mentioning things like being in the shower or walking the dog. Learners need periods
22 For more in depth discussions see: Puk, T (2012) The influence of neurobiology on lifelong ecological literacy and
ecological consciousness, International Journal of Environmental and Science Education, 7 (1), 3?18. and Immordino?Yang,
M H and A. Damasio (2011) Learning Landscapes, Mind Brain and Education: Implications for Educators, Learning
Landscapes, 5 (1), 115?132.
23 Koestler, A. (1964). The Act of Creation. London, Hutchinson.
24 McWilliam, E. (2008). The Creative Workforce: How to launch young people into high?flying futures,. Sydney, University
of New South Wales Press Ltd.
16
of slow as well as pressurised learning.
25
There is a serious implication that we need to consider
here. Creativity days and occasional brainstorming exercises probably do very little to help to
develop long?term brain structuring.
Although we have found no similar investigations in the UK, it is useful to consider research that
indicates a significant decline in creative thinking scores in US schools. Using the Torrance Tests of
Creative Thinking (TTCT), and a sample of 272,599 pupils (kindergarten to fourth grade), evidence
suggests that the decline is steady and persistent. According to the authors this can be partially
correlated to the introduction of standardised testing and the limiting of the arts, coupled with
restricted playtime. These have negatively impacted on the teachers’ and pupils’ ability to think
creatively, imaginatively and flexibly.
26
Furthermore, UK researcher Craft suggests that:
“When it comes to creativity in schools in particular, the second half of the 20th century can
be seen as having experienced first a drought.”
27
Her comments reflect a period from 1989 when a standardized National Curriculum replaced a
predominantly child?centered approach. Other teacher training researchers assert that this demise
has been widely voiced but has received scant attention, possibly because:
“…the metric of evaluation has leant towards the reductionist and abstracted perspective that
can be easily measured and compared; it does not address the complexities of creative
individualized thought.”
28
The recent engagement with the theory of Effectuation has started to take this thinking into
account; it is less about long term planning, and more about creatively managing projects through
interim and ever?changing stages.
29
Herein lies another issue; if we deliver education in fixed pre?
planned steps and announce intentions beforehand, any learning evaluations will only be checking
against known knowledge and known timescales, which leads us to the next area to consider, that of
being flexible and adaptable in situations of ambiguity and risk.
In order to address this issue we must first become aware that analytical thinking and conceptual
thinking within educational experiences are quite different, though both are needed. Analysis needs:
“Ability to think logically, break things down, and recognise cause and effect” whilst conceptual
thinking requires an “Ability to see patterns and connections, even when a great deal of detail is
25 For more in depth discussions see: Fletcher, P C, Anderson, J M, Shanks, D R, Honey, R, Carpenter, T A, Donavan, T,
Papdakis, N and Bullmore E T (2001) Responses of the human frontal cortex to surprising events are predicted by formal
associative learning theory, Nature Neuroscience, 4 (10), 104?1048. Also: Kounios J, Frymiare, J L, Bowden, E M, Fleck, I,
Subramaniam, K, Parish Y B.
and Jung?Beeman, M (2006) The Prepared Mind: Neural Activity Prior to Problem Presentation Predicts Subsequent
Solution by Sudden Insight, Psychological Science, 17 (10), 882?890.
26 See: Kim, K. H. (2011). "The Creativity Crisis: The Decrease in Creative Thinking Score on the Torrance Tests of Creative
Thinking." Creativity Research Journal 23(4): 285?295.
27 Craft, A. (2008). Creativity in the school: from drought to tsunami.
28 Grainger, T., J. Barnes and S. Scoffham (2004). "A creative cocktail: creative teaching in initial teacher education."
Journal of Education for Teaching: International Research and Pedagogy 30(3): 243.
29Read, S., S. Sarasvathy, N. Dew, W. R and A.?V. Ohlsson (2011). Effectual Entrepreneurship. London, Routledge..
17
present”.
30
Therefore we come to realize that teachers “need the competencies to constantly
innovate and adapt”
31
so that they do not only teach the approach, they can demonstrate it
themselves. This also infers more teacher flexibility and adaptability in their curriculum, so that new
ideas and newsworthy events can be incorporated into the learning – which in turn will make it more
real, more relevant and importantly, more suited to the needs of entrepreneurial intention and
support.
The above infers an educator’s ability to be able to present incomplete information – to allow
students to make discoveries, shift schedules and adapt classroom scheduling – to provide a more
realistic experience that relates to the working world, and to encompass real events and real
scenarios that add relevance to the learning process.
There is one more point to add here, and that is that creativity?aware “Assessors strive to eliminate
imitation, adaption or recall, by engaging the students… on a task that should be new”
32
. It therefore
becomes the role of the educator to create relevant tasks that test the learner’s abilities to see new
ways of thinking and to facilitate meaningful engagement both within and outside the classroom.
If we agree that enterprising people need to be creative and innovative in order to spot
opportunities to act upon, and that they need to have an understanding of business as well as to
have knowledge in one or more specific areas of study, then a picture emerges.
The model throws the emphasis on the need to enhance innovation and creativity and to
understand that career considerations need not impact prematurely within any educational system.
30 European Commission (2012). Supporting the Teaching Professions for Better Learning Outcomes, European
Commission.
31 Ibid.
32 See: Cowan, J (2006) How should I assess creativity?, in Jackson, N, Oliver, M, . Shaw M and Wisdom, J (eds.),
Developing Creativity in Higher Education: An imaginative curriculum, Oxon: Routledge, pp. 156?172.
18
Early skills development can continue within a wide range of topics and subjects, and can be
supplemented with early stage fiscal understandings and business imperatives. As the educational
experience evolves, these may become more focused within course options and ultimately for
example, within career choice?making for college or university. Curiosity should always drive the
process of learning – through experiences that challenge thinking and are seen to be relevant to the
learners’ own aspirations.
The model sits well with the Royal Society of Arts (RSA), who have been a source of enterprise
understanding for over 250 years. Their collaboration with RBS in recent reports such as Disrupt tells
us that young people are already challenging the conventions of entrepreneurship
33
. For example
the stereotype image of the loner who plans well ahead and is driven by making money needs a
complete overhaul, and in contrast, lean collaborative and sometimes accidental entrepreneurs
abound, but motivation and determination are key factors for success.
The RSA’s Manifesto for Youth Enterprise talks about three pillars of inspiration, education and
enabling and then growth. Clearly, if properly managed, education can help to inspire, inform and
educate, and critically offer experiences that are meaningful in an enterprise education context.
Only then will their aim of threading learning throughout education have the potential to be
realized. A goal from their manifesto is a useful way to conclude this chapter:
“Thread enterprise learning throughout education – enterprise education can have a powerful
impact in developing both the soft and hard skill sets of young people. Yet sometimes it is left
on the margins of the curriculum, meaning it only reaches the most proactive students. More
young people could be exposed to enterprise?related learning by embedding it throughout
school curricula and FE/HE courses.”
34
Key Findings
• Based on an international perspective, our review covers well?trodden ground.
• Innovation is central to entrepreneurial learning and creative approaches to education
provides the foundation to build on.
• Evidence suggests that learning for innovation needs to be implicit and not seen as a bolt?on
experience.
• Our education systems need to deliver knowledge harvesters, not merely knowledge
retainers
• Flexibility and adaptability are key skills and behaviours, yet many educational systems
conspire against them
• Learning from experience includes the experience of being taught – the teacher can be a
role model to emulate.
33 RSA (2013). Disrupt Inc: How Young People are Challenging the Conventions of Entrepreneurship,. London:, RSA and RBS
Inspiring Enterprise.
34 RSA (2013). A Manifeso for Youth Enterprise. London, RSA and Royal Bank of Scotland.
19
3. The Landscape – From Universities to Schools
In the United States the origins of enterprise education can be traced back to 1947
35
, and over the
past 20 – 30 years there has been a raft of evidence gathering as to why enterprise and
entrepreneurship education is so important, not only for young people, but also for those returning
to a much changed and ever?realigning workplace. This evidence gathering has not been limited to
the US as it has been an issue of international concern. For example, from 1991 to 2010,
Internationalizing Entrepreneurship Education and Training (IntEnt), a yearly academic conference
on empirical research of entrepreneurship education, ran on all continents: Europe, North?/South
America, Asia, Australia, Africa, USA and Mexico. Our focus in our discussions is Europe and of
course the UK, however despite cultural differences, we will reference other international
perspectives when they are pertinent.
In the UK, the Secretary of State for Employment launched an Enterprise in Higher Education
Initiative (EHE) in December 1987. This had the now somewhat familiar objective, of producing
graduates who were better able to adapt to a rapidly changing world of work. £70 million from the
Employment Department was made available to 63 higher education institutions to develop
enterprise education programmes within the curriculum. The first 11 higher education institutions to
enter the Initiative were announced in 1988. It was very soon realized that enterprise education
could not be imposed on staff, and that each institution worked differently. Plymouth University for
example had some cross faculty developments in addition to specifics delivered within coursework.
Sheffield University focused on existing initiatives in personal skills development across the entire
university, even prehistory and archaeology students got involved, and their lecturers reported that
the enterprise approach was more relevant to their needs than other staff development activities
that they had experienced. The Open University focused on a portfolio approach within a personal
and career development programme.
70 audits were undertaken and comments relating to enhanced creativity and high success rates and
the term ‘enterprise’ became short hand for new approaches to teaching and learning. The reader
may find it interesting to know that this evaluation does not come from the UK, but from an
education review in Australia that wished to emulate the successes achieved.
36
The Science and Enterprise Challenge (UKSEC) was set up with the aim of establishing a network of
centres in UK universities that specialised in the teaching and practice of commercialisation and
entrepreneurialism within the field of science and technology. 12 Science Enterprise Centres were
established in UK universities in the first round of the competition in 1999/2000, with £28.9m of
Government funding. In October 2001 a further £15 million of awards was offered, and in
recognition of the work achieved, it was decided to incorporate the work of the centres into the
second round of Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF).
37
35 Vesper, K. H. and W. B. Gartner (1997). "Measuring progress in entrepreneurship education." Journal of Business
Venturing 12(5): 403?421.
36 Murphy, M. (1996). Preparing Students for the World of Work: Some Lessons from the United Kingdom Enterprise in
Higher Education Initiative, Curtin University of Technology ? Research and Development in Higher Education.
37 From archived information received from Enterprise Educators UK. Information on HEIF can be found at: http://www.hefce.ac.uk/whatwedo/kes/heif/
20
By July 2002 eminent UK professors such as David Kirby not only produced useful texts for UK
educators,
38
he also provided online student and lecturer support, heralding the type and nature of
thinking that is prevalent today. Kirby also brought an international perspective through
engagement with the International Entrepreneurship Education and Training Conference (IntEnt),
culminating in a conference of over 250 international delegates at the University of Surrey in 2005.
39
This Government?funded activity UKSEC ultimately transformed itself into what is now a self?funding
independently run network of over 100 institutions including 98 Universities. It became Enterprise
Educators UK (EEUK), which is an example of a success of a Government initiative, as it enterprisingly
kept going after funding ceased, primarily because of the demand and support of the educators
within the network.
UKSEC (or now EEUK) joined forces with a new Government initiative; the National Council for
Graduate Entrepreneurship (NCGE) in 2006 to run a series of International Entrepreneurship
Educators Conferences (IEEC), the most recent was hosted by Sheffield University in September
2013. Reflecting the changing landscape, NCGE rebranded itself in 2011 to become the National
Centre for Enterprise Education (NCEE)
,
40
and continues to serve the community in other joint
projects such as the International Entrepreneurship Educator’s Programme (IEEP)
41
and through
initiatives such as the Entrepreneurial University Leaders Programme (EULP).
42
Much of this
development has relied on the pioneering work of Professor Allan Gibb OBE, who recently critiqued
the BIS Report ‘Enterprise Education Impact in Higher Education and Further Education’ for
colleagues at the Sheffield University?hosted IEEC event. Notably the conference and his
presentation were reported worldwide, for example at the Nigerian Enterprise Development Centre
at the Pan?Atlantic University (Formerly Pan?African University)
43
.
The pairing of EEUK and NCEE has also led to a nationally recognised awards programme, the
National Enterprise Educator Awards (NEEA)
44
, and one of this year’s winners, Neil Coles of Cardiff
University, (through his A?Z of entrepreneurship in the curriculum) evidenced how enterprise and
entrepreneurship can be a pan?university activity designed not only for the University’s Business
School, but for all areas of study. Specifically the Awards recognise:
• Enterprise Educators – who are transforming the enterprise curriculum
• Enterprise ‘Champions’ – who are supporting extra?curricular activities
• Student Educators – who are supporting peer learning and development
• Enterprise Society Champions – who are champions or educators supporting, growing and
engaging their student enterprise societies (individuals can only be nominated by student
enterprise societies).
38 Kirby, D. (2002). Entrepreneurship. New York:, McGraw?Hill Higher Education.
39http://portal.surrey.ac.uk/portal/page?_pageid=799,506805and_dad=portaland_schema=PORTAL
40 www.ncee.org.uk
41http://ieeponline.com
42 See:http://eulp.co.uk
43http://www.pau.edu.ng/enterprise?development?centre1
44http://ncee.org.uk/entrepreneurship_education/educator_awards
21
Set against these educator?based initiatives is the research undertaken over the past 30 years by the
Institute of Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE). ISBE not only deliver an annual series of
papers that specialize in discussions around the topic of entrepreneurship education, but also
informs debate through extensive research into how small companies work and function, what their
key issues are, and how research can inform active changes. Much of ISBE’s work is relevant to this
discussion, as robust academic evidence taken from business and enterprise is aligned to education
and enterprise enhancement.
45
Other enterprise educator support organisations include one set up
specifically for Russell Group universities, and the Higher Education Entrepreneurship Group
(HEEG)
46
across the South East of England.
Recent and relative newcomers to the scene are the student?based body NACUE
47
who formed
under the Oxford University enterprise society champion Victoria Lennox in 2009 with the aim to
support student?led enterprise societies. Lennox subsequently received the Queens Award for
Enterprise Promotion and the organisation is moving into the Further Education sector, supported
by the Department of Business Innovation and Skills.
Of course enterprise and entrepreneurship have a social dimension; it is not simply about making
money but also looking at issues such as sustainability and community concerns. Another leader in
supporting universities to support social entrepreneurship is UnLtd,
48
who with HEFCE support have
resourced and informed hundreds of individuals.
The overarching UK University sector’s Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Education Guidance was
developed and produced through the Quality Assurance Agency following demand from the
enterprise education community in 2010, primarily through a call from educators working within the
Higher Education Academy’s Subject Centre in Business, Management, Accountancy and Finance
(HEA?BMAF)
49
and supported by feedback from both FE and HE delegates at the IEEC event in Cardiff
2010. These delegates responded to key issues in an instant feedback session using ‘clickers’ and the
views that were recorded directly informed the IEEC Concordat
50
, which made 5 important calls for
action:
• Integration and pathways to be developed so that schools, colleges and universities can
provide a continuous and integrated approach that will help our learners to develop the
lifelong skills needed to be enterprising and entrepreneurial.
• Improved support and leadership that helps to drive forward the entrepreneurial mission
across institutions, at all levels.
45 See:http://www.isbe.org.uk
46http://www.heeg.org.uk/
47 www.nacue.com? also provide contribution in appendix
48 UnLtd resource community entrepreneurs to start?up; support those with more established ventures to scale up; and
are committed to developing an eco?system of support to make it easier for those who need help to find it. HEFCE and
UnLtd are currently partnering on SEE Change and working with 59 universities to help mainstream and embed social
entrepreneurship support within the HE sector. See:http://unltd.org.uk/about_unltd/
49 HEA?BMAF’s Special Interest Group in Entrepreneurial Learning collaborated with EEUK, NCGE and other partners
including hosts Leeds Metropolitan University. They engaged in first dialogues with QAA on 26 February 2010. See: http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/business...sigs/260210_shaping_quality_and_assessment_in
_entrepreneurship_education
50 IEEC (2010). IEEC Concordat
22
• Clarity of impact measures and associated funding priorities so that we can work to develop
a more sustainable, transparent and appropriate approach to developing these capacities.
• Improved guidance on issues of quality and assessment, so that a more coherent yet flexible
framework will enable educators to embed more enterprising approaches in their
curriculum.
• Recognition and reward nationally, regionally and institutionally to support those working
within a fragile environment of short term funding by providing career progression and
recognised development opportunities – for the ultimate benefit of regions and institutions
as well as individuals (staff and students).
Formed in January 2012 within the FE Sector, the Gazelle Group of Colleges
51
are having impact and
driving forward similar thinking. Using models imported from Babson College in the USA
52
that link
innovation with enterprise, it might be thought that their approaches could differ significantly from
UK based initiatives. As is evidenced in this review, this is far from the case, and in many ways, US
and UK perspectives are moving closer together. For example, just like the recently finalized
Entrepreneurial University concept
53
, they are tackling issues such as incubation space, senior
management direction and curriculum development within the FE environment. Gazelle Colleges
Group is also looking to support the school sector in a coherent and organised way, and comments
from their initial discussions are included in this report.
Acknowledged leaders in the schools field include ‘Ready Unlimited’
54
, the Rotherham based
initiative that has successfully piloted and run a range of enterprising initiatives despite faltering
financial support and an uncertain future in terms of funding. Their Hubs model and their “Big 13”
list,
55
which was developed by stakeholders from both business and education, also aligns well with
other guidance discussed here, but has relevance to the community it serves as its core. Following
two visits to their schools to hear about what level of support they receive from teachers, parents
and their communities, this report considers that there is much to learn from the enterprising
youngsters whose education has been built on pillars that support the national curriculum and
standards, but that are fundamentally different in their educational approaches. When a young pupil
asks a teacher “When do I get my enterprise entitlement?” the value of such teaching really strikes
home.
56
Other informed parties include Young Enterprise, who are a leading enterprise education charity
that inspires success through enterprise. Bodies such as these may offer important insights, primarily
because of their ‘joined up’ way of connecting different levels of education and drawing upon the
experiences and feedback of alumni. Young Enterprise also commissions research to inform its
actions and deliberations; they consider the Government to have a lack of focus on the skills,
51 Gazelle Colleges Group was formed in January 2012 to transform further education for a changing world of work. It is
developing innovative new learning models and new partnerships with business to deliver an improved outcome for
students, their communities and the economy. See:http://www.gazellecolleges.com
52 Babson College are acknowledged to be one of the leaders in the field of entrepreneurship education. The Arthur M
Blank Center for Entrepreneurship was established in 1998 and focuses on the development of entrepreneurship of all
kinds. See:http://www.babson.edu/Academics/centers/blank?center/Pages/home.aspx
53 OECD (2012). A Guiding Framework for Entrepreneurial Universities, European Commission / OECD
54http://www.rotherhamready.org.uk/ready?hubs/
55http://www.rotherhamready.org.uk/the?big?13/
56 Pupil feedback during a meeting at Wingfield Academy on 2 July 2013. See:http://www.wingfield.rotherham.sch.uk
23
attitudes and behaviours that young people need in their working lives, and they call for enterprise
education to be established in the school curriculum. The sheer numbers that Young Enterprise
engages with also make them worthy of consideration in any future dialogues:
“…the academic year 2012/13, Young Enterprise had 77,000 students registered for our
primary programmes. Excluding Northern Ireland, this drops to 44,000.”
57
The Enterprise Education Trust make the point that much of the discussion has revolved around
what young people learn, as opposed to the evolving discussions as to how people learn.
58
As has
been touched upon in Chapter 2, at the university level this has started to take hold, and informed
by recent findings in psychology, memory types and neurology, is moving beyond this stance. What
is more, the HE sector also recognizes other points made in their discussion, for example the need to
embrace a whole school approach, the need to enhance enterprise understanding in teachers and
ensuring a real world approach. Thus consistency and connectivity is apparent.
The Trust further point out that research from Demos suggests that capabilities including effective
communication, teamwork, applying oneself to tasks and committing to long term goals are now as
important as academic ability in predicting earnings by the age of 30.
59
Their overall conclusions
state that enterprise education needs to be integrated across the curriculum if it is going to be
effective, that students need to be inspired by enhanced engagement with business and industry,
and that careers guidance needs to be overhauled to better align to the changing needs of young
people. They also note that to achieve these aims, enterprise education should be an aspect of
teacher training.
Other insights can be gleaned from the Edexcel BTEC vocational programmes of study, which
represent almost half of the approved high?quality non?GCSE qualifications in the UK. Edexcel BTEC
are recognized for their quality of provision and the progression opportunities they offer their
learners, some of which appear to align well with the needs of enterprise education. In December
2013 they announced that 87 qualifications have been approved for school performance tables ?
starting in 2016.
60
However, of particular interest to our discussion are the Edexcel BTEC Certificates
in Learning for Life (QCF), which allude to the fact that:
“Learners of all abilities flourish when they can apply their own knowledge, skills and
enthusiasm to a subject.”
61
To illustrate their approach, key features that they employ are useful in our context as these
consistently include the following themes at Levels 1, 2 and 3:
• Teamwork.
• Reflective Learning.
57
From Correspondence with Marianna Lemus, Research and Evaluation Manager at Young Enterprise.
58
Dellot, B. and G. Darby (2013). The Enterprise Generation. London, Enterprise Education Trust.
59
Op. cit., See: Birdwell, J, Grist, M and Margo, J (2011) The Forgotten Half. Demos: London.
60
http://www.edexcel.com/btec/news-and policy/Pages/ViewNotice.aspx?notice=3496
61
edexecel BTEC Specialist Qualifications – Specification of Certificates in Learning for Life, ‘welcome page’.
24
• Independent Learning.
• Creative Learning.
62
Key themes to assist assessment include using a portfolio approach that requires learners to collate
evidence themselves. This may include but is not limited to:
• Peer and teacher observation.
• Performances.
• Video.
• Audio.
• Externally validated certificates.
63
This requires a holistic all?school approach, including educators who can mentor and advise, rather
than simply deliver set pieces for the purpose of examinations and tests. For example, evidencing an
understanding of the values of others, being flexible, being resilient and developing visionary skills
are central aspects for evaluation. In many ways this approach mirrors the requirement of an
enterprising education.
In 2010, as Government changed, and with reference to the ‘School Development Grant’, the
Department for Education published an ‘Evaluation of Enterprise Education in England’.
64
The report
focussed on the need to become a world leader in the fast changing global economy. It did not take
stock of existing activities, but was more focussed on how the funding interventions translated into
benefits for the economy. Issues such as confusion over definitions and the lack of a whole school
approach surfaced ? following 30 case study visits and a survey of 408 schools across England.
Enterprise was often seen as a unique subject by the schools, and not an integral part of the
curriculum. Where enterprise was reported to be a more engaged topic, and teachers had a better
understanding, the coordinators reported:
• Increased self awareness.
• Improved business and economic understanding.
• A wider belief in their capabilities and opportunities.
• Improved management of change and risk.
• Increased retention of those at risk of disengagement.
• Improved rates of attendance.
Overall there was consensus that enterprise as a teaching style helped pupils to learn and that those
with more experience evidenced greater impact than those just starting out. Concerns expressed
included:
• The critical nature of the support of senior management teams.
62
Edexcel (2011). BTEC (2011) BA025939 – Specification –Level 3, Level 2, Level 1, Entry 3 Certificates specialist
qualification in Learning for Life (QCF).
63
Ibid.
64
McLarty, L., H. Highley and S. Alderson (2006). Evaluation of Enterprise Education in England.
25
• The perceived priority level within the curriculum (note that the Davies report only
suggested 5 days per year.
65
)
• Time given over to employer engagement / prioritisation of time.
• The CPD required to shift teachers’ perspectives and to subsequently develop appropriate
pedagogic skills.
• How success would be measured / the lack of specificity during inspections.
The report concludes with the recommendations that consideration needs to be given to funding to
fill the current gaps in provision, to the lack clarity of the definitions and to the crucial nature of this
work, especially in terms of the need for external engagement.
To turn beyond England momentarily, the first (2004) Scottish document ‘How Good Is Our School:
Quality Indicators in Enterprise Education’, offered self?evaluation and quality indicators as well as
worked examples and practical sources of support. It also emphasized the need for guidance for
teachers in terms of developing teaching approaches and support and committing to whole school
strategies as opposed to soloed business subjects.
66
Later in 2008 when the impact was reviewed
through a series of inspections, the findings had a ring that is becoming quite familiar throughout
this investigation:
“The positive influence of enterprise in education on learners’ attainment and wider
achievement was evident in the schools and centres inspected for this report, and in the wider
range of HMIE inspections. Importantly, that helpful influence extended across personal and
social skills and a wide range of aspects of learning, confirming the impact of enterprise across
the curriculum and throughout learning 3?18. Enterprise in education encouraged good
attendance and behaviour, positive attitudes to learning, increased motivation and high levels
of achievement.
67
”
“Enterprise in education provided a stimulus for innovative experiences and approaches which
went beyond learning in curriculum areas and subjects. It contributed to pupils developing as
successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors, and
highlighted ideas and approaches which are directly relevant to schools.”
68
Other findings included staff members reporting the direct gains that they witnessed having
undertaken CPD in enterprise education. They especially note the need for educator flexibility /
allowing the educators to employ and make relevant principles and approaches rather than followed
dictated pathways. Enterprise, when themed with creativity, often led to promotion in the schools
investigated. The relevance of playfulness also featured highly, as did the impact on pupils with
special needs and those who would normally be considered low achievers. Overall:
65 Davies, H. (2002). A Review of Enterprise and the Economy in Education. London.
66 HM Inspectorate of Education (2004). How Good Is Our School: Quality Indicators in Enterprise Education. Edinburgh,
HM Inspectorate of Education.
67 HM Inspectorate of Education (2004). Improving Enterprise in Education: A Report by HM Inspectorate of Education,
HM Inspectorate of Education.
68 Op. cit, 14
26
“Staff and pupils felt they were being encouraged to engage, to suggest creative and
innovative approaches to learning, and to become active stakeholders.”
69
Wales already has had a National approach to this entire landscape, which was initially developed in
2002 and termed the ‘Youth Entrepreneurship Strategy’.
70
This was reviewed and revisited in 2010
and provides, amongst many other things, help for entrepreneurs who wish to help educators – by
providing them with essential teaching and learning skills that support the educator community.
Wales also has the first university?validated teacher?training module for Post Graduate and Initial
Teacher Training. In turn this informed the learning outcomes strategy for the European Leonardo
Da Vinci Project Acknowledging and Developing Entrepreneurial Teacher Training (ADEPTT).
“The overall objective of ADEPTT, Acknowledging and Developing Entrepreneurial Practice in
Teacher Training is to create a strategic EU model to promote teacher training in
entrepreneurship as a means to develop entrepreneurial mindsets in European young people
and thus, socio?economic and local/regional development.”
71
The Welsh Government’s ‘Big Ideas Wales’ have set up a National CPD Enterprise Education hub
based in the University of South Wales. This development is based on earlier work and has an aim to
promote, facilitate and lead entrepreneurial thinking across all levels of education and schooling,
from ages 5?25.
72
The earlier initiatives, claim the Welsh Government, have led to aspirations of
young people under 25 to be their own boss rising from 42% in 2004 to 53% in 2013 (Wales Omnibus
Survey), a tripling of early?stage entrepreneurial activity in ages 18?24 (Global Economic Monitor)
and the observation that Wales generates 9.1% of all graduate start ups in the UK, but only have 5%
of the HE student population (HECBIS).
73
Scotland too has looked at an overarching strategy, and in 2011 Create Highland Centre in
partnership with Scotland’s Colleges produced a discussion document entitled “A Proposed
Enterprise Education Framework for Scotland”. Picking up on European initiatives and referencing
key thinking of the time, an ambitious Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) of
learning outcomes was produced
74
. Though to date this has not been populated with activities that
lead to the learning outcomes described, it nevertheless offers an integrated approach that could
inform future thinking.
75
Since 2000 the Global Economic Monitor’s National Expert Surveys have gathered data that
consistently demonstrates business experts’ dissatisfaction with aspects of entrepreneurship
education and training in their countries. Amongst their most critical comments are the ratings they
give for the adequacy of entrepreneurship education and training in primary and secondary schools.
69 Op. cit, 36
70 For details see:http://wales.gov.uk/topics/businessandeconomy/publications/yesactionplan1015/?lang=en
71http://publiek.syntra.be/websites/europeseprojecten/adeptt/Management/PROJECT%20SUMMARY.aspx
72 See:http://ms.fs4b.wales.gov.uk/sub_sites/yes/content/about_yes/get_involved/activity_detail.aspx?i=249
73 HECBIS – ‘Higher Education Business and Community Interaction Survey’ ? Welsh Government’s Response to the
Enterprise and Business Committee’s Report on Youth Entrepreneurship. Available online at: http://www.assemblywales.org/bus?ho...y?laid?docs.htm?act=disandid=252958&ds=1/2014
74
http://www.scqf.org.uk/
75
See:http://www.createhighland.com/getdoc/a8c4778f?0352?410b?b649?
fd81d63e1898/Proposed_Enterprise_Education_Framework_?_1?pdf.aspx
27
A key conclusion of their 2010 Global Perspective on Entrepreneurship Education and Training is
that:
“…analysis suggests that entrepreneurship training may enhance self?efficacy, or start?up skills
self?perception, but seems to be poor at enhancing opportunity recognition. It may be that
planning?based programs are good at making people believe they know how to start a
business. However, the other crucial ingredient is recognition of an attractive opportunity.
76
“For reasons such as these, European Level policy guidance is developing at some pace, and is
well informed by international experts of enterprise education. For example expert
representatives from 28 countries have informed both the development of CPD activities and
new teacher training provisions.
77
These culminated in the June 2013 release of the European
Commission’s ‘Entrepreneurship Education: A Guide for Educators’
78
. Some key themes are
emerging, and importantly, it is now well recognised that new pedagogical stances are
required if innovation needs to be prioritised – teaching styles will have to change across a
broad spectrum.
“Such competencies are best acquired through people?led enquiry and discovery that enable
students to turn ideas into action. They are difficult to teach through traditional teaching and
learning practices in which the learner tends to be a more or less passive recipient. They
require active, learner?centred pedagogies and learning activities that use practical learning
opportunities from the real world. Furthermore, since entrepreneurship education is a
transversal competence it should be available to all students and be taught as a theme rather
than as a separate subject at all stages and levels of education”
79
.
This fundamental shift is not lost on other international agencies. The United Nations Conference for
Trade and Development (UNCTAD) spent three years investigating what makes an entrepreneurial
eco system, concluding that education was one of the key 6 pillars that policy makers needed to
address, the prime call being to “Mainstream the development of entrepreneurship awareness and
entrepreneurial behaviours starting from primary school level”.
80
Perhaps interestingly, UNCTAD’s Chief of Entrepreneurship reports that many developing countries
are more engaged than countries with more traditional approaches to education, and that based on
research developed from the Global Economic Monitor, “entrepreneurial dynamism has been
shifting to developing countries”.
81
76
Martinez, A., J. Levie, D. Kelley, R. Samundsson and T. Scott (2010). A Global Perspective on Entrepreneurship Education
and Training, GEM.
77
See:http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/sme/promoting?entrepreneurship/education?training?
entrepreneurship/teacher?education?entrepreneurship/index_en.htm
78
Available online at:http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/sme/promoting?entrepreneurship/files/education/entredu?
manual?fv_en.pdf
79
Directorate?General for Enterprise and Industry (2011). Entrepreneurship Education: Enabling Teachers as a Critical
Success Factor. Brussels, European Commission.
80http://unctad.org/en/Pages/DIAE/Entrepreneurship/EPF?3.aspx
81 Mugione, F. (2013). Joint Inter?Governmental Conference Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean & United
Nations Inter?Agency Cluster on Trade and Productive Capacity, Geneva.
28
Certainly this perspective can be evidenced in aspirational Eastern European developments in
former parts of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, where Governments have come
together to debate ways forward. They have already developed an extensive competency based
approach to enterprise education. Available in Serbian, Russian and English, the South East
European Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (SEECEL) has a training needs analysis for SMEs,
proposals for women’s entrepreneurship, and competency based educational frameworks for ages
11 through to 18.
82
In the former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia, supported by the Macedonian
Ministry for Education and Science and the British Embassy, the National Center for Development of
Innovations and Entrepreneurial Learning (NCDIEL) recently celebrated the milestone of over 2,000
teachers who have undertaken specialist?training courses in becoming an entrepreneurial
educator.
83
There is another backdrop that needs to be taken into consideration, and it relates to the type and
nature of champions who are pushing forward. Although not conclusive, there is strong evidence to
suggest that educators who have had entrepreneurial experience themselves are leading thought.
For example, international research within higher education has indicated that formal education is
not driving the enterprise and entrepreneurship teaching and learning agenda; text books are not
popular and seeking support outside of the educational system is common. It would also appear that
there is a dearth of appropriate training. For example:
“Over 75% of the (international) educators surveyed had personal start?up experience, and
there was limited reliance on academic literature, with a preference for referencing broader
stakeholder perspectives.”
84
And as specialists in school teaching from Finland assert:
“Our research results indicate that the perception teachers have of their own
entrepreneurship education skills is closely connected to the implementation of
entrepreneurship education… providing teachers with training related to the topic area is the
best possible way to promote the implementation of entrepreneurship education in
schools”.
85
Taking this and the educator guidance and training that is developing in Europe into account, it
would appear that educator support through learning initiatives, self?help groups and networks need
to be supported; indeed, it is a metric that the United Nations Conference for Trade and
Development (UNCTAD) apply to measure successful Government interventions.
86
Within an
82 For further information see:http://www.seecel.hr
83 See:http://www.ncdiel.mk/IndexEn.asp?ID=5
84 Penaluna, K., P. A and C. Jones (2012). "The Context of Enterprise Education: Insights into Current Practices." Education
+ Training 26(3): 163.
85 Ruskovaara, E. and T. Pihkala ibid."Teachers implementing entrepreneurship education: classroom practices." 55(2):
213.
86 UNCTAD (2012). Entrepreneurship Policy Framework and Implementation Guidance (2012) Area 3: Enhancing
Entrepreneurship Education and Skills Development, Education and Skills: A checklist of key questions.
29
environment that has developed organically, it is the networks that have pulled the thinking
together.
87
Whilst this chapter’s snapshots cannot possibly cover the full range of initiatives that are taking
place, as it misses so many players in this important but disparate debate, its intention is to illustrate
the level of activity already taking place and the type and nature of ongoing discussions, both in the
UK and internationally. Not least amongst these discussions is what makes up the enterprising
mindset and what kinds of thinking, learning and imagining is involved in the development of future
thinkers who can respond to an ever?changing landscape in meaningful and contributory ways. We
have found the evidence to be consistent and fairly repetitive; institutions appear to attract
institutionalized approaches to teaching and learning that are restrictive and engender reliance as
opposed to resilience and independence. For example, strict timetabling and rigidity of delivery
against easily measured outcomes, or assessment that is announced some considerable time before
the work is due. These do not enhance the development of skills related to flexible and innovative
thinking. To conclude this aspect of our debate, one key aspect is of particular concern. With the
notable exception of some creative disciplines in the university sector, in the entire year of
investigation we did not find a single learning institution that confidently and assuredly told us that
they tracked and enhanced the development of creative capacity.
Key Findings
• In the UK this has been a long running debate that spans over 25 years.
• Grass roots / self funding networks have had impact, some of these emerged from
Government funding.
• Peer recognition and rewards schemes are emerging and have impact.
• Formalised progression and career paths are at a very early stage of development (for
entrepreneurship educators).
• Curriculum interventions are patchy but when undertaken have very positive outcomes
across all areas of learning.
• Consensus is being reached as to what is needed and what works.
• Some countries outside of England are making better progress and the EU Commission’s
research and guidance is extremely helpful.
• Issues surrounding stakeholder engagement beyond the school and college / university need
to be addressed.
87 See: Beresford, R. and K. Beresford (2010). "The role of networks in supporting grassroots good practice in enterprise
education." Research in Post?Compulsory Education, 15(3): 275?288.
30
4. Primary School Experience
“In the first six years of the 21
st
Century, the aims, purposes and values of education expressed in
the surveyed countries appear to be reflecting economic and social principles, at the same time as
the philosophies of personalised teaching and learning. This hybrid of economically driven,
learner?centred, and society?influenced aims reflects the views expressed by various theorists on
(Primary) education…”
88
Before we enter into any deeper discussions, a fundamental question needs to be considered,
“What is the role of schooling and whose needs should school education respond to?”
In primary education, child centred?ness has been a consistent factor and the needs of the individual
child have essentially remained paramount. However in the UK, Governments have increasingly
influenced the aims, purposes and values of education. The introduction of a National Curriculum
that by 1988 saw subjects becoming ‘Core’ (English, Mathematics and Science) or ‘Foundation (Art
and Design, Design and Technology, Geography, ICT, Music and Physical Education) at Key Stages 1
and 2 (5?11 years old).
89
Thus a hierarchy began that remains to this day.
On the face of it, Primary Education’s non?statutory cross?curricular activities that lead on Creativity,
ICT, Education for Sustainable Development, Literacy and Numeracy across the curriculum do not
appear at odds with the aims of enterprise; however what is perhaps more telling is what is
evaluated at the end of each key stage. Tests focus on English, Maths and Science, but do not
meaningfully evaluate creativity or an understanding of sustainable development.
90
If you are
teaching to the test, then the focus is perhaps naturally on those aspects that will be tested,
evaluated and ultimately, compared and contrasted with others.
Recent understandings on developing education for social and economic improvement within the
context of new technologies revisit the premise that creativity and innovation are primary drivers of
excellence and may not be taken fully into account. For example in Australia, the proliferation of
speeches and policy statements on the importance of creativity, in conjunction with similar
discussions on the significant increases in the use of IT in learning, led the Australian Council for
Educational Research to ask some thought?provoking questions as to what the direction of
education actually was, and did they know where they were headed? This led the Australian Council
for Educational Research to ask a series of questions as to where education was headed. Their
conclusion that developing innovation requires the rethinking of curriculum and assessment comes
as no surprise, but the challenges this presents, especially to time?constrained educators for whom
telling the answers is easier than enabling pupils to make personal discoveries, presents significant
tensions with more traditional approaches.
91
However, the premise that primary education is
88 Shuayb, M. and S. O’Donnell (2008). Aims and Values in Primary Education: England and other countries (Primary
Review Research Survey 1/2). Cambridge, University of Cambridge Faculty of Education.
89 Children Schools and Families Committee (2009). Children, Schools and Families Committee (2009) National Curriculum,
Volume 1, House of Commons.
91 Mellor, S. (2010). Building Innovation: Learning with Technologies,. Victoria, Australian Council for Educational
Research.
31
interdisciplinary and learner?led is helpful in the context of enterprise education, and would appear
to strike a reasonable balance between developing creativity, engendering enterprising
competencies and retaining appropriate attention on the Core subjects. These raw enterprising skills
need not be directly related to calls for business education to start at this juncture, but more
rounded in terms of providing educational experiences that prepare pupils for later learning
experiences, ones that should test their innovation capacities.
The authors of the “Global Competitiveness Report” highlight that across the 148 economies they
investigated, innovation driven countries that invested in primary education and embedded ‘social
resilience’, were better placed to respond to the need for continuous adaptation and change; they
were well placed to develop new and competitive infrastructures.
92
As is often stated anecdotally, young children are less concerned about personal status and more
absorbed in personal enquiry. This, coupled with recent neurological findings that the brain evolves
in ways that prunes its connections in early life to conserve energy, the ‘use it or lose it’ scenario,
suggests that what we may be attempting to capture is simply the retention of abilities that we
exhibit in early life. Fear of failure is rare in early years learning, and encouraging exploratory
thought is common. It therefore follows that primary education has the potential to initiate the type
and nature of thinking skills that are required. Additionally, they might also inform later?years
learning strategies, especially when the aim is to develop similar creative and cognitive abilities.
Specifically, as education is acknowledged to be the most broadly and consistently successful
cognitive enhancer of all,
93
enabling early and appropriate development in young people in terms of
creativity fits the goals of those wishing to develop early stage entrepreneurial capacity through
skills such as opportunity recognition.
The following cases have been chosen to illustrate what is being done. They also illustrate how
enterprise education can be strategically embedded into curricular activities as well as extra?
curricular work in the Primary sector. Even finance can be made fun and related to creative
endeavour.
Case Study 1 - Herringthorpe Infant School, Rotherham.
(Part of a Ready Unlimited ‘Ready Hub’ – a partnership including a secondary school and its partner
primary schools which work with young people, parents, businesses and the wider community to co?
produce enterprise practice and provision).
On 2
nd
July 2013 Ready Unlimited and University of Wales Trinity Saint David staff visited the school
to see first?hand what was being achieved. What was immediately apparent from noticeboards in
the classrooms and corridors was that the children were engaged in learning under 6 thematic pillars
that linked their learning skills to enterprise. These were:
92 Schwab, K. (2013). The Global Competitiveness Report.
93 N, B. and S. A (2009). "Cognitive Enhancement: methods, ethics, regulatory challenges." Sci Eng Ethics 15(3): 311?341.
32
• Resilience
• Teamwork
• Creativity
• Reflection
• Problem Solving
• Communications.
According to the head teacher Mrs Pepper, this enabled the staff to focus on agendas that related
not only to their own school issues, but also to themes beyond the school gates and into the broader
community. As an aside, she mentioned the evolving success of parent?teacher interaction through
Parent Teacher Groups and engagement with local businesses. This she put down to a simple
message, one of relevance. If the parents and broader stakeholders saw relevance in what the
children were learning, then learning continued beyond the classroom into the community. In turn,
the community supported the school.
Above: An example of linking learning skills to enterprise at Herringthorpe Infant School.
One of the key things picked up in the school’s OFSTED Report was that the teachers made good
links and connections between subjects, so that the relevance of the learning was implicit.
94
This
interdisciplinary approach encourages creative thinking through the linking of potentially disparate
topics, ideas and sources of information. In the words of the OFSTED Inspectors:
“The school excels at providing pupils with an insight into the 'world of work.' This can be
through related role play areas or the opportunity for pupils to set up their own businesses.
For example, pupils enjoyed running a caf [sic] for parents and carers. Such a strong focus on
enterprise, alongside the emphasis on high quality team work, prepares pupils extremely well
for the next stage in their education.”
95
94 See:http://herringthorpejuniors.com/for?parents/ofsted?report/
95 OFSTED Inspection Report: Herringthorpe Infant School, 26–27 January 2009, 5
33
“The emphasis given to enterprise sets learning in a meaningful context and motivates pupils
to work hard on a wide range of hands?on activities. A good range of creative activities, visits
and extra?curricular clubs add interest and enjoyment to pupils' learning and ensure they have
a good understanding of life beyond the immediate locality.”
96
Teachers skilfully link curricula to the world of work and business, including visiting local businesses,
inviting entrepreneurs into school and integrating role models, industries and enterprise into
displays:
Family learning is an extension of the approach, and not only brings parents into the school; it also
engages them in topics that the pupils are learning. Parents work alongside their children on
curriculum areas, including science, maths, literacy and DT which are explored through business and
enterprise contexts, for example setting up a company to design and build a bridge, or responding to
a design brief to budget for and create a product for sale.
A parting message made one thing clear to the visitors, none of this had been staged for the day or
was as the result of a single ‘drop in enterprise day’, but was an integral part of a sustained learning
programme that continuously engaged the pupils through their pillars of enterprise.
Case Study 2 - Hull - Primary School Engagement in Global Enterprise
Week
“Enterprise and entrepreneurship education are essential if we are to stimulate young people’s
natural creative traits to be more enterprising, the agenda needs to be about young people and not
projects and programmes. For too long in the UK we have started but never finished, or we have
talked about creating an entrepreneurial culture or started but not developed one from which our
young people can benefit. A true entrepreneurial culture cannot be developed in isolation and needs
to be planned and co?ordinated at local levels. It is time to act and not to talk.”
97
96 ibid. 6
97 Charles Cracknell FRSA, Holder of the Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion, City Youth Enterprise Manager for Hull.
Personal correspondence 13 January 2014
34
In his correspondence to the APPG enterprise education panel, Cracknell makes it clear that short?
term initiatives and stop?gap funding has done little to enhance the opportunities to develop
meaningful enterprise education in schools within the region. The City?wide initiative that he leads
demonstrates the impact that this type of engagement can have, especially when focused on real
achievement in enterprising contexts. Global Entrepreneurship Week in Hull included talks from
Shopping Centre Managers and enterprising promotions experts with 15 years experience. Local
business experts joined the pupils and actively engaged in their teams.
“Then it was time for the Primary Schools to show off their enterprising activities through the £5
Blossom Event which is run every year in Hull! All the primary schools present their activities that
they did throughout the last year. There was an excellent presentation from Clifton, dressed up,
shades on, an awesome performance highlighting the investment of Engaging Education (£150) who
were also their mentors! All ended off with a rap about their products, including their own beat?
boxing backing track!
After the break, Ross Bennett, Director of Engaging Education, launches the Big 13 DVD! This
showcases the 13 enterprising skills that young people need to be successful in their career and
these are the skills that are vital for young people to set up their own business. This DVD was
presented by students themselves including all the introductions and voice?overs. Each skill was
represented by a business which the students went and interviewed an executive representative
from each! This is a great DVD that is launched as a showcase of business in Hull and the Big
13 Skills!
Next up, the Primary School Victoria Dock launch their activity of tower building with straws.
Business professionals and primary schools go head to head, tallest tower wins and there is a little
bonus prize for the best named tower. A really good initiative to get groups working together in
teams with some financial literacy, as teams needed to ‘buy’ more resources with the money they
were given.”
98
98 For more information see:http://www.gew.org.uk/blog/gew_2013_?_engaging_education_?_hull
35
Case Study 3 - Craigfelen Primary School, Swansea, Wales
In 2012 the European Commission invited European education experts to gather in Slovenia to
address the issues surrounding continuous professional development (CPD) of school teachers for
enterprise. Craigfelen Primary School’s active approach to entrepreneurship was featured as a best
practice case study because of the way that previously ‘hardened’ experienced primary school
teachers had embraced the entrepreneurial way of teaching.
99
Head teacher Alison Williams was
invited to speak about her school and the approaches taken to evaluate and assess pupils’
performance through engagement in projects including:
• Young Enterprise projects
• Working with a local bakery to ‘Get Ready to Crumble’
• Boom Chocolate Company – a school?based tuck shop business with unique products
• ‘Money Spiders’, a Junior Saver’s Club run in partnership with LASA Credit Union
• A working café for the local community ‘Graigos Café, which is a truly pupil led business
which is planned, organised and managed by the children aged 7?11 years.
100
Teacher Mr Jamie Taylor, who now has responsibility for developing financial education across the
school, states:
“To begin with I saw enterprise as an add?on to the curriculum, something that can take up a
lot of precious learning time in a very busy timetable. During the latest Enterprise Project we
decided to approach it in a different way. We linked our enterprise activities to our current
topic of ‘Potions’. This not only motivated the pupils but led to a massive amount of cross
curricular links being made.”
“During Literacy lessons the children were writing plans, instructions, letters, evaluations and
learning all about persuasive writing. They were creating web pages, blogs and TV adverts.
There were huge amounts of data handling skills, costing and working out profit margins. The
children were heavily involved in sourcing the cheapest ingredients to help their profit.
Personal and Social Education skills were ever present throughout lessons with children
working as a team, solving problems together and discussing ideas and plans. It helped the
pupils identify their strengths and weaknesses when deciding upon appropriate roles for team
members throughout the task. The pupils in my class have made huge strides forward both
educationally and socially throughout this task and having read their future plans for their
businesses, enterprise is now well and truly embedded into our curriculum.”
99 European Commission (2012). European Commission’s 2nd Laboratory on enabling teachers for entrepreneurship
education ? continuing professional development, Brdo, Slovenia. Hosted by the Slovenian Ministry of Economic
Development and Technology at the Brdo Congress Centre ? aimed at professionals involved in the continuing professional
development of teachers (CPD) who are interested in developing their curriculum on the subject or methods of
entrepreneurship education. Around 90 delegates from 24 countries attended the workshop. See: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/poli.../files/education/brdo_newsletter_final_en.pdf
100http://www.southwales?eveningpost.co.uk/Super?saver?pupils?aim?cook?success?venture/story?18048454?
detail/story.html andhttp://www.itv.com/news/wales/story/2013?01?31/pupils?open?own?community?cafe/
36
Most notably the school also collaborated with Gower College (See FE Case Study) in a project where
enterprising FE students helped the primary pupils to gain insights into entrepreneurial behaviour
through a range of projects and activities. The connected nature of the event was supported by the
City Council’s ‘Building Enterprise Education in Swansea’ (BEES) project. This draws together experts
from business and industry through the local chamber of commerce, entrepreneurs, banking and
finance experts and educators from the university sector, colleges and schools in the area. The
groups’ aim is to develop “…a co?ordinated enterprise education programme across all schools,
colleges and universities in Swansea, so that all young people can access high quality provision”
101
Case Study 4 - Innovative Enterprise, Enterprise Soapbox (Commercial
Product)
The cross?curricular soapbox kits allow students to experience the process of soap making,
researching and designing their own soaps, making their own soaps and packaging them to sell.
Students learn about science, enterprise, business, DT, maths and the environment whilst having fun
making, marketing and selling their own soap products. There are two kits, which contain everything
needed to make soap. Both the primary and secondary kits have a safety?assured recipe meaning
that the soaps can be sold under the UK and European Cosmetic regulations.
Primary School Case Study (A secondary school version is also available)
Ann Hallam, Headteacher who has already used the Soapbox kit at Vicarage Park Primary School,
Kendal, shares her school’s experience of how her school used it as a summer term fun enterprise
activity day with year 6 pupils who worked in mixed teams of four to develop their own products.
“Science was tackled as we were able to speak about matter changing state through heat
application as the animal?free soap base melted in the microwave and then re?formed as solid
soap in moulds. Maths was brought to life as measurements were made, timings used and also
in the business side, pupils were able to calculate the costs and sales price of their product.
Using box template 'nets' the teams needed to measure and cut carefully to develop 3D boxes
for their products.”
“Creating a marketing campaign and delivering a two minute sales 'pitch' allowed pupils to use
their written and spoken English skills, persuasive language, alliteration and challenge their
fears about speaking in front of everyone in the sunny playground!”
“Artistry and design skills were brought to the fore as each team designed their own finished
product and packed it according to the chosen market segment… Babies, Sports, Glamorous
Life, Working Life or Gardening.”
“Students working in mixed teams helped pupils to see how different skills are needed in a
team, the skills needed to create a real product and how companies make profits. In the
101 Building Enterprise Education in Swansea (BEES ? Part of the Swansea Economic Regeneration Strategy). http://www.swansea2020.com/bees
37
longer term we hope the young people involved will have learned something about work and
how what they learn in the classroom has applications in their future.”
“Our students developed the following as a result of taking part;
• Teamwork and how to communicate their ideas,
• Working under pressure to a set deadline,
• Being creative as well as precisely following a recipe,
• Understanding how products are designed and created,
• That working in business can be fun but also stressful!”
Case Study 5 - (International) - Building Enterprising Students Today
(BEST) Project, New Zealand
102
This three?year project developed by the Ministry of Education for pupils aged 1–8 involved 34
schools and 68 teachers, who participated in two separate trials in which they:
• Developed supporting classroom materials – with over 65 activities and units.
• Trialled these materials in classrooms using the Education for Enterprise teaching and
learning approach.
• Conducted research to build the evidence?base supporting Education for Enterprise as a
teaching and learning approach.
The project focussed on ensuring that students learned to be enterprising across a range of business
and community contexts and included guidance on assessment strategies. The trials evidenced that
learning was enhanced beyond what teachers had expected from their students, particularly in the
development of the whole child.
The team concludes that for those teachers who are already well engaged in inquiry learning or
action learning, and who are using a range of learning and thinking tools, the shift towards more
student ownership and engagement in Education for Enterprise activities is not a big one. As
explained by Susan Milne, from St Francis Primary School:
"I have loved every minute of teaching these units of work, and Education for Enterprise has
certainly been a tool for powerful learning in Room 7. … Our unit has really mushroomed and
when I am thinking about confidence, lifelong learners, connectedness, and active
involvement, I couldn’t think of a better example than my students during BEST."
103
102 Based on:http://education?for?enterprise.tki.org.nz (Following a presentation at the 2007 International Conference of
the Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Glasgow).
103 Ibid.
38
Key Findings
• Primary schools offer creative and playful approaches to learning that are interdisciplinary in
nature and challenging in content
• Primary education is predominantly about the individual child
• Children receive a predominantly ‘all school’ holistic experience and this remains the case
within the enterprise activities presented
• Our cases clearly illustrate that enterprise can be embedded successfully and can also help
to develop wider skills
• Once they have understood the approach, teachers in our review enjoyed teaching in an
entrepreneurial way and found it to be a valuable pedagogy
• Our evidence suggests that there is room for CPD and teacher enhancement
39
5. Secondary School Experience
“Schools should normalise entrepreneurship as a career path. All careers services should make it
clear to school leavers that start?ups are an option, albeit a challenging one. Entrepreneurial risk
management will form a key part of this programme in order to maximise the economic
performance of new ventures while simultaneously minimising human and financial costs often
associated with low performance business start?ups. Every school should invite local
entrepreneurs ? ideally developing an ongoing relationship ? to present to pupils about the
advantages and challenges of founding a business.”
104
For schools to address such recommendations is challenging, but not impossible; the good news is
that it is already a good fit with current educational thinking. For example, firstly consider
developing enterprising skills such as being flexible and adaptable, networking and seeking out and
addressing challenges. This is already being considered within the role of play within learning. The
‘Too Much Too Soon’ Campaign
105
has assembled a body of evidence from 130 educationalists who
believe that play during early formative years is essential. One of the team, Cambridge Researcher
and Developmental Psychologist David Whitbread, questions the direction of early years educational
policy and points out that we already know that instructional learning is less effective than informal
learning.
106
Of particular interest to the enterprise education debate is the evidence that play is
entirely spontaneous and unpredictable, and that overly restrictive scheduling of playtime and
supervision negatively impacts on risk adverseness. The emphasis on formal assessment at
secondary further inhibits spontaneous, more creative teaching.
These arguments suggest that playful activities that are often confined to early years learning, yet
they develop and test learners’ knowledge and behaviours in a way that ultimately leads to meta?
cognitive and self?regulating abilities in adulthood,
107
something we wish to achieve. However, as
the OECD reported a decade ago, as schooling develops it becomes more restrictive and more tightly
managed. The Key Stage Framework, with its focus on tests and tasks around English, maths and
science, coupled with a more silo?based approach to ‘delivering learning’, exacerbates this. In
consequence subject?based assessments, tests and examinations have become increasingly
concerned with knowledge retention, which in turn is usually related to a single topic or subject. The
net result is that we have been consistently told that creativity and innovation for enterprise are
largely pushed out of the classroom and into extra?curricular and voluntary activities.
The ‘Ready Unlimited’ team in Rotherham are well aware of the mindset shift that young people
have to make, as have been many other educationalists with which we have spoken. In ‘Harnessing
Enterprise to Support Transition from Primary to Secondary Education’,
108
Ready Unlimited offer
104 Small Business Taskforce (2014). An Enterprising Nation: The Final Report of the Small Business Taskforce,
Commissioned by the Labour Party.
105http://www.toomuchtoosoon.org
106 See:http://www.cam.ac.uk/research/discussion/school?starting?age?the?evidence
107 See:http://www.importanceofplay.eu/IMG/pdf/dr_david_whitebread_?_the_importance_of_play.pdf
108 Rotherham Ready (2011). Enterprise and Transition: Harnessing Enterprise to Support Transition from Primary to
Secondary Education. Rotherham, Rotherham Ready (Now ‘Ready Unlimited).
40
three enterprise?related case studies that illustrate bridging activities for both staff and pupils. Based
on the premise that a young person’s enterprise learning journey should be gradual, they suggest
that harnessing and celebrating enterprise skills can help social adjustment, institutional adjustment
and can also assist transition through opportunities to ensure a degree of continuity within the
curriculum. Creative freedom and business insights are a feature of all of the cases, and each case
includes a ‘so what’ section that showcases positive pupil feedback. Funds raised were fed back into
activities that supported pupil transition.
The Government’s recent publications include some telling lines, for example, “The new
programmes of study set out what should be taught by the end of each key stage,”
109
which
indicates that pre?determined goals will consistently lead the learning process; it is a style of writing
that does not engender creative or innovative thought that challenges norms and considers new
ways of thinking. Moreover, the primary aim of the new National Curriculum is almost entirely
focused around knowledge.
“The national curriculum provides pupils with an introduction to the essential knowledge that
they need to be educated citizens. It introduces pupils to the best that has been thought and
said; and helps engender an appreciation of human creativity and achievement.”
110
The use of the term ‘appreciation’ has connotations that the learners will simply understand topics
under discussion; it does not suggest that they will be able to perform. The OECD contest that we
need to bring education to task on this, and consider the holistic and more connectable needs of the
21
st
century when developing new and effective education systems, especially if they are intended to
respond to social and economic problems
111
. However, ‘learning to the test’ has become a way to hit
league tables and other more easily measurable targets.
However there are pockets of expertise within the UK that can inform an alternative approach. The
Welsh Department of Education and Skills has been tasked with developing ‘Essential Skills’, and
they have been drawing heavily on the enterprise education agenda. As Hazel Israel of the Welsh
Government’s Department for Education and Skills explains:
“It is widely acknowledged that such behaviours as initiative, independence, creativity,
decision making and flexibility are highly prized in adult life and yet traditional more formal
educational methods often struggle to explicitly and actively accommodate, promote and
nurture these essential skills. Where these attributes are developed by young people it is
almost in spite of their formal education and, for too many learners, the narrow and limited
subject disciplines and focus on exams as important performance measures, switch them off
learning altogether. Real life is meaningful, relevant and engaging and rarely looks like a
classroom.”
112
109 Department for Education (2013). Assessing Without Levels.
110 Department for Education (2013). The National Curriculum in England: Framework Document, Aims 3.1, 6.
111 Mulford, B. (2003). School Leaders: Challenging Roles and Impact on Teacher and School Effectiveness. Tasmania,
OECD / University of Tasmania.
112 Israel, H (Senior Project Manager for Skills Development) Correspondence from the Welsh Government’s Department
for Education and Skills (DfES)
41
Of particular note in the Welsh scheme is that it is all based on action?led as opposed to theory?led
learning, which in turn responds to some of the comments about play:
“The vision of the revised WBQ is to nurture the development of a more rounded, coherent
and holistic concept of learning, delivered through a series of engaging and meaningful
learning experiences, across and through which learners can actively make decisions about
what to learn and how to learn it. In order for learners to be able to take increasing
responsibility for their learning they will need the skills and supporting attributes, autonomy
and developmental space.”
113
This fits well with our discussion, as action?based learning is acknowledged to offer more meaningful
experiences through which learners can evolve their own understandings of situations and contexts.
However when headteachers with 25 years experience blog about the misery of working in
schools
114
and the limitations of a reductive examinations system that is designed to make it easy to
mark rather than helping to develop any kind of flair,
115
it becomes clear that some kind of revisiting
of the educational system needs to be undertaken.
It should be stressed that much of the above discussion is far from new, and that as far back as 2005
OFSTED noted evidence from inspections that suggested that enterprise education is very
motivational and can result in behaviour change and improved teaching and learning.
116
In 2010 the
Department for Children, Schools and Families, ‘A Guide to Enterprise Education: For Enterprise
Coordinators, teachers and Leaders at Schools’, reflected on more extensive and similar findings by
Dubit, Brightpurpose and the Young People’s Enterprise Forum.
117
This suggests that educators
wishing to develop enterprise skills should do so under the OFSTED sections A2.10 “the extent to
which pupils develop workplace and other skills that will contribute to their future economic
wellbeing”, A.4.2 “the leadership and management of teaching and learning” and A.4.8 “the
effectiveness with which the school promotes community cohesion”. Bodies such as the BIS
supported Enterprise Village
118
and other providers are also listed in this comprehensive document.
More recent support from Enterprise Village includes a measurement tool for Enterprise
Education
119
.
When investigating OFSTED Guidance for Inspectors the review team felt that there appeared to be
something of a gap in terms of clarity in stakeholder engagement. Whilst inspectors should consider
“the extent to which pupils, parents and staff are committed to the vision and ambition of leaders,
managers and governors”
120
, there is no overt provision for wider inclusion of broader community
113 ibid.
114http://johntomsett.wordpress.com/20...?resisting?the?misery?of?life?in?our?schools/
Posted on December 28, 2013
115http://johntomsett.wordpress.com/20...t?the?lack?of?space?for?student?flair?in?our?
examination?system/ Posted on December 15, 2013
116 OFSTED (2005). Developing enterprising young people. London, OFSTED.
117 Department for Children, S. a. F. (2010). A Guide to Enterprise Education: For Enterprise Coordinators, teachers and
Leaders at Schools. Nottingham, Department for Children, Schools and Families Publications in collaboration with Dubit,
Brightpurpose and Young People’s Enterprise Forum (YPEF).
118http://www.enterprisevillage.org.uk
119http://www.enterprisevillage.org.uk/resources/1015/
120 OFSTED (2014). School inspection handbook. No.120101.
42
perspectives, or for example, the views of business. In essence, the reliance is upon governors to
fulfil this role. Moreover, achievement can only be recorded against the formal curriculum, and the
performance and effectiveness indicators do little to enhance externalisation. This appears to be a
major shortfall and may be exacerbating the issues for educators.
OFSTED continue to monitor provision and to critique shortfalls such as a reliance on written work as
opposed to more meaningful and aligned assessment strategies; there is however a persistent
theme in their reporting which may give cause for concern. Specifically they do not appear to
consider the development of enterprising mindsets, and the reporting has a heavy reliance on more
tangible aspects such as knowledge about the economy and business.
121
What OFSTED mention in
terms of who does the teaching and their questions pertaining to how capable they are as educators
in enterprise, is of particular interest and would appear to also apply to OFSTED themselves:
“The main weaknesses in whole?school enterprise education provision, both in the primary
and secondary schools surveyed, were a lack of coherence and a failure to identify and assess
learning outcomes… Many of the teachers deployed to deliver aspects of enterprise education
were non?specialists, who had little or no training or experience of this area. This limited their
confidence and ability to teach effectively. This was particularly the case in relation to
economic and business understanding and financial capability for students in the secondary
schools.”
122
In concluding remarks OFSTED comment on the lack of progress being made in understanding
assessment related to the learning, stating that half of the schools visited failed to make any kind of
meaningful assessment. This has serious implications, as not only is any data derived from such
evaluations flawed, the reasons behind this shortfall is that the educators are poorly equipped to
undertake such roles.
In 2013, ‘The Enterprise Generation: A Report on Enterprise Education in the UK’ suggests that
“Failing to equip young people properly has an estimated £28 billion loss to the economy”, and
highlights the CBI’s estimate that “better education could add £8 trillion to the UK’s GDP over the
lifetime of a child born today – the equivalent of 1% to GDP each year.”
123
Their key messages are:
• For Government to say clearly and simply that enterprise education is important;
• For schools to engage more readily with business;
• For employers to engage in work?related learning and enterprise education.
None of this is lost on the European Commission, who convened two transnational events and
engaged approximately 170 delegates from more than 30 countries, in order to showcase best
practice from across Member States, Accession Countries and other partners. They concluded that:
121 OFSTED reports on Economics, business and enterprise are available at:http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection?
reports/our?expert?knowledge/economics?business?and?enterprise
122 OFSTED (2011). Economics, business and enterprise education. London.
123http://www.enterprise?education.org...es?new?report?on?enterprise?education?in?the?
uk
43
“Teachers have a central role, as they have a strong impact of the attainment of learners.
Reflective teachers keep their practice under constant review and adjust it in the light of
desired learning outcomes and of the individual needs of students. As a key competence,
entrepreneurship does not necessarily involve a specific school subject. Rather, it requires a
way of teaching in which experiential learning and project work have a main role. Teachers do
not provide students with the answers, but help them to research and identify the right
questions and find the best answers.”
124
The EU also makes their policy drive clear ? in a way that aligns well with much of what we have
discussed:
“Member States should foster entrepreneurial skills through new and creative ways of
teaching and learning from primary school onwards, alongside a focus from secondary to
higher education on the opportunity of business creation as a career destination. Real world
experience, through problem?based learning and enterprise links, should be embedded across
all disciplines and tailored to all levels of education. All young people should benefit from at
least one practical entrepreneurial experience before leaving compulsory education”.
125
Externalisation and understanding the value of connectedness beyond the school is also emphasised
as part of the role of the entrepreneurial teacher:
“They seek to close the gap between education and economy and include external experts in
their teaching; focusing on real?life experiences…They follow an adaptable study plan and
prefer interdisciplinary, project?based learning; using training material rather than textbooks.
They put emphasis on group processes and interactions; and understand the class room
sometimes as a ‘clash room’, giving room for diversity…”
126
The Minister for State for Skills and Enterprise recently set the challenge to inspire the next
generation of entrepreneurs through ‘If You Were Running Britain’,
127
However, as is demonstrated
here, the question appears to be less about what we need to discover about what is required, and
more about why this has not been implemented already.
The following cases are offered to illustrate progressive work and the views being expressed to us
during our investigations.
Case Study 6 - The Gazelle Colleges Group Schools Initiative
The Gazelle Colleges Group started to investigate the potential for developing enterprise within
schools. At their inaugural meeting in London a number of familiar themes emerged such as at what
age should we start? Why have only brave small groups like ‘Ready Unlimited’ in Rotherham
124 European Commission (2013). Entrepreneurship Education: A guide for Educators, European Commission.
125 ibid, 3. Extracted from European Commission (2012) Rethinking Education: Investing in Skills for Better Socio?economic
Outcomes
126 ibid
127http://www.mykindacrowd.com/Challenges/if?you?were?running?britain
44
emerged? Is it only the more deprived areas, which due to high unemployment and social need are
truly embracing the school enterprise education agenda? Could it be only the more wealthy
opportunity seeking schools that will engage ? and what about the missing middle if this is the case?
128
Michael Haymen (Chair) highlighted the desperate nature of the landscape and asked, “Where are
the early adopters and how can we harness the knowledge already out there?” He also asked the
provocative question as to whether or not school education was holding Britain back?
There was a general sense throughout the meeting that the group and the people they hoped to
represent at this formative meeting faced significant challenges. Claire Young, former Lord Sugar
Apprentice and entrepreneur questioned:
“Is there a dialogue opportunity with OFSTED? It takes great bravery to develop these kinds of
skills when jobs are on the line.”
The group was in agreement that models needed to focus on innovation at all levels and in accord
with the Welsh model, it requires entrepreneurs who understand teaching ? so that they can inform
the classroom environment
129
. Fintan Donohue of The Gazelle Colleges Group stressed that for a
learner to be uncertain and at times uncomfortable goes against the predictability of traditional
learning strategies, and that the Babson approach employed by The Gazelle Colleges Group in
Further Education already encompassed this.
130
The group acknowledged that they were generally unaware of advances in the Higher Education
sector and neither were they familiar with any European or international initiatives. This highlighted
the lack of continuity within education and reflected opening comments from the HE sector, whose
2010 IEEC Concordat called for more integration, recognition and clearer ways forward throughout
the entire education system.
131
Denise Ramsay of UnLtd, having undertaken recent pilot work in schools observed that some schools
felt that enterprise was seen to be elitist and had something of an identity crisis, suggesting that it
was often confused as simply money making and not about the social issues. In her view, getting
teachers and parents on board were the critical factors. Denise also made a point about pupils’
vision and visionary skills, as very few at the age of 11?13 that she had encountered had any sense of
a career, so for her enterprise education was less about becoming a goal and more about instilling
essential skills and abilities for later education and opportunities.
128 The first meetings of the Gazelle Schools Group took place at the Institute of Arbitrators in central London on
December 5th 2013.
129 Big Ideas Wales is a Government funded initiative which recruits entrepreneurs who wish to support education. They
receive training over one and a half days and have to commit to running at least 10 inspirational sessions over a two?year
period. See: http://ms.fs4b.wales.gov.uk/sub_sit...cts/role_models/become_a_role_model/whats_inv
olved.aspx
130 See:http://www.gazellecolleges.com/entrepreneurial?colleges
131 op. cit.http://ieec.co.uk/?page_id=201
45
In many ways Denise saw the ‘evangelistic entrepreneur’ as a problem as well as a solution, as she
had witnessed learners being turned off by inappropriate presentations and money?led exercises. In
her view, creativity, innovation and confidence building provided most effective learning
interventions, though this was not unilaterally agreed.
The group confirmed that, in their view, online resources were readily available and that new
resources was not the issue. The key to success, in their view, would be to get enterprise into the
curriculum at all levels as opposed to developing more online guidance, preferably embedded as
opposed to developing any kind of additional or bolt?on commitment.
Some definitional discussions took place and with the exception of the Gazelle Colleges Group
model, no other definitional stances were known amongst the group. However, the concept of
developing the enterprising mind?set as the early learning priority, and through this enhancing
entrepreneurship as the business?development side of learning, met with general consensus.
Some key and consistent points included:
• Engagement in more creativity and innovation in secondary education was an essential
element, and that much of the good work being undertaken at primary level on developing
creativity was not being enhanced nor built upon, rather it was being lost through secondary
schooling measurement and assessment strategies.
• Entrepreneurs, small business owners and educators need more interaction and that
inclusive networks to inform progress would be an aim of the group.
• More evidence and research as to best practice was needed, and the group wished to
engage with broader stakeholders, for example to Higher Education or International
developers and policy makers.
• The pipeline of enterprise education was not being considered or strategically developed
and in consequence, champions within educational establishments were undertaking good
but piecemeal work.
In closing remarks the chair agreed that they supported the policy direction of the APPG for Micro
Businesses ? Education sub group and highlighted however, that in his view and as things stood, The
Gazelle Colleges Group would not be the status quo, but remain the challenger to the norm.
Case Study 7 - Business Studies Teacher, North East England
In their own words, this teacher communicates frustration and uncertainty about the future, the lack
of recognition and support and the championing nature of those who feel as if they are fighting the
system, not working within it:
“Enterprise education in schools is somewhat of a fad, its importance rises and falls on the
whim of the incumbent secretary of state. Therefore there is no stability in its provision,
specialist enterprise teachers can’t be trained whilst formal qualifications are minimal, none
46
are recognised under the current exam structure (good GCSEs), but that seems to change
month by month at the moment.”
“In my experience, it's a willing volunteer (usually a business teacher) that gives up their
breaks, lunches and time after school to try and motivate young people to being enterprising.
In public schools and state schools in leafy suburbs I am sure there are no end of students who
are motivated, enterprising and desperate to set up their own venture. However in inner city
schools it's a very different story. Just getting students to turn up for a meeting about
enterprise is an achievement in itself. With generations of unemployment at home these
students have no work ethic and few enterprising thoughts. The volunteer who is steering the
group generally has to spoon feed the group ideas, do all the planning, collect the necessary
resources then hope to God that the students turn up to the event so that they can be
manipulated by them; essentially the students are just marionettes wheeled out every now
and again to tick the enterprise box and keep the Principal sweet for a few months. There's no
beating down of the teacher’s door by creative, innovative and enterprising students
saying, "Sir, I have had a great idea or can we do this or run this type of event." And as for
mentors provided by organisations that encourage enterprise in young people, forget it –
more often than not they don't turn up!”
“To improve the current situation, there are several things I would like to see happen;
• Firstly, focus on enterprise at primary level, encouraging students to be enterprising at a
young age must surely make things easier down the line.
• Secondly, make timetabled enterprise lessons at secondary level compulsory. We must be
missing out on some of the greatest entrepreneurs, simply because young people don’t get
the chance to develop these skills.
• Thirdly, focus on developing enterprise skills in every lesson, not by having a shop in the
corner but by embedding enterprise skills in to all lessons and informing students the skills
that are being developed in that particular lesson.
• Finally, the Government should stop meddling with enterprise policy. A period of stability
would allow more teachers to specialize, more resources to be developed and possibly more
meaningful enterprise qualifications to be offered.”
Case Study 8 - Julie Derrick, Headteacher, Invicta Grammar School, Kent
Business Partnerships Pay Off
Invicta Grammar school in Kent has based its approach to enterprise education around partnerships
with outside organizations. Headteacher Julie Derrick says:
“A good partnership with local businesses has enabled the students at Invicta Grammar School to
gain an understanding of business and enterprise in a real context. It brings the outside world into
the school and has enabled our students to be far more aware of what is required of them in the
world of work.”
47
“Specific relationships that Invicta have been developing include the local Chamber of Commerce,
Leeds Castle, Chatham Historic Dockyard, and HSBC to name but a few.”
“We work closely with Kent Invicta Chamber, who use their contacts to help us with visits, and
presentations… We have had a long and very successful partnership with the Young Chamber. We
meet with them at the end of each academic year and plan the next one, so that they have our
programme and can work with us to organise speakers. This year we have worked very closely with
HSBC to build financial capability into our Enrichment Day programmes. HSBC have also been very
helpful in enabling students to attend Network Meetings which also provides girls with an insight
into the importance of ‘who you know’.”
Invicta operate monthly Enrichment Days in which the timetable is suspended for a day. The days
are themed and mostly delivered on a year group basis, though some are whole?school days. Julie
says,
“We chose to use Enrichment Days because they give the school a prime opportunity to use and
develop links with business, and allow students to immerse themselves in activities which develop
their enterprise skills and attitudes.”
“Invicta’s Enrichment Days are planned an academic year in advance. A team of staff with
responsibility for WRL, PSHEE, Enterprise, and Financial Capability map the year out for each year
group.”
“This year we have taken this a step further and one member of staff is going to be responsible for
each year group. The themes the school chooses are largely topical… done by brainstorming what
we consider to be the focus of the school. For example, in 2013 our focus has been on raising
achievement and self esteem but in 2014, it is public speaking.”
“Enrichment Days inevitably include aspects of problem solving, financial capability, team work, risk
taking and general entrepreneurial attitude. Every Enrichment Day is audited and the outcomes are
collated. The days have enabled students to work using their enterprise skills with real business
people. Wherever possible, they involve visiting speakers, or visits to real businesses to bring the
activity to life.”
“An example of an effective Enrichment Day is the Year 9 People in Profile Day, which exposed
students to a series of outside speakers from a whole host of local businesses – the local council,
small, medium and larger local businesses. Examples are Zen Languages, a language training
company, who spoke to them about how they had got to where they were now. The students did
some ‘speed networking’, working in groups to find out where each person came from, what they
did, and what they have learnt along the way.”
“Following this, the students had a presentation on what makes a good interview. They were then
given the opportunity to put this information into practice immediately through a series of scenarios
where they had to prepare for, and be, interviewed. Most pupils found this a real challenge and felt
that they were made to think on the spot etc. After they had navigated this challenge, the students
48
had to research and prepare a 10 minute presentation on someone they felt was an important
figure?head. They used their knowledge of careers, and interview techniques to analyse the person
and evaluate whether they were in fact ‘People in Profile’.”
“Despite the fact that Enrichment Days are a real challenge for them, students' always give very
positive feedback. They enjoy being put in challenging situations, having to problem solve and work
in teams. The feedback from the business people was good too – they have all said they would love
to do it again.”
“Another very strong partnership that has undoubtedly brought the real life enterprise skills into
school is our Leeds Castle link. Working with the British Council, a group of students travelled to
Milan and worked with a business school to design fabric, which was then manufactured in Italy. This
has now been made into cushions, specially designed for Leeds Castle, and are now being sold at the
Castle. This very successful project supported another parallel project. A competition was organized
whereby Leeds Castle set students the task of designing a character that could be used to
merchandise the castle. This was used as a Design Technology brief for A?Level students and formed
part of their coursework. The winning design has now been used as a basis for a whole series of
merchandise products, which are on sale at the Castle.”
“Equally, we have had A?Level Business Studies students carry out a marketing survey to help the
Castle review aspects of their portfolio and as a result, they have changed their pricing structure. All
of these projects have not only resulted in some very positive outcomes for Leeds Castle, but they
have provided real life projects for students which have not only been more meaningful, and
therefore motivating, but they have supported students’ A?Level and GCSE work and Curriculum
Vitae.”
“The projects outlined above are just a couple of examples of how successful collaboration has
helped business and education, helped students to secure superb CVs and personal statements for
either work or university. But, most importantly, it has provided them with leadership and problem
solving skills that they would not have developed until they were in the world of work.”
“More projects of this nature should be developed to help students be enterprising. We believe that
all students should have real life experiences. It would really help schools and businesses if this
partnership were to be supported by Government. For the first time this year, we have introduced
Business and Enterprise into our Year 7 curriculum. All students have a one?hour lesson whereby
they develop their knowledge of business and practice entrepreneurial skills. To see such young
students so animated and interested in developing these skills says everything. We have had nothing
but very positive feedback from students, parents and businesses. This should be compulsory for
all!”
49
Case Study 9 - Our Way, Plymstock School
“To create a social enterprise that encourages the use of languages in your school”.
The ‘Our Way’ Trade Experiment was created in January 2013 by a group of Year 10 students
following a challenge set by the Real Ideas Organisation.
‘Our Way’ is an agency set up to promote and support local businesses in the South West with the
objective of increasing sales across the UK, but also to introduce their partners’ products and
services to the French market. The team are truly committed to making an impact through business,
both economically and socially in south?west UK and Brittany in north?west France, whilst proving to
young people that learning a language is much more than just passing an exam – it’s a life skill that
will give them the best possible footings for their future.
Since its inception, Our Way has undergone a branding process, created a host of marketing
materials, attended local events and researched and engaged local businesses whilst generating
positive media coverage through newspapers, magazines, radio and a local news channel.
Joe, the Business Development and Account Manager, explains ‘Our Way’ as he sees it:
“Our Trade Experiment Company, Our Way, is designed to provide local businesses in the South
West with opportunities that will directly impact their sales and business performance in the UK, but
also introduce their businesses, goods or services to the French market. We have a very strong
identity and have worked really hard to develop a style?guide so that the businesses that we work
with know and understand our image and we can work with companies in the South West that fit
our style. These four style guides are that each company must be based in the South West and
completely traceable, have products or services that are unique, quirky and fresh, with products or
services that are of high quality and are ethical with a vintage renewal flavour.”
“The first companies to sign up as ‘Our Way’ partners are The Cornish Crisp Company, Bloomberry
Juice, Blue Horyzon, Sarah Drew and the Traditional Surf Company. These are real companies who
have gained through the work of the team, which has raised the profile of the companies through
social media and direct marketing strategies.”
“In their first year the ‘Our Way’ team have held business meetings in France using and developing
their language skills, traded at the Business Innovation Service in London and presented at a
National Business Conference also in London. They have recently received a prestigious
International Market Builders award from RIO. ‘Our Way’ has been featured in the International
Trade Digest and several other business publications.”
“As individuals the team members have blossomed. They have grown in confidence and gained
valuable business and life skills. They present confidently to large audiences and have impressive
CVs. Through ‘Our Way’ they have arranged work experience at BIS, experienced travel and the
world of business.”
50
“In order to promote similar activities in school, a drive to engage Business partners and some
incentives for participation would help. Organisations like RIO have an incredible effect on
motivation with students making the best of the opportunities and challenges on offer.”
“Any funding from central Government should be focusing on REAL projects such as this not artificial
simulation of the business world.”
Case Study 10 - Studio Schools
The Kirklees Creative and Media Studio School
Studio Schools
132
Based on an online review, Studio Schools are a new concept in education that seeks to address the
growing gap between the skills and knowledge that young people require to succeed, and those that
the current education system provides. Studio Schools pioneer a new approach to learning, which
includes teaching through enterprise projects and real work. This approach is intended to ensure
that students' learning in is rooted in the real world and helps them to develop the skills they need
to flourish in life.
Studio Schools are designed for 14?19 year olds of all abilities. They are usually small schools for 300
students; and with year?round opening and a 9?5 working day. The intention is that they feel more
like a workplace than a school, and they work closely with local employers. Studio Schools offer a
range of academic and vocational qualifications, as well as paid work placements linked directly to
employment opportunities in the local area. Students gain a broad range of employability and life
skills through a skills framework called CREATE, and have the option to go on to university, further
training, and into employment.
The Kirklees Creative and Media Studio School (KCMSS) was the first Studio School to open its doors
in 2010. There are now 27 Studio Schools in the UK with another 13 opening soon.
Kirklees Creative and Media Studio School
133
Recently described by the Education Minister as outstanding, the KCMSS sees businesses and pupils
working side by side. What makes KCMSS different is not what is offered but how it is delivered: they
take learning out of a traditional classroom setting, teaching the curriculum through real?life
enterprise themed projects in the school and the surrounding community. Post 14 and 16 students
thus benefit from studying business?friendly qualifications in an environment that allows them to
apply what they have learnt in the classroom directly into real life business situations. Some of the
pupils even get paid for doing so.
132
http://www.studioschoolstrust.org
133
http://studio?school.org.uk/about
51
The school chose to specialise in creative and media disciplines as there is a wealth of expertise and
success around Kirklees and West Yorkshire where these businesses and services are concerned.
Demand for learning creative and enterprising subjects is high with some of the most successful
courses at the local University of Huddersfield being Media, Art, Textiles and Business.
An Innovative Personalised Curriculum
134
Students at KCMSS are taught the national curriculum and study for formal qualifications through
enquiry?based learning with each student meeting regularly a personal coach to help tailor the
curriculum to their individual needs and aspirations.
Students’ learning is delivered through enterprise themed projects in the school, local businesses
and the community. For example, one project ? commissioned by a local charity – required students
to address the question “How can I tell the story of Macbeth to young offenders”. By engaging with
the brief, students learned about the text and used their creativity to develop a product that
narrated the story to a target audience. Prototypes of the end product were pitched to the charity.
Students who are on the Level 2 learning pathway (14?16 year olds) get the opportunity to study a
variety of academic and vocational subjects, achieving both BTEC and GCSE qualifications. Level 3
students aged 16 and over will study one BTEC subject from a list of subjects under three main
headings: Creative Arts and Media, Fashion and Textiles, and Performing Arts. They will also study
for a BTEC in Business Studies. Level 3 students also have the option of a work placement to enhance
their learning.
Community and Business Engagement
Local creative and media businesses have played an active part in the development of the KCMSS
model from the outset. They helped plan the interim pilot (launched in September 2008) and helped
develop the proposal for a fully?fledged Studio School.
Strong employer engagement has allowed the school to ensure that employability and enterprise
runs through all aspects of the curriculum. Students thus not only gain key qualifications, but
develop the important employability skills and enterprising behaviours that employers have felt
lacking in school leavers for far too long.
Local creative and media businesses are not only linked with the school but located within the school
itself, providing real?time business activity to complement each student’s studies, developing the
business awareness and knowledge that will enable each student to explore their own potential. By
developing numeracy, literacy and presentation skills in a ‘work’ environment, each young person
has improved career options and a better chance of achieving their career goals.
Students work on real, creative and commercial assignments, developing the skills to be effective
and motivated employees. Students rub shoulder to shoulder with creative and media businesses
134http://www.studioschoolstrust.org/sites/default/files/Introduction%20to%20SST%20projects%202013.pdf
52
every day, creating an environment where students can be mentored and given advice by successful
business men and women.
Actual Business Start?up
The Kirklees Youth Enterprise Centre (KYEC)
135
is a hub for young people aged 14 to 19 to develop
their business ideas and create successful enterprises, offering support for a third post?school option
– self?employment. Based within KCMSS, it was opened in January 2014 as part of a £4.9m project
supported by the Department of Education and the European Regional Development Fund.
A team of dedicated business coaches have been put into the KYEC to help young people develop
their business ideas. Young entrepreneurs currently have the opportunity to present their business
plan to a ‘Dragons Den’ panel and access up to £5000 in start?up grant funding. In order to inspire
young people into entrepreneurship, the KYEC has organised a rolling programme of workshops and
inspirational talks delivered by local successful business people and high profile personalities. So far
25 businesses have been set up through KYEC after pitching their business plans to a panel of
‘Dragons’ made up of local business people and external advisors. These businesses range from
Artists to DJs, and Filmmakers to Sculptors.
Links with University
The KCMSS has forged close links with the University of Huddersfield where Professor Tim Thornton,
Pro Vice Chancellor for Teaching and Learning says:
“The blend of education, enterprise and applied business experience that students of the Creative
and Media Studio School will enjoy, will be unique and of real and enduring benefit. The concept of
the school and its performance to date already show that it is delivering the future of education for
students looking for something more and something different out of their time at school. This is
something that the university is keen to take a proactive role in.”
“KCMSS students benefit from visits to the University; further joint projects are currently being
explored. KCMSS have recently come to an agreement with The University of Huddersfield that
ensures all Year 13 students who pass their level 3 courses and have English/Maths GCSE grade C or
above will be given an automatic place at the university on an appropriate course.”
“One of the things that make Studio Schools unique, above and beyond the above commentary, is
their approaches to the assessment of pupil attainment. The CREATE Framework considers
Communication, Relating to others, Enterprise, Application of learning, Thinking and judgment and
Emotional intelligence. Based on the requirements of employers and future opportunities, CREATE
appears to be a clear and comprehensive way of evaluating performance in a constructively aligned
way, to the needs of both industry and the pupils themselves.”
135
http://www.kyec.org.uk/
53
“…extensive research shows that equipping young people with employability skills alone is not
enough. In a competitive and uncertain world, young people also need to think creatively, build
resilience and be able to respond effectively to rapidly changing circumstances. The evidence
suggests that embedding creativity and an ability to respond successfully to change is vital…”
136
Kirklees received special mention in an evaluation of the Studio Schools Trust by the Edge
Foundation, who considered that their enterprise and business engagement was “pushing the
envelope” whilst managing day?to?day issues.
137
However, on the ground things are a little tougher
to manage and the right kind of teacher is critical to success. In order to meet of the conflicting
demands, teachers need to be flexible and manage the learning in very adaptive ways. Director
Laura Lee explains:
“There are barriers at times to setting business projects and "real?life" scenarios within a
national curriculum, mainly the core subjects and examination based subjects. The format for
these qualifications are less flexible so it is tricky at times to respond to business ideas, offers
for placements and also project outcomes. Schools will never compromise the future options
for the students, so with this in mind we always have to balance the necessary learning
demands of the qualification against the development of essential employability skills,
which working with business partners help to develop.
“The point I am making is to ensure there is a realistic expectation between the demands of
qualifications (which is what schools are judged on at the end of the day ? all schools!) and the
contact between students and businesses. The creative subjects at our school are delivered
through BTEC which enables more flexibility to work with business partners. For Level 3
students this type of qualification makes up most of their timetable. This means they are able
to select units in line with particular and current business projects. The teacher has more
control over how to manage these students’ time and deadlines; it works more like a jigsaw
for the teacher.
In this scenario, teachers have to be flexible and willing to respond to businesses/industry
within short notice time?frames. Essentially the whole model is challenging, however, it can be
achieved with careful management and the right type of staffing. Previous industry experts
who are now teachers have proven to be the best performers in this type of model. That is my
opinion. They are able to respond quicker, they are not too hung up on typical teaching
pedagogy and have an understanding of how to handle the 'business' side of things. With
these staff, these students are constantly being assessed against their employability skills
because the teacher has been there, bought the t?shirt and worn it!”
136 The Studio Schools CREATE Skills Framework. Available online at: http://www.studioschoolstrust.org/sites/default/files/CREATE Handout Oct 2012.pdf
137 Hendry, E. and T. Sharpe (2013). An evaluation of the Studio Schools Trust and its role in raising the status of practical
and vocational learning. London, Edge Foundation.
54
Case Study 11 - Monmouth Comprehensive School
The school nestles on the Welsh side of a border that is only a mile and a half away, and attracts
many English as well as Welsh pupils. This offers an opportunity to view the educational system from
both perspectives, and as a case study is quite unique. It addresses the Welsh perspective on
education, and parents and pupils directly reflect on the comparisons that can be made with English
education and recent directives. One of the key points made by the Headmaster during the
interview with him was the value of the Welsh Baccalaureate and how this not only incorporated
enterprise within it, but it also facilitated a much more holistic approach to education. This appealed
to many parents of pupils from over the border. As Vaughan Davies, Headmaster at Monmouth
explains:
“The introduction of the Welsh Bacc at the school and the ambition of Welsh Government to
make this qualification the keystone around which education in Wales is built support our
direction of travel in creating learning for the 21
st
century. The holistic approach, authentic
learning, students leading the learning, recognising the skills and attitudes that employers and
communities are looking for, which form the centre of the Welsh Bacc, chime with what we
are looking to create.”
“At our school the desire to build an inter?disciplinary approach to learning with students at
the centre has helped us move forward with raising expectations and standards. The fruits of
this work are emerging and in some areas we have made progress with outcomes.”
“The outcomes that we are seeing are:
• Improved attitudes to learning – measured by attendance, behaviour and progress data.
• Teaching that is learner focused and collaborative – through lesson observations and
training.
• Students preparing to go further than the glass ceiling of national assessment criteria, from
outcomes for student?led investigations at KS3.
• More creative approaches to learning – through diversity in the way learning and progress is
measured and training for teachers that allows them to lead with the national frameworks
for learning, rather than deliver programmes of study.
• Greater inclusion as all learners are recognised for their unique ways of learning and how
they can contribute to the learning of others – through student responses to learning
discussions.”
“A part of the interview considered the different ways in which children learn and the value of self?
discovery. To some teachers this remained a challenge, however the school’s ambitions were clear
and a staff training day is planned that is based on what Higher Education wants – with a focus on
the QAA’s Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Guidance.”
A note on the Welsh Baccalaureate is below:
55
“The Welsh Baccalaureate was introduced to provide learners with a more rounded educational
experience. It enriches and incorporates existing general and vocational qualifications. It is designed
to prepare learners for higher education and employment.
Following the Review of Qualifications in Wales (2012), the core of the revised Welsh Baccalaureate
will have a clear focus on the following skills: Literacy, Numeracy, Digital Literacy, Critical Thinking
and Problem Solving, Planning and Organisation, Creativity and Innovation and Personal
Effectiveness.
These skills will be developed, applied and assessed through the completion of four 'Challenges',
which will be delivered through the thematic contexts of Community, Global Citizenship, Enterprise
and Employability, and an Individual Project.
It is the intention that these challenges will afford learners the developmental space and autonomy
to make decisions about what to learn and how to learn. In this way learners will be able to draw
from their learning across the curriculum to find and solve real life problems and undertake enquiry?
based learning in authentic contexts.
The Welsh Government is working with a wide range of organisations such as museums, Cadw,
Natural Resources Wales, small and large employers and HEIs to design challenges, which enable
learners to engage constructively with wide?ranging local and national organisations in order to
develop and improve their skills.”
138
Key Findings
• The limited use of playfulness and inquiry?based experiential learning strategies was evident
in our review; however in some cases enthused educators and innovative leadership were
overcoming this limitation.
• Knowledge retention that is easily measured and evaluated dominates the secondary school
learning environment.
• Our review suggests that there is a lack of development in terms of knowledge harvesting
and the challenging of norms though the use of active inquiry techniques.
• Teachers are most concerned about OFSTED and the inspection system, and that most of
their enterprising activities are perceived to be alternative methodologies that work around
current restraints.
• OFSTED inspectors appear to be missing opportunities to assist pupil learning with the
broader community and businesses – because their guidance does not specify such activities
clearly.
• Reports from OFSTED suggest a serious demand for improved leadership and teacher
capability, especially in secondary schools.
138 Description supplied by the Senior Manager for Welsh Baccalaureate and Skills Welsh Government,Department for
Education and Skills (DfES), Qualifications and Regulation Division, General Qualifications Regulation and Development
Branch
56
• OFSTED’s data and subsequent recommendations need to be considered within their own
limitations.
• We have seen evidence of teaching to the test and teachers predominantly concerned with
what is being measured, as opposed to assisting with the development of the innovative and
entrepreneurial mindset.
• Some work is being done to assist pupils through the transition from Primary to Secondary
School, and evidence suggests that enterprise could be a good vehicle with which to achieve
continuity of learning and confidence building.
• Some of the attributes of studio schools, especially their evaluation of learning approaches,
could be transferable into other types of schooling.
• Of the range of countries considered, England appears to be lagging behind ? this is
especially evident when compared to its neighbours in Scotland and Wales.
• European Guidance and similar initiatives could better inform progress.
• The call from Government that this agenda is important is weak, and has not had any great
impact in England.
57
6. University and Colleges Role
If students of Enterprise Education in Higher Education tend not to engage in start up activities
immediately following graduation, how do we as educators determine our success?”
Dr Colin Jones (2011)
139
Introduction
Over the last 50 years the Higher and Further Education (HE and FE) Sectors in the UK have changed
almost beyond recognition. They have become recognised as key components in delivering future
economic prosperity for the country, aiding the development of a highly skilled workforce and a
thriving small firm sector through collaboration with business, provision of innovation and growth
support, development of potential employees with higher?level and enterprise skills, and through
promotion of business start?up as an alternative career route for entrepreneurial students and
graduates. However the question has to be asked, is this enough, especially when we consider that
in 2014, tertiary?level graduates will emerge into a complex and uncertain world containing a UK
enterprise population that has grown to an estimated 4.9 million private sector businesses.
140
The UCAS 2013 End of Cycle Report
141
painted a picture of increased recruitment at the UK’s
universities and colleges. Some 495,596 students were accepted to full time undergraduate courses ?
6.6% up and the highest total ever recorded. Acceptances of UK students to UK institutions are also
at a record level (433,612; 6.7% up), with young people and the most disadvantaged more likely to
enter higher education than ever before, and despite the changes to the tuition fee arrangements,
numbers of part?time students are showing a worrying decline. Although student numbers are up, it
must be noted they are no longer guaranteed a job upon completion of their studies due to an
economic crisis that left major western nations in search of new ways to rebuild their economies.
Despite their higher level of education, they are faced with a complex and uncertain world as they
look to start a career.
In 2008, the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform reported on the
Government’s renewed strategy and vision to make the UK the most enterprising economy in the
world and the best place to start and grow a business (BERR, 2008
142
). It laid out a new enterprise
policy framework around five separate but interlinked themes as key enablers for the country’s
enterprise performance: culture of enterprise, knowledge and skills, access to finance, regulatory
framework, and business innovation. The report highlighted the need for enterprise education from
primary to tertiary education, the Government’s vision of inspiring an enterprising approach among
students and graduates, and the promotion of innovation as a core driver for enterprise. The current
Government laid out a similar vision in July of their first year of office
143
. Here the need for an
139 Jones, C. (2011). Teaching Entrepreneurship to Undergraduates. Cheltenham and Northampton, Edward Elgar
Publishing.
140 Op. cit, Gagliardi?Main, D. e. a. (2013). ANNUAL REPORT ON EUROPEAN SMEs 2012/2013: A recovery on the Horizon?,
SME Performance Review.
141 UCAS (2013). 2013 Application Cycle: End of Cycle Report, UCAS.
142 BERR (2008). Enterprise: Unlocking the UK’s Talent. London, BERR.
143 BIS (2010). Strategy for Sustainable Growth. London, BIS.
58
enterprising culture in which everyone with talent is inspired to take up the challenge of turning
their ideas into successful enterprises, and the need for enterprise education ? including within
Futher and Higher Education ? was reiterated. Recognition of the need to engage all levels of
education in enterprise and entrepreneurship skills development can also be seen in EU and global
policy (e.g. EC 2006
144
, 2007
145
, and 2013
146
; World Economic Forum, 2009
147
).
Tertiary education institutions offer support to entrepreneurs in two main ways: 1) through
enterprise and entrepreneurship education opportunities to students and recent graduates including
business start?up support, and 2) through business development support – particularly around
growth and innovation – for existing entrepreneurs. This chapter will first explore education for
students and graduates of FE and HE, returning to business development later in the section.
The Further Education Context
Enterprise Education and Entrepreneurship Policy
In 1997, a review commissioned for enterprise agencies and the FE sector in Scotland
148
identified
that enterprise content was a key factor in gearing FE to the attainment of Business Birth Rate and
enterprise. There would appear to be a lull there with enterprise and entrepreneurship education in
FE only becoming highlighted in FE?specific educational policy from around 2006
158
.
Examples of Practice
One major systematic initiative ? the Enterprise Education in FE Initiative
149
? began in September
2006. Led by the Association of Colleges and Manchester Metropolitan University and with support
and funding from three Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), the initiative was designed to
introduce and pilot enterprise in 32 colleges in the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, and the
North West. Each participating college received a grant of £9,000 and nominated three members of
staff to act as enterprise champions. Champions committed to attending a Professional
Development course for their region in order to become familiar with the key concepts relevant to
enterprise education, to develop best practice in terms of both teaching and learning, and to
managing the experience within their college. Enterprise activities ? achieving progress towards
business start?up, fostering innovation skills, generating activity relating to social enterprises or
helping larger corporations undertake corporate enterprise activities, were introduced into 29
different vocational areas through of 74 curriculum pilots and engaging around 16,000 students.
144 European Commission (2006). Implementing the Community Lisbon Programme: Fostering Entrepreneurial Mindsets
Through Education and Learning. Brussels, European Commission.
145 European Union (2007). Entrepreneurship Education in Europe: Fostering Entrepreneurial Mindsets through Education
and Learning. Proceedings of the 2006 Oslo Conference. Oslo.
146 European Commission (2013). Entrepreneurship 2020 Action Plan: Reigniting the entrepreneurial spirit in Europe.
Brussels, European Commission.
147 World Economic Forum (2009). Educating the next wave of entrepreneurs. Geneva.
148 The Carnegie UK Trust (2012). Enterprising Minds Enterprise, further education and the UK economy, The Carnegie UK
Trust.
149 Association of Colleges Enterprise Education in FE Initiative: Directory of Curriculum Pilots.
59
External funding often plays an important role in developing enterprise and entrepreneurship
education opportunities, particularly those involving actual business start?up. This can been seen in
Enterprise Education in FE described above with RDA funding, and in other schemes such as the
Net315 project
150
? named after its intention to help generate 315 new businesses by the end of the
project in 2013 ? which received £5.6 million from the European Regional Development Agency to
support FE colleges in Yorkshire and the Humber. Although delivery funding has now ceased, several
partners, including the Leeds City College who lead Net315, continue to provide business start?up
support for their students.
Although systematic support provided at a national level is limited (see below), iniatives such as the
Gazelle Colleges Group and the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy provide enterprise education
opportunites within linked college groupings. The Gazelle Colleges Group of 20 colleges have a
stated belief that they need to equip their students with an entrepreneurial mindset—to be
confident, innovative, resilient, enterprise?aware and willing to ‘have a go’—in order to prepare
them for personal, social and economic success
151
. The Peter Jones Enterprise Academy
152
works
with 30 FE colleges to provide a range of course including a BTEC Level 3 in Enterprise and
Entrepreneurship.
The National Association of College and University Entrepreneurs (NACUE) was awarded a series of
grants by BIS commencing in 2011 in order to “give every college and university student in England
access to an enterprise society by 2015”
153
; 60 FE colleges will have an enterprise society, and a
further 160 will have access to a local enterprise society anchored either by a local HE or FE
institution. In their 2013 Impact Report
154
, NACUE report that 50 FE societies had been created, 9 of
which were classified as active and 31 nascent; 10 were as yet unformalised. The average number of
FE students per society was reported as 31. This student?led perspective is useful, as it adds a
previously unseen dimension to the landscape. However in what is already a complex environment
we must also take into account the potential for duplication of effort and increased competitiveness
as opposed to enhanced vision and direction. As Sir Tim Wilson pointed out in his review of
University?Business collaboration, continued support should be conditional on aligned thinking with
other partners.
155
Impact of Enterprise Education in FE
A 2013 BIS report on the impact of enterprise education in HE and FE
156
found that 275 FE
institutions (74%) offered formal courses that led to a qualification or that were a constituent part of
a qualification. 113 FE colleges (31%) offered full qualifications in enterprise or entrepreneurship,
220 (59%) offered credit?bearing modules, and a further 47 (13%) had embedded provision in their
learning offer. Non?formal provision (including student enterprise clubs and societies) was provided
by 117 colleges (31%) – as NACUE societies would appear to only account for 50 of these 117 (see
150http://www.net315.co.uk/
151http://www.gazellecolleges.com/entrepreneurial?colleges
152http://www.pjea.org.uk/
153http://nacue.com/wp?content/uploads/2011/11/BIS?project?press?release.pdf
154 NACUE (2013). Society Impact Report.
155 See Sir Tim Wilson’s Recommendation 2. Wilson, T. (2012). A Review of Business–University Collaboration. London.
156 BIS (2013). Enterprise Education Impact in Higher and Further Education: Final Report. London.
60
above), it would be interesting to explore what other provision is provided. Only 51 colleges (13%)
do not provide any form of enterprise learning opportunity
157
.
Of particular note is that all examples of full qualifications and credit?bearing units offered by FE
colleges reported to the BIS researchers were delivered in a Business department. There are two
main points to consider here. First, as students choose formal courses to study, only those who self?
define as potential entrepreneurs and/or those with a strong interest in learning about business will
benefit; students taking courses in other disciplines will miss out and may not consider business
start?up as an appropriate career option as a result. Second, projects such as the Enterprise
Education in FE Initiatives reported above have embedded enterprise into the subject specific
curriculum and yet there is no evidence of enterprise education outside of the business school here.
Did these courses/units close before the BIS research was conducted? Or, perhaps more likely, were
they missed due to limited understanding of enterprise and where to find it by local information
providers? The latter is a theme that will be returned to in the section on the HE Context.
The Carnegie UK Trust produced a research report into 1600 FE students’ attitudes towards
enterprise in 2012. They found that substantial majority of those who have been involved in an
enterprise activity had found it useful, were more likely to think in enterprising ways about their
own futures, and were more likely to consider setting up a business in their own working lives, or
working self?employed. The report also found that those studying beauty and technically applied
courses (e.g. plumbing or car maintenance) were most likely to have chosen their courses with
enterprising outcomes in mind, to have engaged with enterprise education at college, and to then
expect an enterprising future in work. The latter result may again question the BIS finding above that
enterprise education was exclusively found in the Business domain.
Challenges for Engagement
A 2010 report commissioned by SEEDA and NESTA
158
suggested several challenges to engagement
with enterprise education in FE. These included ambiguity in the definitions used, resulting in
‘enterprise’ frequently being reduced to the development of business start?up skills and the
incorrect assumption that enterprise is only relevant to a minority of college students. Major
structural issues were identified such as lack of space in the curriculum, lack of reference to
enterprise within the OFSTED inspection framework, and no general UK?wide funding stream for
developing and delivering enterprise within colleges. Institutional issues included resistance to
change, lack of understanding of the benefits (for the college and its students) of embedding
enterprise, lack of support and commitment from senior leaders, lack of advice and support for both
senior leaders and lecturers; little time within lecturers’ schedules to learn how to incorporate
enterprise, and a risk?averse culture.
Further, a lot of teacher evaluation focuses on what teachers and educators do in the classroom,
however, within curricular work learner evaluation and assessment strategies are central to the
157 For information on how an FE college can successfully work with its local businesses and schools to create an
enterprising community, see the Gower College case study on page 100.
158 Qa Research and Kate Beresford Associates (2010). Evaluating the Enterprising Further Education pilot: First interim
report.
61
process; arguably there is no point in assessing what you have not taught. This raises the question as
to what is learned but not assessed, and conversely, what is assessed and is it appropriate to what
has been learned? The theory of constructive alignment developed by John Biggs in 2003
159
is useful
in this context.
Constructive alignment has two aspects, the ‘alignment’ references what the teacher does when
setting up a learning environment, and the ‘constructive’ references the way that the learner will
construct their own meaning from the educational experience.
“To really understand something, you see the world differently, and behave differently
towards that part of the world… We want lawyers to make good legal decisions, doctors to
make accurate diagnoses, physicists to think and behave like physicists. After graduation, all
our students, whatever their degree program, should see a section of their world differently,
and to behave differently towards it, expertly and wisely. Thus, simply telling our students
about that part of the world, and getting them to read about it, is not likely to achieve our
DLOs (Desired Learning Outcomes) with the majority of students. Good students will turn
declarative into functioning knowledge in time, but most will not if they are not required
to.”
160
In enterprise education we really do want our learners to see the world differently, so as to enable
them to spot opportunities and to behave in ways that wisely utilize their understanding, hence
offering assessment that is meaningful in the full context of their learning is important. However
there is another factor that we need to consider in this context, that of motivation. As explained by
Gibbs and Simpson of Oxford University and the Open University:
“The most reliable, rigorous and cheat proof assessment systems are often accompanied by
dull and lifeless learning that has short lasting outcomes – indeed they often lead to such
learning… standards will be improved by improving student learning rather than by better
measurement of limited learning”
161
.
Teaching ‘about’ is relatively easy to measure through essay writing and the compilation of facts.
However, teaching ‘for’ enterprise and entrepreneurship is more complex, as we wish to enable our
learners to progress and to demonstrate their abilities, not simply discuss them. Hence the writing of
essays and reports have limited value in this context.
In 2010 it was reported that there was no single UK?wide system of support to assist colleges to
introduce and embed enterprise; instead support was fragmented with a degree of overlap. In
addition small organisations and groupings, there were two UK?wide initiatives: the FEEN led by
159 Biggs, J (2003) Aligning Teaching and Assessing to Course Objectives. Learning in Higher Education: New Trends and
Innovations. University of Aveiro, 13?17 April, 2003. Available online at: http://scholar.google.co.uk/scholar_url?hl=en&q=https://www.dkit.ie/ga/system/files/Aligning_Reaching_and_Assessing_
to_Course_Objectives_John_Biggs.pdf&sa=X&scisig=AAGBfm3U1YFLnqrSiZZJ3QmdHwSgFbCdXA&oi=scholarr&ei=uEHpUsX
sHui07QabwID4BQ&ved=0CC8QgAMoADAA
160 Ibid. Biggs (2003), 2
161 Gibbs, G and Simpson, C (2004) Conditions Under Which Assessment Supports Student’s Learning, Learning and
Teaching in Higher Education, Issue 1, 2004?05, 3
62
Enterprise UK, and the Enterprise Network run by the teacher supporting organisation SSAT. These
iniatiatives have now ceased with no obvious successors. Some enterprise education support is
provided by Enterprise Village
162
, but their main focus is for enterprise in schools rather than
colleges.
Despite the existence of the challenges raised above, there is evidence of good practice and positive
impact across the UK. A recent ‘Good Practice’ Report (OFSTED, 2012
163
), presented the key factors
required in the successful promotion of enterprise?related skills and entrepreneurial capability in 15
high?performing FEIs. The report highlighted a number of key factors in the successful promotion of
enterprise?related skills and entrepreneurial capability emerged across the sample. These included:
• The commitment of the principal and senior leaders to promoting enterprise?related skills
and entrepreneurial capability.
• An extensive enterprise?related provision that was not a ‘bolt?on’ but was an integral and
coherent part of students’ experience while at college, within their mainstream assignment
work, tutorial sessions, additional work?related activities and experiences, and work
placement.
• Highly skilled staff who had excellent knowledge and experience, maintained strong links
with their sectors and were fully committed to promoting and developing students’
enterprise?related skills in the context of their subject specialism.
• Teaching that consistently promoted enterprise?related skills regardless of the subject
specific focus.
• Very strong links with local employers that informed, supported and enhanced curriculum
provision, facilitated high?quality work experience, and ensured that students were made
fully aware of the professional or business context of their studies and the skills and
attributes required.
• Learning that took place in facilities and environments that modelled industry standards and
provided students with experiences that reflected real employment situations.
• Good outcomes for students in relation to success rates in formal qualifications and the
successful development of enterprise?related skills and entrepreneurial capability as
reflected in student successes in a variety of enterprising contexts, as well as progression to
higher education, further training, employment or self?employment.
Evidence from site visits indicated that there was no single approach that led to the successful
promotion of enterprise other than a commitment to well?thought?out and high?quality provision.
No single model of curriculum delivery proved more effective than any other.
162http://www.enterprisevillage.org.uk/
163 OFSTED (2012). Promoting enterprise in vocational courses for 16–19?year?old students in colleges London, OFSTED.
63
The 2012 OFSTED report made two specific recommendations to BIS and DfE. These were to:
• Ensure that colleges provide a minimum entitlement for all students to develop their
enterprise?related skills so that on completion of their courses they have not only gained
formal qualifications but have also developed skills that will enhance their employment or
self?employment prospects.
• Collect, monitor and report on college destination data in relation to employment and self?
employment in order to provide regional and national trends for the college sector.
The Higher Education Context
Enterprise Education and Entrepreneurship Policy
In 1997 the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education (Dearing, 1997
164
) recommended
that universities consider the scope for encouraging entrepreneurship through innovative
approaches to programme design. By 2000, business and entrepreneurial development had been
listed as one of four strategic goals for British universities (Universities UK, 2000
165
), with the UK
Government introducing a significant third funding stream to higher education institutions with the
aim of stimulating universities to reach out to business and the community called the Higher
Education Innovation Fund (HEIF). The broad aim of this initiative was to add value to society and
the economy though the transfer of knowledge, and presented an opportunity for HEI’s to
contribute to the development of entrepreneurial and enterprising staff, students, and graduates
(Davies et al., 2002
166
).
University graduate entrepreneurship in the UK and Europe has been seen as a vital source of
competitiveness and a possible stimulus for economic growth and development of a future
knowledge?based economy (BIS, 2010
143
; BERR 2008
142
; European Commission, 2013
167
, 2008
168
and
2006
169
). Universities’ commitment to student entrepreneurship – as a contributer of knowledge
exchange ? has also been praised in a 2011 HEFCE report
170
.
A review of Business?University collaboration was conducted by Lambert in 2003
171
. Two specific
aspects of entrepreneurship support for students were highlighted: 1) the work of the Science
Enterprise Challenge centres (see below for more detail); and 2) a feasibility study that was being
carried out by Government with respect to establising a Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship to
encourage more students and graduates to set up their own businesses, and to provide support to
164 Dearing, R. (1997). Higher Education in the Learning Society, The National Committee of Enquiry into Higher Education.
165 Universities UK (2000). A Forward Look: Highlights of our Corporate Plan 2001?2004., Universities UK.
166 Davis, J., M. Hides and J. Powell (2002). "Defining the development needs of entrepreneurs in SMEs." Education +
Training 44(8/9): 406?412.
167 European Commission (2012). ENTREPRENEURSHIP 2020 ACTION PLAN? Reigniting the entrepreneurial spirit in Europe,
European Commission.
168 European Commission (2008). Entrepreneurship in Higher Education, Especially in Non?Business Studies: Report of the
Expert Group. Brussels, European Commission.
169 European Commission (2006). Implementing the Community Lisbon Programme: Fostering Entrepreneurial Mindsets
Through Education and Learning. Brussels, European Commission.
170 HEFCE (2011). Opportunity, choice, and excellence in Higher Education.
171 Lambert (2003). Lambert Review of Business?University Collaboration: Final Report.
64
them. The National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship was born in 2004, later changing it’s
name to the National Centre for Entrepreneurship in Education (NCEE) to reflect the inclusion of all
levels of education, not just HE
172
. NCEE provided support to students and graduates through
initatives such as the Flying Start and Make it Happen programmes, but also worked with
organisations such as Enterprise Educators UK (EEUK) to develop training programmes with
educators and leaders of entrepreneurial universities. It no longer delivers direct entrepreneurship
support to students, but continues to work with educators and leaders and provides a bi?annual
mapping survey of enterprise and entrepreneurship education provision in HE.
Around 10 years after the Lambert report, a further review of Business?University collaboration was
conducted by Prof Sir Tim Wilson
173
. The review made 30 substantive and 24 reflective
recommendations including the following:
• Universities should reflect on the strategies they use to ensure that students have the
opportunity to develop enterprise skills both through the formal curriculum and through
optional study or practice, and reflect on the integration of enterprise education in the
professional development programmes for academic staff. (Reflective recommendation 6,
paragraph 4.3.3)
• All full?time PhD students should have an opportunity to experience at least one 8 to 12
week internship during their period of study and should be encouraged to attend a short
intensive enterprise skills programme alongside research students from other departments
of the university. Universities should increase support for postgraduate students seeking to
set up their own businesses. (Recommendation 21, paragraph 5.9.3)
• The Wilson review and the subsequent Witty review
174
also made several recommendations
relating to HE support for the business community. This will be expanded on later in this
chapter.
Throughout this report mention is made of the lack of clarity in definitions around enterprise and
entrepreneurship. A major step forward for HE was taken with the publication of the sector’s Quality
Assurance Agency guidelines for enterprise and entrepreneurship (QAA, 2012
175
). The guidelines
define enterprise education as a process of equipping students with an enhanced capacity to
generate ideas and the skills to make them happen. Entrepreneurship education is defined as the
application of enterprise skills specifically to creating and growing organisations in order to identify
and build on opportunities, equipping students with the additional knowledge, attributes and
capabilities required to apply these abilities in the context of setting up a new venture or business.
As such, in the first instance enterprise education is necessary to develop a distinctive mindset.
Importantly, a business context is not a requirement for enterprise education, whereas it is for
entrepreneurship education. More importantly, it is not prescriptive about how provision should be
structured or delivered; rather, it offers a point of reference that may be helpful for all educators,
172http://www.ncee.org.uk/impact_of_ncee
173 Wilson, T. (2012). A Review of Business–University Collaboration. London.
174 Witty, A. (2013). Encouraging a British Invention Revolution: Sir Andrew Witty’s Review of Universities and Growth.
London.
175 QAA Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Education Guidance
65
whether they are subject specialists or part of an enterprise?specific delivery team. Although the
emphasis in the guidance is on curricular rather than extra?curricular learning, the latter is
encouraged as part of an educational ecosystem.
The QAA guidelines stress that the ultimate goal of enterprise and entrepreneurship education is to
develop entrepreneurial effectiveness. Students will attain entrepreneurial effectiveness to different
degrees, and in differing ways, based on a wide range of variables such as their personality, prior
learning, motivation, ability, and context. Multidisciplinary approaches and mixed pedagogies are
likely to be appropriate. This allows students to achieve a balance of skills and knowledge related to
the three contributory aspects: enterprise awareness, entrepreneurial mindset, and entrepreneurial
capability.
Examples of Practice
There have been substantial efforts to support development of entrepreneurship education for
graduates through various national Government initiatives since the 1980s with the Enterprise in
Higher Education (EHE) initiative, funded by the Employment Department, and subsequently the
Department for Education and Employment from 1987 until 1996. It was a response to concerns that
HE was failing to provide graduates who were employment or enterprise?oriented, and it focussed
on the need for an effective supply of higher skills into the workforce, on the employability of
graduates, and on the role of personal or transferable skills in making graduates effective
contributors at work. 56 HEIs were given contracts worth £1 million each over 5 years to deliver
various types of enterprise education activity. There were also twinning projects involving 2 or more
universities, and networks within specific disciplines were set up (York Consulting Ltd, 1999
176
). York
Consulting Ltd’s evaluation of EHE concluded that it changed the mindset of HEIs to include
employability and enterprise as legitimate concerns of HE, however, the concerns it was set up to
address and the primary benefits listed (greater emphasis on the employment skills and effects
associated with study; a greater preparedness of graduates for employment; and an increase in the
number of ‘good’ graduates) suggest that the initiative was or became more concerned with
employability within existing businesses than about the potential for self?employability and business
start?up; enterprise outcomes are not listed.
In 1999, the 12 Science Enterprise Challenge centres (SECs) were set up in UK Universities. A further
SEC, the Mercia Institute of Enterprise (MIE) was launched in 2001. Funded by the OST and DTI until
2004, SECs aimed to build the level of awareness of the innovation and entrepreneurship agenda
and to encourage a greater degree of engagement with it amongst students and staff. An example of
an SEC initiative can be seen in the Technology Enhanced Enterprise Education project out of the
MIE that made online enterprise and entrepreneurship education materials available to 13,000 non?
Business School students, and involved 500 academic and support staff
177
. The SEC network seeded
the UKSEC network of enterprise educators that later became Enterprise Educators UK (EEUK).
The success of the SEC network was rewarded in 2003 with the inclusion of enterprise and
entrepreneurship education as appropriate activity in the second round of the Higher Education
176 York Consulting Ltd (1999). Enterprise in Higher Education – Changing the Mindset
177 Smith, K. (2007). "Supporting e?learning in enterprise: the TE3 project." Education + Training 49(8/9): 656?670.
66
Innovation Fund
178
(HEIF 2). HEIF 3 again provided formula?calculated funds to individual universities
for knowledge transfer activity in addition to an opportunity to bid for funds for collaborative
projects. One such collaboration was Student Placements for Entrepreneurs in Education (SPEED),
which started in 2006, with the intention to help 750 budding student entrepreneurs gain real
business start?up experience while studying at university
179
. SPEED continued after the end of the
HEIF 3 funded period in 2006 with support of various RDAs and ERDF funds.
In 2004, the DfES instigated the Encouraging Student Enterprise Project where Higher Education
Academy Subject Centres were funded to inspire and encourage students to explore the possibilities
of setting up their own business within their particular subject areas. As an example, the English
Subject Centre worked with English Studies students to learn about freelancing as a career in the
cultural and heritage sector
180
.
Between 2005 and 2009 HEFCE invested £315 million in the Centres for Excellence in Teaching and
Learning (CETL) programme (SQW, 2011
181
). 74 centres of varying sizes were created, including 19
collaborations of HEIs. CETLs covered a wide range of pedagogic and subject?based themes however,
most pertinent here, they included Leeds Metropolitan University’s Institute for Enterprise, the
White Rose Centre for Excellence in the Teaching and Learning of Enterprise, and the University of
Nottingham’s Centre for the Advancement of Integrative Learning, combining entrepreneurship
education, History and the PADSHE project (personal development planning and ePortfolios). The
University of Plymouth’s Experiential Learning in Environmental and Natural Sciences CETL also
explicitly included support for entrepreneurship. A 2011 report on the work of the Institute of
Enterprise ? with in?depth case studies showing how enterprise and entrepreneurship can be
embedded into the subject?specific context ? can be found in a publication entitled “Inspiring
Enterprise: Transforming Enterprise Education at Leeds Metropolitan University”.
182
Despite the
demise of the CETL when funding ceased, it had already made a significant contribution to the
overall UK landscape, not least that the UK Quality Assurance and Higher Education Academy
launched preliminary work on the QAA Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Guidance there in 2010.
183
Most, if not all, of the initiatives described above have looked to contextualize enterprise and
entrepreneurship so that it is explicitly relevant to the subjects that students have chosen to study.
Students often learn from lecturers in their own discipline rather than from business lecturers.
Engagement in enterprise and entrepreneurship education by non?specialists can be intimidating;
educators may lack confidence in their abilities and may not understand what it is they are expected
to teach. Enterprise champions can help as described in the case study looking at the award?winning
work of Neil Coles at Cardiff University on page 99.
178http://www.hefce.ac.uk/whatwedo/kes/heif/
179 Woodier?Harris, N. (2010). "Evaluating the impact of SPEED on students' career choices: a pilot study." Education +
Training 52(6/7): 463?476.
180http://www.english.heacademy.ac.uk/explore/resources/careers/enterprise.php
181 SQW (2011). Summative evaluation of the CETL programme: Final report to HEFCE and DEL.
182 Leeds Metropolitan University (2011). Inspiring Enterprise:
Transforming Enterprise Education at Leeds Metropolitan University. R. Kill and K. O’Rourke. Leeds, Leeds Metropolitan
University.
183 See: http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/business...sigs/260210_shaping_quality_and_assessment_in
_entrepreneurship_education
67
As in FE, enterprise societies offer an additional route to engagement with enterprise and
entrepreneurship whilst studying, however such societies are more established in HE than in FE. One
society movement, Enactus (previously known as Students in Free Enterprise or SIFE) was founded in
America in 1975 to mobilize university students to make a difference in their communities while
developing the skills to become socially responsible business leaders. Over 60,000 students in 39
countries and 1,650 universities are currently engaged with Enactus, including 3,000 students from
54 UK Universities. Other types of enterprise?related society were founded depending on their
institution’s needs. In 2009, 12 presidents of UK university enterprise societies came together to
form NACUE in order to share their knowledge and to support society creation and development; 15
universities were listed as full NACUE members in their 2013 impact report
154
. NACUE also have a
chapter dedicated to creative enterprise societies through NACUE Create
184
. Through the BIS?funded
enterprise society initiative, NACUE supported 86 university enterprise societies in 2013 through a
range of events and activities
154
.
The vast majority of universities provide new venture creation support to their students and/or
recent graduates (see Impact of Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Education in HE section below).
Much of this activity is supported with EU funding such as the European Regional Development Fund
(ERDF)
191
. Examples of EU funded programmes include SPEED Plus
185
extending the activity of the
SPEED project described above in the West Midlands, the North West Enterprise Champions
Project
186
, and Yorkshire and the Humber’s Graduate Entrepreneurship Project
187
. Various models of
start?up support exist, with units based in careers services, knowledge transfer offices, academic
schools, or elsewhere. The wide variety of provision can make provision of start?up support in HEIs
appear confusing but can also be seen as a positive, with HEIs providing support best matched to
their student and administrative needs.
Social enterprise is of growing interest in HE as well as in the wider community. A collaboration
between HEFCE and a social enterprise support organization – UnLtd – commenced in 2009 in order
to encourage engagement by staff and students. A second year?long phase of the collaboration
(2012/2013) saw more than 750 awards of cash and support made to social entrepreneurs from 56
HEIs, with a combined value of over £1.4 million
188
. HECFE will invest a further £2 million in 2014 to
encourage HEIs to act as ‘hubs’ to support social entrepreneurs beyond their staff and students, and
to take the lead in supporting social inclusion and economic development in their communities.
Details of the 2014 scheme were not available at the time of writing this report.
Another potential growth area for university?based enterprise and entrepreneurship is through
postgraduate research students who are arguably best placed to create and drive forward high?tech,
high?growth business ideas (e.g. Smith, 2013)
189
. Vitae, an organization supporting research staff and
postgraduate researchers, have developed an enterprise lens on the nationally recognised
184http://create.nacue.com
185http://www.speed?plus.org
186http://www.ncee.org.uk/entrepreneurship_education/enterprise_champions
187http://graduateentrepreneurship.co.uk
188http://www.hefce.ac.uk/news/newsarchive/2013/news85207.html
189 Smith, K., W. D, N. Yasin and I. Pitchford (2013). Enterprise skills and training needs of postgraduate research students.
Proceedings of the 2013 ISBE National Conference, Cardiff.
68
Researcher Development Framework (RDF)
190
. The lens looks at the general skills expected of
researchers listed in the RDF, highlighting where enterprise can sit and giving examples of
enterprising behaviours and attitudes appropriate to a research career.
Impact of Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Education in HE.
The extent of enterprise and entrepreneurship education provision in HE is routinely measured
through a variety of relevant surveys. Collection of data in this area can be a challenge, but the
results of the surveys described below provide a rich source of information over a number of years.
A recent snapshot study was also commissioned by BIS in 2013.
The BIS impact report on enterprise and entrepreneurship education
156
found that 91 HEIs (70%)
offered formal courses that led to a qualification or that were a constituent part of a qualification. 34
HEIs (26%) offered full qualifications in enterprise or entrepreneurship, 80 (61%) offered credit?
bearing modules, and 47 (36%) had embedded provision in their learning offer. Non?formal provision
(including student enterprise clubs and societies) was provided by 80 HEIs (61%). Only 12 HEIs (9%)
report that they do not provide any form of enterprise learning opportunity. Again (see FE context
above), enterprise and entrepreneurship education was found to be largely the responsibility of one
academic department (60 of 103 HEIs) and was usually based in the Business School. However, there
was more diversity in terms of the offer within HEIs compared with FEIs with 35 HEIs offering formal
enterprise in 2 departments, 6 HEIs in 3 departments, and 2 HEIs ? Southampton Solent University
and the University of Huddersfield ? providing formal enterprise education in five or more
departments.
The NCEE’s bi?annual mapping survey for 2012
191
reported data from 89 HEIs in England (response
rate of 79%). 99% of responding HEIs reported support student enterprise and graduate
entrepreneurship. 85% of respondents offered credit?bearing awards and modules in enterprise and
entrepreneurship leading to academic qualifications; 50% were reported as provided by the HEI’s
Business School. 96% provided extra?curricular support – a substantially different figure to the BIS
findings reported above which may be explained by the possible exclusion of business start?up
activity from the BIS report. 92% of the 85 HEIs who responded to the specific question provided
support for students and graduates in new venture creation. These are excellent figures that show
that HEIs provide a good range of support for student entrepreneurship. However, the underlying
engagement rate – the number of students engaged enterprise or entrepreneurship was 18%
suggesting that a large pool of potential entrepreneurs is still to be reached.
Two other impact surveys are of interest here: HEBCI and DLHE. HEBCI is the Higher Education ?
Business and Community Interaction survey that collects data on HEI knowledge transfer activity. A
sub?set of questions is related to graduate business spin?out (students and graduates up to one year
after graduation). Data for 2011/2012 showed that 2,726 graduate start?ups were established and
that the 7,036 businesses still active in the data collection period (including those established in the
previous three years) had created 13,617 jobs and had a £346 million turnover. These data are
190 Vitae Enterprise lens on the Vitae Researcher Development Framework.
191 Hannon, P. and A. Shore (2013). 2012 Mapping of Enterprise and Entrepreneurship in Higher Education: 2012 Survey
Findings. Proceedings of the 2013 ISBE National Conference. Cardiff.
69
useful and could potentially show the impact of entrepreneurship education on actual business
start?up. The information is difficult to collect however, particularly for information on jobs created,
turnover, and external investment. This is because the data collection process requires resourcing
and an on?going relationship with business start?ups. The latter can be particularly challenging for
HEIs without a strong alumni office. Data collection issues mean that a large number of institutions
are unable to return information for one or more of the six questions relating to graduate spin?out.
The second survey mentioned above – the Destinations of Leavers from HE, or DLHE ? asks leavers
from higher education what they are doing six months after graduation. This year for the first time,
information on self?employment or working towards self?employment will be explicitly gathered.
The results are awaited with expectation and could potentially be used to explore longitudinal
trends on self?employment and business start?up during or immediately after graduation.
The surveys above show that there is relatively good coverage of provision both in and outside the
curriculum with evidence of graduate spin?out and business creation, but how can we be sure that
the two are linked and what are the longer?term effects?
Research has shown that graduates are more likely to be involved with early?stage entrepreneurial
activity than non?graduates (Kwong et al., 2007
192
) and to be owners or founders of high?growth
companies (NCGE, 2008
193
), however graduate entrepreneurs are also more likely to close
businesses to return to paid employment before their businesses become fully established
192.
There
are further issues with attracting HE students into an entrepreneurial career in the first place as
entrepreneurial intent decreases at the highest levels of education, and the pipeline of potential
graduate entrepreneurs is therefore smaller than might be expected (Weaver, 2006
194
).
.
A study of
young people at a regional level in Yorkshire and the Humber (Dubit, 2009
195
) echoed Weaver’s
pattern in the US showing that there is a drop?off in business aspiration for students in HE. The
results lead Dubit to recommend that there should be a reduced focus on the region’s universities as
centres for entrepreneurship, and that efforts here should be abandoned in preference to lower
levels of education where limited funds might be of more use.
Looking at UK GEM data in more depth, Kwong et al.
192
found that graduates had a lower opinion of
entrepreneurship as a good career choice, and possessed more negative attitudes towards the
status of entrepreneurship in society. However, enterprise training at university was found to
mitigate graduates’ negative attitudes towards entrepreneurship and increase their likelihood to
participate measured by nascent, baby business, and total early?stage entrepreneurship
participation indexes. Engagement in entrepreneurial learning at university has been shown to
192 Kwong, C., D. Brooksbank and D. Jones?Evans (2007). The State of Graduate Entrepreneurship in the UK: Preliminary
Policy Paper Based on GEM 2005 Data. Birmingham, National Council of Graduate Entrepreneurship.
193NCGE (2008). Developing Entrepreneurial Graduates: Putting Entrepreneurship at the Centre of Higher Education.
Birmingham, A joint report by CIHE, NCGE, and NESTA.
194 Weaver, M., P. Dickson and G. Solomon (2006). Entrepreneurship and Education: What is Known and Not Known about
the Links Between Education and Entrepreneurial Activity. The Small Business Economy for Data Year 2005: A Report to
the President. Washington, US., United States Government Printing Office.
195 Dubit (2009). Capturing the Enterprise Potential of Young People Across the Yorkshire and Humber Regions. Yorkshire
and Humber, Business Link.
70
influence entrepreneurial intent (Greene and Saridakis, 2007
196
), and actual business start?up
(Blackford et al., 2009
197
).
The BIS impact study of enterprise and entrepreneurship education in HE
198
concluded that
participating students acquire relevant business?related knowledge, skills and competences, and are
more likely to change attitudes (such as risk taking) and intentions (such as around being self?
employed or being entrepreneurial). Although the BIS report suggested that evidence around the
impact of enterprise and entrepreneurship education on actual business start?up is currently
inconculsive. It adds support to the proposal that university?based enterprise education and start?up
support programmes are required to overcome negative attitudes towards an entrepreneurial
career and loss of potential entrepreneurs to the job market.
The lack of evidence of a direct relationship between tertiary level curriculum?based enterprise or
entrepreneurship education and actual business start?up is not necessarily unexpected; consider
that successful start?up is likely to be contingent on (a) knowledge (through education and
professional experience); (b) financial resources (personal savings, bank loans, venture capital and
different forms of public support); and (c) relations (family, personal, professional, institutional
relations, etc.) (Uzunidis, 2014
199
). Higher education can develop knowledge through both
enterprise/entrepreneurship education and subject?specific study but professional experience,
financial resources, and relationships will necessarily take time to develop – young graduates around
the age 21 are therefore likely to need additional years of employment before they are ready to
forge out on their own.
The studies described here suggest that engagement with enterprise and entrepreneurship whilst at
university increases entrepreneurial intent and can lead to actual business start?up. It suggests that
the role of Universities should be to help develop graduates with an entrepreneurial mindset who
are knowledgeable, curious, open to and able to seek out opportunities, and who have the
confidence to explore business start?up when the time is right to do so. For some – particularly
graduates of practice?based subjects (such as art and design, music, etc.) and those interested in
retail ? this could be immediately on graduation, but for the majority there could be a gap of several
years or more than a decade.
Going Beyond the Business School.
As reported above, surveys of enterprise and entrepreneurship education have shown that the vast
majority of provision emanates out of Business Schools and Departments for FE, and to a lesser but
still substantial extent, HE. This is despite the HEI, Government and other externally supported
initiatives described above which were set up with the express intention to embed enterprise
education in non?business subjects.
196 Greene, F. J. and G. Saridakis (2007). Understanding the Factors Influencing Graduate Entrepreneurship. Birmingham,
National Council of Graduate Entrepreneurship.
197 Blackford, B., T. Sebora and T. Whitehill (2009). "The Effects of Collegiate Entrepreneurship Education on Post?
Graduation Start?up of New Ventures: A First Look." International Review of Entrepreneurship 7(3): 1?26.
198 BIS (2013). Enterprise Education Impact in Higher and Further Education: Final Report. London.
199 Uzunidis, D., S. Boutillier and B. Laperche (2014). "The entrepreneur's ‘resource potential’ and the organic square of
entrepreneurship: definition and application to the French case." Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship 3(1).
71
There are at least three potential reasons for the mismatch between the amount of non?business led
activity that might be expected and the survey reports: 1) that subject?specific activity ceases with
removal of funding or when leading academics move on, 2) that impact for these initiatives are too
small?scale to be captured when compared to the Business School offer, or 3) that surveys have
necessarily used single point gatekeepers for data that may not themselves understand what to look
for in terms of enterprise or entrepreneurship education, or who themselves have limited
information available to pass on; further exploration is required.
If real, the continued dominance of Business Schools as the sole provider of enterprise and
entrepreneurship education ? with the exception of embedded learning for their own students ? is
not ideal. This is not to say that business academics do not have a role to play in supporting
colleagues in other areas however; a 2008 European Commission report on entrepreneurship
education in HE
168
concluded that:
“It is questionable whether Business Schools are the most appropriate place to teach
entrepreneurship: innovative and viable business ideas are more likely to arise from technical,
scientific and creative studies. So the real challenge is to build inter?disciplinary approaches,
making entrepreneurship education accessible to all students, creating teams for the
development and exploitation of business ideas, mixing students from economic and business
studies with students from other faculties and with different backgrounds.” (p 7).
This is echoed by a report from Lord Young in 2012
200
who, in relation to student entrepreneurship,
stated:
“In too many institutions, enterprise has been corralled into a single, typically high technology
faculty. Similar mistakes were made in the United States with a concentration of enterprise
into the business school, even though most start? ups come from the humanities.” (p 12)
In 2010 the USA?based organisation ‘The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business’
determined that educational changes were needed to reflect the demands of society. These included
more interdisciplinary approaches, addressing the need to develop deeper learning through
pedagogic change, the development of networks beyond the school and university and seeking out
new and different ways to foster innovation, perceiving it to be the best hope of ensuring the
legitimacy of business education:
“Every Business School should evaluate its role in fostering innovation depending on its unique
assets and relative strengths… This means regularly revisiting its vision and mission as it relates
to innovation”.
201
The report also comments on the fact that innovation has a higher purpose than simply money
making; it can be strategically disruptive and used to engage in cultural and social issues.
200 Lord Young (2012). Make Business Your Business: Supporting the Start?Up and Development of Small Business.
201 The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (2010). Business Schools on an Innovation Mission: Report
of the AACSB International Task Force on Business Schools and Innovation. Florida, AACSB International.
72
In the UK, the Association of Business Schools have also taken on board this need, with conferences
on teaching and learning that include tracks on entrepreneurship and keynote speeches on
innovation. For example, their 2012 conference, run in collaboration with the Higher Education
Academy, was entitled “Innovation in Challenging Times”, because the nature of change required in
teaching and learning was recognised to be significant and demanding; it was not yet embedded
within the business teaching and learning communities.
202
This is a welcome and very recent departure for Business Schools, as far as enterprise education is
concerned; because, as Pittaway and Edwards (2013), observed they were disheartened to discover
in their international survey:
“More innovative forms of educational practice, such as those categorized as “Through”
approaches or “Embedded” approaches were significantly more marginal within the data.
Over 50% of entrepreneurship education sampled here is, therefore, focused on helping
students understand the phenomenon rather than preparing them for genuine
entrepreneurial activity. There is little difference between the UK and the USA… learning
outcomes sought by educators unfortunately mirrors this somewhat unattractive picture; and
the majority of learning outcomes aim to enable students to acquire knowledge “About” the
subject.”
203
The study flagged up other concerns, including a dominance of examinations in the UK as opposed
to more appropriate / innovative and ‘constructively aligned’ assessment practices, and concerns
over who is actually doing the assessing and are they fully equipped to do so. The study concludes
that those who advocate strategies such as peer assessment and engagement of assessors beyond
the academic should be encouraged to continue their efforts so as to better match assessment
strategies to the entrepreneurial context.
There are a number of reasons for this situation. Academic planning managers argue that they are
constrained by rigid timetables, modular frameworks and external pressures (e.g. Professional
bodies), which in turn do little to encourage innovation in the curricula. Assessment practices remain
constrained by a largely unreflective traditionalism; and, as Race (2001
204
) argued, truly innovative
assessment is still very much a minority practice. Textbooks perpetuate the myth that Business
graduates will find employment in Blue chip companies and that Management is a rational process.
Neither is this a British issue: Page West, an American Professor of Entrepreneurship wrote in
2009
205
“it is hard enough to build a strong entrepreneurship program within a school of business”.
For a quarter of a century, those who pursued such programs have faced questions about legitimacy,
which may explain the rarity of university?based entrepreneurship education programs where
students get to start real?life ventures as formal part of their education
206
.
202http://www.associationofbusinesssch...?challenging?times?abs?learning?and?teaching?
conference?association?higher?education
203 Pittaway, L. and C. Edwards (2013). "Assessment: Examining Practice in Entrepreneurship Education." Education +
Training 54(8): 793?794.
204 Race, P. (2001). Assessment: A Guide for Students. Assessment Series, LTSN Generic Centre.
205 West et al (2009). "Legitimacy across the university: yet another entrepreneurial challenge."
206http://vcplist.com
73
Sir Tim Wilson in his Review of University Business Collaboration (2012) suggested that universities
are becoming out of touch with what industry needs in terms of flexible and adaptable learners who
can innovate and bring new value; he states that:
“Assessment approaches in universities focus upon known schedules and requirements,
published in a student handbook. That is an underpinning foundation of our quality system.
Yet in an enterprise skills context, this is not a realistic environment…
…Enterprise skills require responsiveness to unexpected pressures and tasks; they require
reaction to changing circumstances and disruptive interventions. These attributes are contrary
to the established framework of assessment processes.”
207
Wilson went on to support the embedded nature of enterprise and entrepreneurship education:
“Although this issue could be addressed by the addition of an “Enterprise module” to an
established curriculum with the associated planned learning and assessment tasks, such a
model defeats the very principles of enterprise and entrepreneurial education.”
Thus whilst an individual new module on its own appears sub?optimal, is does offer opportunities to
trigger other related work in the curriculum. It could be a seed that leads to new, relevant and
exciting ways to learn for the flexible and adaptable new world that our learners will face. We must
also consider the fact that if a module or similar, more easily measured target is not evaluated and
overtly linked to other areas of learning, how can we determine if progress is being made?
Wherever enterprise and entrepreneurship education sits it must embrace new ways of delivering
learning opportunities.
Entrepreneurship cannot be a field that succumbs to stagnation. It must recognise and apply
technologies in the educational setting (Kuratko, 2005, p. 588
208
).
The quote above specifically relates to the use of technology but could equally refer to other forms
of innovative delivery such as live community?suggested projects; question and answer sessions with
entrepreneurs and alumni; and use of online business?simulations where entrepreneurship skills in
particular can be practiced in a safe environment.
Collaboration with Business
The sections above explore the role of FE and HE in providing enterprise and entrepreneurship
education and business start?up support for students and recent graduates. This section will focus on
FE and HE support for entrepreneurs looking to grow and innovate.
207 Wilson, T. (2012). A Review of Business–University Collaboration. London. Op.cit.
208 Kuratko, D. F. (2005). "The emergence of entrepreneurship education: development, trends, and challenges."
Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice 29(5): 577?597.
74
Wilson (2012) argued that it was only with the creation of a Department for Innovation, Universities
and Skills in 2007, (now the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills) that universities were
finally encouraged to participate in economic development activities through direct engagement
with the enterprise community. Prior to then, policy was split between the education and trade
ministries, creating two parallel strands of activity focusing on innovation and skills respectively.
Policy now comes from a single Government department, supported by a single funding stream
known as the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF). Within this framework, universities have
been allowed to define priorities according to their own missions and localities, and this has been
the catalyst for recent innovations in areas such as the contribution of science and technology to
business competitiveness, improving graduate enterprise and employability, and addressing specific
business skills requirements (Culkin, 2011)
209
.
The business support environment has changed considerably since the most recent change of
Government. This can particularly be seen in the abolition of Business Link as a ‘one stop shop’ for
start?up and growth advice, the abolition of Regional Development Agencies, and the creation of
Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) in 2010 as a voluntary strategic partnership between businesses
and civic leaders to drive local economic growth.
We should be left in no doubt that universities, and more recently, FE colleges, are expected to
engage in and encourage entrepreneurship in its educational provision, innovation capacity, small
firm support and through its impact on local and national economies.
In 2011, the Government gave the FE and skills sector greater freedoms to ensure their provision is
aligned to the business and community priorities identified in their local areas
210
. An OFSTED survey
of colleges published in 2013
211
found that most of the colleges sampled in the survey had made at
least some progress in linking with external businesses and community partners to plan their
provision, however, progress was slower that hoped for. The survey raised concerns that few LEPs
had begun to have a demonstrable impact on local planning and provision. It was also felt that FE
was under?represented at the highest strategic level on LEP boards, which meant that LEPs were not
always sufficiently well informed about the extent and range of college provision in their areas. The
quality and availability of local labour market information was often patchy, which did not allow
colleges and providers to plan effectively and collaboratively to reduce long?term unemployment in
their locality.
In contrast perhaps, HEIs are increasingly recognised as both regional anchor institutions supporting
the enterprise community (Wilson, 2012
212
; Witty, 2013
213
) and as a source of ‘slack within a regional
innovation system that can add to the long term adaptability of the economy’ (Goddard, 2013
214
).
One only has to look at the Times Higher Education Entrepreneurial University of the Year Awards,
209 Culkin, N. (2011). "Producing Work Ready Graduates: The role of the Entrepreneurial University." International Journal
of Market Research 53(3): 425?440.
210 BIS (2011). Further Education and Skills System Reform Plan: Building a World Class Skills System.
211 OFSTED (2013). Local accountability and autonomy in colleges.
212 Wilson, T. (2012). A Review of Business–University Collaboration. London.
213 Witty, A. (2013). Encouraging a British Invention Revolution: Sir Andrew Witty’s Review of Universities and Growth.
London.
214Goddard, J. and P. Vallance (2013). The University and the City, Routledge.
75
which commenced in 2008, to see the many ways in which HEI’s have respond to the opportunities
created. Examples include engagement with publicly funded initiatives targeted on processes of the
commercialisation of HE institutional intellectual property
215
(for example through the Intellectual
Property Office), Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
216
, past engagement with regional development
agencies, and current engagement with LEPs and the business community.
Witty (2013) recommend in his report to BIS on the role of HE in supporting economic growth that:
‘Universities should assume an explicit responsibility for facilitating economic growth, and all
universities should have stronger incentives to embrace this “enhanced Third Mission” – from
working together to develop and commercialise technologies which can win in international markets
to partnering with innovative local Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). An annual report should
set out universities’ Third Mission work, together with actions the Government should take to better
facilitate it.’ (p6)
A good example of a university working to support the business community is provided in the case
study on Manchester Metropolitan University on page 106.
The Future
As this report is being written, details of several new initiatives relevant to tertiary enterprise and
entrepreneurship education and business development are due to be announced. These include the
Small Business Charter
217
based on the recommendation of Lord Young’s second report entitled
Growing Your Business
218
that HE Business Schools become anchor institutions for business support
and growth. Interestingly, and consistent with his first report
200
, Lord Young does not suggest that
Business Schools become the location for student and graduate entrepreneurship although they
might benefit from the support provided.
A second initiative, of particular interest to business support activity, is the provision of Growth
Vouchers
219
. The scheme is to be launched at the end of January 2014 as a randomised control trial
pilot in a limited number of locations. It will initially be delivered through private sector advice
agencies, however if successful, Growth Vouchers will be offered through HE Business Schools with
Small Business Charter marks.
Further detail is also expected on University Enterprise Zones
220
announced at the end of 2013. 4?5
zones will be funded to build business spaces that can host a range of new high?tech companies in
the early stages of their development. Although their impact will be limited to a small number of
HEIs, they are also intended to ‘unlock the potential of so many students who will be able to move
into affordable business space and start to build their own business straight after their degree’ as
stated by the PM David Cameron.
215http://www.ipo.gov.uk/fastforward.htm
216http://www.ktponline.org.uk/
217http://www.associationofbusinesssch...s?lord?youngs?report?growing?micro?businesses
218 Lord Young (2012). Make Business Your Business: Supporting the Start?Up and Development of Small Business.
219http://www.growthvouchers.co.uk
220https://www.gov.uk/Government/news/15?million?boost?for?local?business?growth?at?universities
76
As reported above, support for student and graduate entrepreneurship activity is often funding by
EU and Government funds. This is particularly the case in HE but also for FE (e.g. Net315 as described
above), and even for schools (see Case Study 10: Kirklees Creative Media Studio School, p65). The
current EU structural fund phase covers the period from 2007 to 2013. The prospectus for 2014
onwards has yet to be published which is problematic for planning and applying for future funds,
particularly as the application process for such funding can often take more than a year. Funding for
several of the ERDF programmes reported above has either ceased or will be stopping soon. ERDF
funding was often problematic for HE, FE, and schools – not only because of the sometimes
overwhelming audit and administrative requirements and delays of paying claims of up to six
months – but also because ERDF is primarily designed for growth support rather than the pre?start
activity that educational establishments wish to provide for their students. ESF might provide a
source of funds better matched to skills development and pre?start support, but this remains an
unknown until the next phase prospectus is published.
HEIF continues to be used to fund student and graduate enterprise and entrepreneurship education
initiatives in many HEIs, however, the current phase – HEIF 5 – is due to end next year in 2015. The
transition of HEIF 4 to HEIF 5 brought a reduction in the amount of funds that were available to
universities and many smaller universities had their HEIF funds reduced to zero. HEIF funds are
allocated based on a formula that takes data from the Higher Education ? Business and Community
Interaction (HEBCI) survey, which includes information on graduate business spin?outs as described
above. Although this data is collected, it is not included in the HEIF funding formula. With reduced
funding in HEIF 5 and no direct financial benefit from supporting student and graduate
entrepreneurship, several universities made the difficult decision to prioritise other knowledge
transfer activity. Some universities reduced the size of or closed dedicated student business?start?up
units, moved specialist entrepreneurship support under general employability activity, and/or made
talented enterprise educators redundant. It is hoped that HEIF will be continued into a 6
th
phase in
2015, but this is not yet confirmed. Its removal or continued reduction will put university support in
this area further at risk.
Summary
This chapter has sought to highlight the importance of HE and FE to the future prosperity of the UK.
We have provided examples of enterprise and entrepreneurship education provision beyond the
Business School and discussed how it is no longer rooted solely in the idea of the business start?up
although this remains an important aspect. We have also discussed HE and FE support for business
growth and innovation.
We conclude that until enterprise and entrepreneurship education moves from the sidelines to the
mainstream the opportunities will remain unmet, and end with a quote from the evaluation of the
Enterprise in Higher Education initiative
221
:
“The lasting lesson of EHE is that challenging objectives can be set, and that ambitious
initiatives can produce significant change. EHE facilitated a widespread adaptation of the
221 York Consulting Ltd (1999). Enterprise in Higher Education – Changing the Mindset
77
internal structures and capacities of universities, to meet new challenges. New policy
developments need to support HEIs in completing this task, and in establishing closer, more
systematic, and more productive relationships with employers.” (p 4)
Key Findings
• Large scale funding initiatives have the potential to change culture and make systemic
changes.
• Longer?term funding needs to be put in place to prevent roll back and loss of knowledge.
• Pockets of excellent practice exist but need to be disseminated and expanded so there is
breath in provision in addition to depth.
• Enterprise and entrepreneurship education needs to be embedded in all subject areas if it is
to make an wider impact.
• This will require training of educators to 1) understand what is meant by enterprise and
entrepreneurship education in their subject?specific context, 2) aid the development of
embedded and inspiring learning activities.
• Funding of longitudinal or retrospective research to look at long?term impact is required.
78
Case Study 12 - Gower College, Swansea; Sue Poole
Sue Poole’s full time role is to act as a champion for enterprise at Gower College – to act as a driver,
to take a lead and pull a range of ideas and opportunities together. One of Sue’s aims has been to
link her FE College with business and her local schools in enterprising ways. Sue won the National
Enterprise Educator’s Award in 2012, which give further impetus to her ambitions:
“Following on from receiving the award in 2012 I designed and set up the Entrepreneurship
Academy Wales an innovative and ground breaking Academy with a pilot group of handpicked
students to follow a 1 year fast?track course into business. This award together with other
sponsorship from local businesses across Wales will be used to help these students set up their own
business and trade.
I have also been working with a large number of local primary and secondary schools to develop
student’s entrepreneurial capabilities from a young age. Along with colleagues and students from
Gower College Swansea we have worked with a number of these schools over a 10 week period
delivering a range of entrepreneurial projects to help the school embed enterprise within their
curriculum. Over the past year I have also sourced external funding to employ 2 full time members
of staff to work entirely with students in primary and secondary together with Further and Higher
Education to develop their entrepreneurial skills and support staff in helping them embed enterprise
within the curriculum from 7 years plus.”
Julie Bowen, one Sue’s team, picks up the story about one of the initiatives that she has taken a lead
on, ‘The Young Dragons’:
“The (first) competition was an outstanding success with 13 schools across Swansea participating
and 29 schools all together across Swansea, NPT, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire. In Swansea
approximately 1000 Yr 9 students took part and had the opportunity to develop their business skills
and gain a greater insight into the world of enterprise and the skills needed to be successful in the
workplace whether they choose to set up their own business or work for someone else.
The feedback from the staff in schools was been very positive and they felt the students benefited
from the experience. I encouraged the staff to continue to develop the student’s ideas and took the
opportunity to explain how my role could support them in doing this.
Subsequently, approximately 4000 students took part in the second Young Dragons Competition
across the Swansea Bay area, with similar feedback.”
Julie continues to seek out enterprising partnerships; for example, she has helped to up?skill 42
educators delivering the enterprise element of the Welsh Baccalaureate, is supporting 6 primary
schools in their efforts to win the ‘Young Troopers’ competition, and is actively developing new
materials for further enterprise educator training.
79
Case Study 13 - National Enterprise Educator 2013; Neil Coles
“The UK’s top Enterprise Educators were announced at Sheffield’s Cutlers’ Hall during the
International Enterprise Educators Conference recently… and somehow I ended up walking away
with the National Enterprise Educator of the Year Award!
I’ve been involved with Enterprise Education for over 10 years, but it’s only since the formation of
Enterprise Educators UK that I have genuinely felt there is a national network interested to both
share and build on our collective experiences, so I am thankful to them – the National Centre for
Entrepreneurship Education and the Higher Education Academy – who all had an arm in offering me
this Award. I’d also like to highlight the support the Welsh Government have offered both HE and FE
over the years, and believe they were instrumental in pushing Welsh institutions to pick up the
baton.”
“Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Education is on the rise here at Cardiff University, with a
comprehensive programme of activities directed at the new… and not so new… student, but the
work Stuart Abbott and I are doing to advance the ability of academic staff to contextualise
enterprise, entrepreneurship, innovation, and quality improvement is at the forefront of thinking
within the sector. From an essence of taking an idea and making it happen, we have found and
supported many examples of where contextualised enterprise goes on to aid subject learning and a
student’s ability to make a difference. Over the last year we have hosted two academic sharing
forums, and discussed the application of enterprise with colleagues from architecture, bioscience,
business, chemistry, law, computer science, English, engineering, geography, healthcare, journalism,
mathematics, medicine, nursing, optometry, pharmacy, physics, psychology, religion, social science
and Welsh.
I’m over the moon and totally humbled to have been crowned National Enterprise Educator 2013,
but for me this is just acknowledgement that the work we are doing here at Cardiff University is
being recognised by institutions across the UK, so the question I ask is how can we build on our
success?
80
A question like that gets my mind buzzing with ideas and approaches to create a university that is
receptive to the community in which it serves, and supports the development of an innovation
culture through staff, students and outreach activities. Focusing in on the graduate ? the economy
needs people who are both academically capable and can relate and react to new industry needs.
Enterprise Education is not about telling, but showing and allowing for experiences that stick with
individual, so that they don’t repeat the book, but become part of it.”
Case Study 14 - Manchester Met University
MMU – Centre for Enterprise (CfE)
"Putting knowledge to work to help people and communities perform"
“The Centre for Enterprise is an established and professorially led team of enterprising academics,
practitioners and researchers at Manchester Metropolitan University. We use our four core
knowledge areas ? business growth, entrepreneurial leadership, enterprise and sustainability ? to
impact upon North West regional economic growth, UK and European policy development and
international academic advancement of knowledge. We are well known for making research useful
in practice for start?ups and small firms, focusing on owner?manager leadership and company
growth and very experienced in effective knowledge exchange to support entrepreneurial behaviour
across different types and sizes of organisations.
Currently a team of 38, we are self?financing through private sector sponsorship, commercial
programme fees, research council funds and secured competitive public funding. With a strong steer
from our Advisory Board, (leading business figures in professional disciplines, who each bring
specialist knowledge and a shared passion for enabling university knowledge to benefit business
communities). This includes a range of online videos and podcasts plus a quarterly Impact magazine
which goes out to over 6000 business and social enterprise owners and all local policy stakeholders
which takes a key theme such as ‘growth’ to try to help them make sense of our core research –
putting knowledge to work in their organisation. We also invite the five LEPs that we work with to
comment on the information about companies and trends in their areas.”
“CfE has successfully delivered research and development projects in small business and related
areas, via ESRC, EPSRC, Leverhulme, public and private sector funding, with widespread impacts to
our research informing policy and practice in entrepreneurship. For example, since 2009 we have
secured 11 successful research council bids; since its launch in March 2001, over £15m revenue has
been attracted to support practical and research activities to develop entrepreneurs and their
businesses. This has included contracts to encourage growth and leadership in over 1,000 SMEs and
social enterprises. We now work across the university to support start up activities,
commercialisation of intellectual property and the development of new work?based learning
initiatives such as Higher Level apprenticeships.”
81
7. Role of the Business Community in Enterprise Education
“Young people need to have their eyes opened to entrepreneurship as a viable career option. This
will only happen by giving learners in schools and colleges active opportunities to experience the
creation and running of a business.”
Fintan Donohue, Gazelle Colleges Group
Introduction
Simply put, entrepreneurship is a process of fundamental transformation: from innovative idea to
enterprise and from enterprise to value
222
? it therefore requires experience to transfer the
knowledge of how to be a ‘good’ entrepreneur. As far back as 2002 the Davies report
223
recommended:
“Wherever possible, enterprise activities should be developed in partnership between
business, schools and Government. In order to support our proposed level of provision of
enterprise activity, we recommend that the business sector should commit £30m in time and
resources annually by 2005?06. Their contribution will be largely in the form of staff time in
schools and supporting enterprise activities built around work experience programmes” .
224
This was a clear statement of need that business needs to be involved in enterprise education.
Subsequently, a special report by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor in 2008 concluded that it is
clear that in most countries, entrepreneurship experts regard the provision of entrepreneurship
education and training as inadequate
225
. However, entrepreneurship education is not just the pure
domain of educators, and businesses have a part to play in the success of future entrepreneurs. The
established business community therefore has a huge part to play in the development of an
entrepreneurial Britain, and businesses of all sizes can help and inspire future entrepreneurs and
business owners to start and then grow their businesses. It must be noted that there are programs
which span education, business and experienced entrepreneurs. Doug Richard runs the successful
School for Start Ups
226
, which amongst many innovative courses, runs a series of education days at
universities around the UK. The mix of the experienced businessperson and entrepreneur delivering
in an educational context provides a high impact learning environment to would?be entrepreneurs.
Equally, the ‘Entrepreneurs and Education Programme’
227
run by School for Start?ups looks to further
the experience beyond students to educators as well. Start?up Loans
228
focuses on financing new
ventures, but the organisations that deliver the initiative around the country look for experienced
business mentors for their clients taking out loans to help them succeed. Trying to link experience
222 Kauffman Foundation (2006). Entrepreneurship in American Higher Education. Kauffman the Foundation of
Entrepreneurship.
223 Davies, H. (2002). A Review of Enterprise and the Economy in Education. London.
224 Ibid.
225 Martinez, A., J. Levie, D. Kelley, R. Samundsson and T. Scott (2010). A Global Perspective on Entrepreneurship
Education and Training, GEM.
226 www.schoolforstartups.co.uk
227 www.schoolforstartups.co.uk/eep/
228 www.startuploans.co.uk
82
with new ventures is considered a key element of survival, and established businesses and business
people play a vital part in the start up story.
There is no doubt also that for many, experiencing life in a business (particularly in the case of this
report? a micro firm) at an early age can have a very beneficial outcome. A recommendation made in
the Wilson Review of 2012
229
that:
“Ideally, every full?time undergraduate student should have the opportunity to experience a
structured, university?approved undergraduate internship during their period of study. Where
such internships are paid, Government should examine the feasibility of supporting companies
that host students through a tax credit or grant mechanism. Where internships are unpaid,
universities should use their ‘OFFA funds’ to support eligible students rather than condone a
policy that could inhibit social mobility.”
230
Internships within businesses are one way that potential entrepreneurs can experience first?hand
the thrill of business however; the support can be wide ranging and take many forms, and it is a vital
link in the chain of getting more people to be entrepreneurial and potentially start businesses in the
UK. Further to this, McLarty (2006) in a review of Enterprise Education in the UK recommends (1)
Employer Engagement, and (2) Partnership and Networking with other education providers,
businesses and the community
231
. These are both vital components of beginning a journey in
business.
This chapter does not cover the aspects of trading with newly started small firms to help them grow
as it is out of the scope of the report, but it will focus on what business can do in an educational
capacity to help people become more entrepreneurial. Whilst this report is focused mainly on the
micro side of businesses in the UK, it is important to look at how large businesses in the UK are
helping educate future entrepreneurs through formal and informal means. This is not an exhaustive
list of how businesses can help, but it provides a number of examples of ways businesses are
supporting the UK’s entrepreneurs start up.
It is fully accepted that inspiring people to become entrepreneurs is not an easy path. It is also
recognised that Europe has a limited number of known entrepreneurial success stories, a fact that
they attribute to a view that entrepreneurship has not been celebrated as a preferred career path
232
.
In the UK, entrepreneurship has gained more acceptance in recent years, however, it is rare in
Europe to find 'entrepreneur' ranked highly among desirable occupations. Despite the fact that
entrepreneurs create jobs and power the economy their successes are not presented as role models
in the media. For young people, this makes an entrepreneurial career rank rather low in the list of
attractive professions and it is a deterrent to those who might want to become entrepreneurs
233
.
229 Wilson, T. (2012). A Review of Business–University Collaboration. London.
230 Ibid.
231 McLarty, L., H. Highley and S. Alderson (2006). Evaluation of Enterprise Education in England.
232 European Commission (2012). ENTREPRENEURSHIP 2020 ACTION PLAN? Reigniting the entrepreneurial spirit in Europe,
European Commission.
233 Ibid.
83
There is a regular call for schools (and indeed many educational establishments) to engage further
with business for example the Enterprise Education Trust call for “three simple things”
234
:
• For Government to say clearly and simply that enterprise education is important,
• For schools to engage more readily with business,
• For employers to engage in work?related learning and enterprise education,
• Indeed, to many, the best place to start introducing people to business and enterprising
activity face to face is at schools, where these can be developed. This however can be
problematic.
OFSTED state:
“Links with businesses and employers to enhance the curriculum were variable and a relative
weakness in provision. Over a third of schools visited failed to provide sufficient opportunities
for students to engage directly with local businesses or employers. This was the case even on
vocational courses, particularly at Key Stage 4, where students spent too much time just
downloading information from company websites, which reduced their opportunities to probe
and investigate real issues.
Visits to businesses were often difficult to organise for logistical reasons. However, in the best
schools, restrictions on the opportunities to take students out to visit businesses were
overcome by bringing the local business community into the classroom to enhance teaching
and learning.”
235
The need for businesses to engage in behaviour to enhance entrepreneurship is called for at the
highest level. The World Economic Forum (WEF) state; “Companies, and especially entrepreneurs,
have an important role to play in developing entrepreneurship education.”
236
They see the
importance of business to both transform the education system and build an entrepreneurial
ecosystem as follows;
• Transform the Educational System;
o Encourage Governments and academia to make entrepreneurship education a key
priority for the education agenda in both formal and informal education and all age
levels.
o Encourage mutually?beneficial business?university collaborations.
• Build the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem;
o Support the development of entrepreneurship within schools and universities by
providing resources for professorships/chairs, educators, institutes and
entrepreneurship centres.
o Engage with academic institutions as well as other organizations providing
entrepreneurship training by providing expertise, teaching and mentoring.
234 Dellot, B. and G. Darby (2013). The Enterprise Generation. London, Enterprise Education Trust.
235 OFSTED (2011). Economics, business and enterprise education. London.
236 World Economic Forum (2009). Educating the next wave of entrepreneurs. Geneva.
84
o Encourage the involvement of employees (as speakers, mentors, role models).
o Exchanges of academic and company staff.
• Participate actively in the ecosystem, providing and sharing social capital.
• Partner with other stakeholders in the ecosystem to launch specific initiatives to develop
effective programmes and processes for entrepreneurship education:
o Forums and events,
o Training and/or mentoring entrepreneurs and students,
o Training faculty,
o Competitions and awards,
o Accelerators, incubators, labs,
o Entrepreneurship centres/institutes,
o Curriculum development,
o Online educational and training tools,
o Global exchange networks,
o Encourage programmes that target underdeveloped or underserved groups such as
women, minorities, disadvantaged or disabled people.
o Share tacit knowledge/capabilities with NGOs and other organizations that support
entrepreneurs. This indirectly promotes entrepreneurship education by supporting
the capacity of organizations that develop entrepreneurs. In so doing, it enables
such organizations to operate more effectively, thereby increasing their impact on
the entrepreneurial educational process.
The need is well recognised across the spectrum; The Witty Review in 2013 has shown:
“That the importance of engaging effectively with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and
the challenges of doing so, are widely understood… The future growth of the UK economy will
in large part come from fast growing SMEs. The fastest growing SMEs, generating half of all
new jobs, are those that are driven by innovation. In fact our national innovation performance
depends in part on SMEs.”
237
Large Businesses
There are many examples of large businesses helping the start up community through a variety of
means of support. This varies but can be roughly split into direct support and indirect support.Direct
support? Large businesses provide a direct service helping young entrepreneurs usually as part of a
Social Investment program. Examples of this type of support would typically be programs like Virgin
237Witty, A. (2013). Encouraging a British Invention Revolution: Sir Andrew Witty’s Review of Universities and Growth.
London.
85
Media Pioneers
238
(Virgin), RBS Inspiring Enterprise
239
(RBS Group), Wayra
240
(Telephonica) and
Goldman Sachs 10000 Small Businesses
241
.
Indirect Support? Categorised as a business supporting an already established program in its own
right, and in many cases as part of a variety of funders and supporters for example, Princes Trust
(RBS, Bloomberg etc
242
).
Large businesses have an important role to play in supporting entrepreneurs as they can bring angles
of support that start up businesses often find very hard to establish themselves.
Some key work was commissioned by Young Enterprise
243
in 2011 to look at the role of business in
society and the impact of volunteering and corporate citizenship on developing skills in young
people. They surveyed 24 of their main corporate sponsors, representing a significant part of the
UKs corporate employers, to give a picture, of how the education system prepares young people for
the world of business amongst other things. The results give a fascinating view on what large
businesses see as vital for the way forward in the UK. The results were as follows:
• 75% of the businesses felt that the British education system is not equipping young people
with the right skills for them to enter the workforce.
• 59% felt that the education system was poor at developing young people’s entrepreneurial
skills.
• 64% thought that the education system was poor at developing financial skills among young
people.
• 61% said they felt Young Enterprise’s activities made a significant difference in filling these
gaps and preparing young people for the future.
• 89% said they thought it was ‘very important’ for business to be involved in young people’s
education.
Young Enterprise found the survey showed that businesses feel the education system is not
preparing young people properly for the world of work. Recruits need to have a range of
‘employability’ skills such as teamwork, punctuality, the ability to apply abstract knowledge and
think for themselves to succeed in the workplace.
Young Enterprise were concerned that the Department of Education was adopting a narrow focus on
academic skills and exams which will make it less likely that students emerge from education with
these aptitudes. They believe the Government needs to change course and actively encourage
partnerships between schools and business, putting enterprise education on the formal National
Curriculum. In their view Ministers should also work harder to change the attitudes of business
towards education. Too many senior managers in business are tending to blame the attitude of
British workers, particularly young recruits, for their own failures while failing to do anything about
238 www.virginmediapioneers.com
239 www.inspiringenterprise.rbs.com
240http://wayra.org/en
241http://www.goldmansachs.com/citizen...ses/UK/index.html?cid=PS_01_07_06_99_00_01_02
242http://www.princes?trust.org.uk/support_us/corporate_supporters/our_partners.aspx
243 Freshminds (2011). Business education survey 2011. London, Young Enterprise.
86
it. They and their staff should get out into the community and volunteer to act as business advisers
helping young people learn about the world of work before they leave education
244
.
Some large business get directly involved in supporting businesses start, develop and grow and
develop their own niche areas of useful support; Lloyds Bank have been actively involved in a large
scale mentor project detailed in the following case study:
Case Study 15 - Lloyds Bank Enterprise Mentoring: The Road to
Economic Recovery
“The mentoring scheme was set up in conjunction with the Business Finance Taskforce and the
British Bankers’ Association, with the overall aim of helping the economy return to sustainable
growth by training industry professionals to share their own skills and experience with
entrepreneurs. As part of this, Lloyds Bank work with a number of mentoring organisations including
Business Innovation and Skills and the Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative (SFEDI)
amongst others, through which our trained mentors are partnered with enterprises seeking
support.”
Mentoring in Practice
“The mentoring process is really simple. Volunteers from across the bank sign up to become an
enterprise mentor and receive training which allows them to gain the relevant skills and experience
needed to effectively support a business.”
“They are then paired with a business in their area and organise regular meetings and discussions
with the business leader where they can review any issues the business is faced with, aim to answer
any questions the mentee has, and use their own skills and experience to provide guidance and
support which will ultimately aid the business’s development and growth.”
“The volunteers have also run activities in universities and schools as well as actively meeting
current business leaders at industry events to discuss the benefits of mentoring with them directly.”
External Benefits
“One example of a business that has benefitted from mentoring support is a fast growing digital
design company led by a group of Plymouth University graduates. Their mentor Duncan Webster is
an IT Manager in Lloyds who has gained an additional qualification as a champion mentor which
allows him to offer higher quality support to an SME. Mutant Labs develop mobile apps for Android
and iOS, Flash apps and build websites.”
Alex Ryley, co?founder of Mutant Labs, said: “Since we launched, Mutant Labs has continuously
moved from strength to strength and we can’t believe how quickly our reputation has grown, not
244 Ibid.
87
just in the South West but across the whole country. As a digital design company, it is crucial we
remain at the forefront of innovation and continually develop our products to ensure we are one
step ahead of our competitors.”
“We decided that an enterprise mentor would be able to help us with that as they can look at our
business objectively as well as pass on their own skills and expertise. Duncan has exceeded all of our
expectations and has supported us in ways we never anticipated. The most valuable aspect he has
helped us with is developing a long?term strategy for growth as we now have a clear idea of where
we want to take our business and some of the steps we can take to ensure we reach our goals.”
Duncan Webster said: “The Mutant Labs team is a brilliant group of ambitious graduates who have a
great balance of creativity and real business acumen. It is a pleasure to work with them and offer my
support wherever I can. Mentoring is becoming a widely recognised way of helping support UK
businesses and the impact it can have on helping business leaders develop is really significant so I
was keen to get involved.”
Case Study 16 - Business in the Community (BITC) Case Study
It is clear that mentoring is an effective way to help support SMEs at all life cycle stages from start?
ups and businesses looking to grow through to established companies, and there are many tangible
benefits for business leaders and mentors alike. There are also organisations that carry out work that
engage senior business leaders to help in a variety of initiatives. Business in the Community (BITC) is
just one of those organisations. BITC are a unique business movement being the largest business?led
charity of its kind, committed to building resilient communities, diverse workplaces and a more
sustainable future.
245
This case study highlights one of the programmes they run to partner business
with schools:
“BITC run a programme (Business Class
246
) that partners businesses with schools in long?term 3 year
partnerships. Nearly 200 mainly large companies have partnered with over 300 schools across the
UK since the scheme began. It is mainly large businesses, but BITC have just announced a pilot to
bring more SME’s into the scheme working with Goldman Sachs – not to provide entrepreneurial
education in a formal sense, but to just give more young people access to entrepreneurial role
models and, we hope, widen their perspective of what the world of work might look like – self
employment as a career option etc.
In addition, through BITC’s youth mentoring programme (Mosaic) they run a national enterprise
competition for secondary school students designed to develop and encourage their entrepreneurial
skills. Teams of students work with a mentor from the business community to learn about becoming
future business leaders, develop business ideas.”
“There is real untapped potential for SME’s to better impact and influence young people in local
areas, which is why Business in the Community has formed a new partnership with Goldman Sachs
245http://www.bitc.org.uk/about?us/what?we?do
246http://www.bitc.org.uk/programmes/business?class
88
to connect more SMEs with young people in schools across the country. The pilot aims to help many
more young people access entrepreneurial role models within school. Over the coming months, we
will be providing opportunities for smaller companies from Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Small Businesses
program to get involved in schools by joining some of the established business?school partnerships
in 15 key cities across the UK.”
“As well as helping young people with practical support around careers, interview techniques,
employability skills and CV workshops, the participating entrepreneurs will also offer real?
life inspiration to young people about the possibilities of setting up their own business by sharing
their own entrepreneurial backgrounds and stories.”
“Entrepreneurship is a valid and rewarding career choice. It is vital that young people get to hear
from people with the broadest range of backgrounds and experience what the world of work looks
like. We believe that exposing young people to innovative small businesses will give them a more
balanced picture of the local labour market and open their eyes to a broader number of potential
pathways post education which could involve working for a household name, but could also just as
easily see them start up their own venture or work for a start?up organisation.”
“BITC are aiming to create 500 Business Class partnerships by 2015 and we are excited at this new
possibility to inspire many more young people about entrepreneurship. By working in collaboration,
business of all sizes, together with schools can offer a much richer range of support for young people
than if we all worked individually. BICT urge business of all sizes to consider their role and how they
can each play their part to shape a motivated, generation of young people better equipped to
achieve their goals, and to contribute to a more competitive and productive UK plc.”
“Whilst many welcome the help large businesses bring to helping entrepreneurs start and develop
their businesses, the key to entrepreneur education is seen by many support programs as something
that lies with the small business. Clearly, this can be formal links in the education sector, or informal
within entrepreneur support programs, but linking established small businesses with more in
experienced start ups to share their experiences is vital. Key organisations have contributed to this
report to provide their views which are distilled here
247
. For example, the Federation of Small
Business
248
believes that enterprise education not only helps teach young people about business and
how to create one, but will also help them to develop employability skills such as effective
communication, self?management, team working and problem solving. In a recent survey of
members
249
, 46% of members do not believe that local schools and colleges prepare young people to
a sufficient standard for businesses and employers and when recruiting young people
250
. Equally, the
Forum of Private Business report
251
that one of the key links between education and employment
was severed in 2012 when the duty on schools to provide work related learning was abolished. The
duty, whilst far from perfect, provided a welcome opportunity for micro employers to support their
local community. In 2012 40% of Forum members were providing work experience for students from
247 Also see Appendix
248 See full FSB submission in Appendix
249 Federation of Small Businesses (2013). Voice of Small Business Q2 2013, Federation of Small Businesses.
250 Aged 24 and under
251 See full FPB submission in Appendix
89
local schools and colleges and 5% reported they would like to offer the experience
252
. The Forum
would like to see the duty reintroduced with a focus on schools working in partnership with
employers to provide young people with a broader ‘experience of work’ rather than simply a generic
weeklong placement.”
To further this line of thought, the National Enterprise Network
253
advocate that the more we can
get the business community into schools (from the earliest possible age) the better ? ideally however
that should be the smaller businesses, not just the larger ones. One of their key thoughts is that we
need to get far more professionals who have real experience of running businesses involved in
delivering enterprise education – all too often the business studies teacher is given the job and they
are very often not the best person. But the more we have real people with real experience living and
breathing the teaching of enterprise – the more chance we have of ensuring it is put across as a
positive option – rather than a last resort. The Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative (SFEDI)
report on potential challenges with linking businesses to enterprise education
254
:
“There is a need for the educator to invest time in enhancing understanding of the
entrepreneur and business owner as to teaching and assessment strategies, so experiences
can be used to enhance the learning experience of the learner.”
“There are a number of challenges surrounding how to bridge more traditional notions of
quality assurance in higher education and those promoted by ‘learning by doing’, i.e. in
facilitating a business owner or entrepreneur working with a learner to support their skills
development. For example, diaries may be a useful way of a business and the learner
capturing the key outcomes from the relationship but these tend to be rarely used in
enterprise education, in comparison to exams and assignments.”
“There are a number of challenges in managing the expectations of students around the inputs
of entrepreneurs and business owners as part of the enterprise education. On the one hand,
over?use within a course can lead to students not being able to place experience within theory
and perceiving the education experience as a training intervention. On the other hand, if one
type of entrepreneur is presented to the students on an ongoing basis, it may influence
perceptions as to the type of business activities pursued by them.”
“If entrepreneurs and business owners are used over and above the odd guest?speaker
lecture, there is a need for the educator to invest time in developing and maintaining
relationships so that experiences of the entrepreneur and owner?manager can be embedded
on a more meaningful basis. However, the educator rarely has the opportunity to identify
such commitments within current workload management systems in higher education.”
252 See; FPB, Referendum 200, Business Sustainability (July 2012)
253 See full NEN submission in Appendix
254 See full SFEDI submission in Appendix
90
Case Study 17 - Gazelle Colleges Group
The following case studies provide a flavour of the sorts of activity that are operating in the UK at
the moment:
“The Gazelle Colleges Group is a federation of further education colleges committed to transforming
the life chances and employment opportunities of young people through entrepreneurship.”
“Its 20 colleges are working closely with entrepreneurs and employers at local and national level to
develop the blueprint for entrepreneurial colleges.”
“Through innovative partnerships with employers, and new curriculum models that focus on giving
students commercial experience as they learn, Gazelle Colleges are redefining further education and
its role in preparing the UK’s young people to power the growth of the economy and small
businesses across the country.”
Gazelle Learning Companies
“Gazelle Learning Companies are a curriculum innovation by which colleges enter into joint?ventures
or franchises with new or existing companies, creating college?owned businesses which are staffed
by students. The purpose is to allow learners to experience a real commercial environment, and
work on behalf of clients alongside studying for a Diploma or BTEC qualification.”
“One example is Fit4Less at North Hertfordshire College. This is a franchise of low?cost gym facilities,
owned by the Energie Group. The College opened a franchise to create one of the pioneering Gazelle
Learning Companies, and it is currently staffed by a team of eight students, in roles ranging from
operational management of the gym to customer sales and personal training.”
“The students are working towards BTEC Level 2/3 qualifications in personal training. Within the
Fit4Less Gazelle Learning Company, students do not just get practical experience of being a personal
trainer or fitness instructor, but are given the chance to see how these skills apply within a business
environment, and gain commercial experience and perspective.”
Case Study 18 - Enterprise Rockers
“Enterprise Rockers is a free?to?join, independently owned, UK?based community interest company
working to make life better for micro business owners; those that employ between 0 and 9 members
of staff.”
“Jane Walton, Head Roadie for young people is a social entrepreneur, teacher and mentor working
in Yorkshire. For the past 7 years Jane has been promoting self?employment to young people.
Funded by the Labour Government, then the regional development agency and more recently the
91
Local Enterprise Partnership in North Yorkshire Jane has worked as an associate with YES Youth
Enterprise Services.”
“Since the launch of Enterprise Rockers in 2012 Jane has worked with schools and colleges to raise
the profile of self?employment and micro enterprise. She has presented at careers events, delivered
workshops and provided business mentoring to young people across all vocational areas and from
Year 10 to post?graduate. Jane has developed a model of delivery which addresses both the need to
provide information, advice and guidance to young people and also to support those that are ready
to enter into self?employment.”
“The work has highlighted a range of gaps in both education and business support which undermine
any attempt to engage young people in the idea of self?employment and to turn their ideas into
reality. A key issue is the lack of careers information which covers self?employment and uses local
micro businesses as examples. Jane has worked with colleges to develop this information and to
make links through Enterprise Rockers to local businesses.”
“The next step has been to develop workshops that provide an introduction to self?employment to
students of any discipline. Schools and colleges tend to assume that this will only be of interest to
business studies students. Workshops are interactive and engaging, aiming to identify what students
already know and providing them with insights into self?employment from ideas generation to book
keeping. A key element of this work has been to challenge the stereotype of the entrepreneur which
tends to focus on booted and suited millionaires which can exclude those studying the creative or
more vocational subjects.”
“As a result of the work, over 200 young people have received business mentoring which has been
designed from a young person's perspective and takes account of the current economic context
which may mean that a young person takes part?time work to generate an income whilst registering
as self?employed and continuing with further education and training. The key issues which have
been raised are the inflexibility of education and benefits systems to take account of this, young
people's lack of financial literacy, and the perceptions that exist around the need for lots of
paperwork and managing staff.”
“Enterprise rockers are committed to promoting self?employment to young people and to using
their experience to inform Government about the need for policies and processes that reflect the
reality of self employment and also promote the need for all young people to understand what it
means to be enterprising whether in employment, self?employment or education.”
92
8. Perspectives From Entrepreneurs
“Starting one’s own business is often disregarded as a viable option and the curriculum sadly
reflects this”
Zoe Jackson – Founder, Living the Dream
Introduction
The popular view is that the best time to start a business is in the late teens or early twenties
255
, but
often this is seen as unfounded as increasingly, young people are being saddled with debt from
education. If young people do start a business, in many cases it is likely to be after university or
college. Why is this? Put simply, entrepreneurship can provide career options for young people by
unleashing their economic potential
256
. It offers greater independence, higher income potential and
increased job satisfaction. Entrepreneurship offers the chance for gainful economic activity for
many. However, it must be noted that in general, young people have fewer business skills, less
knowledge and experience, less savings, reduced access to credit, business networks and sources of
information than older individuals. This is something that many schemes seek to address
257
.
Entrepreneurs are some of the best?placed people to provide policy makers with what mattered (or
matters) to them at the point they started their business, but also and arguably more importantly,
what made them want to start. In this chapter we seek data from entrepreneurs themselves, and a
selection of support programmes on what entrepreneurs desire in terms of support. It is vital to
gain the perspectives of the entrepreneurs themselves and ascertain what their experience was of
starting a business and what they see as the vital component to get people interested in starting a
business and a career as a business owner or entrepreneur. To shape this chapter, interviews were
carried out with a variety of entrepreneurs to provide anecdotal evidence to then explore some of
the key themes that came out when talking to entrepreneurs about their experiences and what they
think should be done to support more entrepreneurs. This is then coupled with published research
to develop the themes and provide recommendations of what entrepreneurs want to see developed
in policy to help develop an enhanced start up culture in the UK that supports entrepreneurs
effectively.
This is a synthesis of what selected programmes have found:
Research has been carried out by a number of programmes into what works in terms of supporting
young entrepreneurs, and what young entrepreneurs want. In this chapter, we have picked two
organisations to build a picture of what works for entrepreneurs in the UK to get people starting
business. Typically these organisations provide a means to gain mass opinion from a diverse
membership.
255http://under30ceo.com/why?twenty?somethings?are?best?suited?to?start?a?business/
256 ILO (2013). Global Employment Trends for Youth 2013. Geneva.
257 Ibid.
93
Virgin Media Pioneers
258
(VMP)
In 2011 a two month campaign was launched entitled “Control Shift: The rise of the Young
Entrepreneurs”
259
in which VMP aimed to amplify the voice that was central to economic prospects,
but often not heard – that of the Young Entrepreneur. In the research, VMP talked to hundreds of
young entrepreneurs and organisations involved in supporting them, in an aim to shift the focus
away from the boardroom and Cabinet Table, to gain real insight as to what works. The VMP
proposals were distilled into 5 key themes:
• Starting early – Transforming the way entrepreneurship is taught in school.
o A culture shift in the school system is needed to ensure practical experience for
students and teacher and increased exposure to businesses; mentoring in schools
supported by local business is key, and work with local chambers of commerce and
the FSB to facilitate business advice in the careers system.
• Fostering a culture of collaboration in enterprise support.
o Support programs have a responsibility to think innovatively about the best way to
present information for young entrepreneurs; enterprise support across the public
and private sector needs to work smarter to offer a progressive path for
entrepreneurs.
• Encouraging big business to support Britain’s Start?Ups.
o Encourage big businesses to open unused office space for start ups and supply local
business mentors and introduce more flexibility into the supply chain.
• Recalculating the way society invests in young people.
o Education establishments should consider more options for studying including
looking at accelerated courses that could be completed more efficiently.
• Encouraging young people to do it for themselves.
o Use Digital media to encourage young people to do it for themselves and give access
to contacts and advice.
RBS Inspiring Enterprise
260
In 2013, the RBS Group published a Manifesto for Youth Enterprise
261
in partnership with the RSA
262
,
with a commitment to further support more young people to explore and start businesses. Their
manifesto raises the following eight key areas:
• Set a challenge,
• Re?humanise entrepreneurship,
• Remove the cultural dampeners,
• Shine a light on everyday entrepreneurs,
258 www.virginmediapioneers.com
259 Virgin Media Pioneers (2011). Control Shift? The rise of the young entrepreneurs. London, Virgin Media Pioneers.
260 www.inspiringenterprise.rbs.com
261 RSA (2013). A Manifeso for Youth Enterprise. London, RSA and Royal Bank of Scotland.
262 www.thersa.org
94
• Thread enterprise learning throughout education,
• Get beyond the classroom,
• Foster deeper educational partnerships,
• Make support more hands?on.
Much of the information they gleaned was from running series of workshops and events, talking to
practitioners and entrepreneurs along the way. This enabled them to produce a manifesto based on
direct feedback from stakeholders. This hopefully ensures that what is called for is direct and
relevant. In the manifesto they examine what is holding youth enterprise back, and identify the
landscape of youth enterprise as having three key challenges (taken directly from the manifesto):
The intention deficit – Too few young people have a clear intention to start a business compared to
other developed countries. Only 1 in 10 young people in the UK say they have serious
entrepreneurial intentions.
The ambition gap – Too few young people act on their entrepreneurial ambitions. Of the 10% of
young people who do say they want to start up in business, on average only a third are actually
doing so.
The drop?out rate – Too few young people stay in their business for a significant period of time.
Approximately a third drop out within their first 12 months in business, compared to 1 in 10 people
over the age of 30.
To address this they propose seven key principles:
• Get beyond London and the vogue industries? Support is often perceived as being too
heavily centred on London and the vogue industries such as the creative and technology
sectors. Future efforts could be geared more towards helping young people on the fringes,
such as those living outside the capital and who are starting up in less popular industries of
business.
• Enlist the power of the internet and informal support? Friends, family, co?founders and the
internet are seen as the major ‘hidden presences’ helping young people realise their
entrepreneurial potential. We should aim to recognise the support they provide and tap into
their skills, knowledge and connections.
• Be there for those further downstream? The majority of support for young people appears to
be directed at those who are in their very early stages of starting a venture, rather than
those further downstream. Future support efforts should consider doing more to help those
who have already started a business to sustain, adapt and grow it.
• Stimulate demand not just supply? It is often forgotten that fledgling businesses need
customers if they are to survive and grow. As well as helping young entrepreneurs get their
businesses up and running, we could also play a valuable role in creating demand for their
products and services.
• Value failure and create routes back into business? Dropping in and out of business is part
and parcel of life as an entrepreneur, yet this is often seen as business ‘failure’. Promoting
95
the notion that failure is a necessary building block for skills development and learning
would encourage more young entrepreneurs who drop out of business to start again.
• Join forces and collaborate? The youth enterprise support community offers an abundance
of help to young people starting up in business. But this in itself can present issues, with the
duplication of services and confusion among young people about what is on offer being two
particular challenges. Working closer together would ensure that those in the support
community complement rather than compete with one another’s efforts.
• Know what works and share the learning? Flux is a common feature in the youth enterprise
support ecosystem. Evaluating activities and sharing best practice would help ensure that we
learn from failures and build on successes. The ecosystem of support should be
entrepreneurial itself and be willing to sacrifice the bad for the good.
Community
Everything we do today has to be done with collaboration in mind. From social media, website, e?
commerce, clients, partners and friends of the business need to be integrated into a back?office
solution. This solution needs to be in the cloud, mobile and allow import of big data sets to aid
internal learning and planning. Combine this with BPO techniques and you get a super slim and
super efficient business organisation focused on sales and customers. Again, running a business is
simple if we can focus on our business goals, learn to say NO more and have a clearly defined long
term goal.
Key Themes
Whilst the views of entrepreneur are vitally important in shaping policy for entrepreneur support, it
is important to recognize that people starting a business are not a homogeneous group and needs
vary wildly depending on circumstance. It is however clear that one of the fundamental calls from
both entrepreneurs and practitioners is to establish ‘enterprise’ in education early. This for many is
not necessarily about the process of starting a business, but more to do with the behaviours that
people need in the modern world. For example, in conversations with a number of entrepreneurs,
the process of getting staff was often linked with those very behaviours. Many entrepreneurs
mentioned that they were shocked by the lack of ability of young people applying for jobs they had
to actually be able to sell themselves on a CV, and this was linked to the very ‘entrepreneurial
behaviour’ that they would wish to see develop in people at an early age. It seems that enterprising
behaviour is a desired requirement in every walk of life.
There are a number of absolute key themes that are raised both through the work of support
programmes and through the case?study material. There are highlighted below and form a
fascinating view of what is needed to go forward and further support entrepreneurs in the UK. The
entrepreneurs were asked openly about their experience of ‘enterprise education’ and what they
might do to support entrepreneurs given a blank sheet. The entrepreneurs provided some
interesting topics, which have obvious links to those findings from the programmes. There are some
stark observations, for example:
96
"Our education system is seriously lacking in preparing young people for the option of
enterprise and self?employment when leaving school, despite the fact that unemployment
numbers for young people are high and further education is financially out of reach for
many. Starting one’s own business is often disregarded as a viable option and the curriculum
sadly reflects this.”
Zoe Jackson, Living the Dream
The lack of an entrepreneurial element to education in schools features highly through the rhetoric.
The Key Themes developed through informal interviews and submissions by a variety of
entrepreneurs have been pulled out of the text to provide an indicative list of key findings at the end
of the chapter. Some of these have been discussed many times before, and some have not, but it is
useful to gain a synopsis of the rhetoric of the case?study entrepreneurs.
There are essentially 3 core themes that form a ‘support hierarchy’ of needs for entrepreneurs.
When this rough sketch of ideas is distilled, it creates a pyramid model as follows:
Fig 2? The entrepreneurial society pyramid
Diversity
It is important to recognise that it would appear much of the focus is on young people starting
businesses. However, there are numerous organisations that cover a diverse range of support
programmes to many different communities to address particular needs that those communities
have. Examples are numerous, but include the work of Mumpreneur UK
263
who provide support to
parents wishing to set up a business, Leonard Cheshire Disability
264
who provide support to people
with disabilities to set up in business and Prowess
265
who provide support for women in business.
These organisations provide import support to people with ideas who want to set up on their own.
263http://www.mumpreneuruk.com
264http://www.lcdisability.org/?lid=22221
265http://www.prowess.org.uk
97
An import sector of the start?up community is that of older people, who often have a wealth of
marketable experience.
What entrepreneurs say:
The following section highlights 4 case studies on the experiences entrepreneurs have had starting
up in terms of their education, but also some candid ideas for what they think will work. There are a
further 7 in the appendix, and based upon all of these, conclusions have been drawn. These
entrepreneurs cover a wide spectrum of business and have had different levels of success. This has
immense value, as the experiences of entrepreneurs both collectively and individually can help form
vital ideas for policy considerations. Whilst clearly this report cannot represent the views of every
entrepreneur; what we have attempted to do is to call on the views of ‘grass routes’ entrepreneurs
who have started businesses through a variety of means and have also been involved in helping
others do the same. This hopefully gives an unbiased view of methods that they see will help start
businesses and begin their journey to become entrepreneurs.
Case Study 19 - Opinion- Zoe Jackson, Living the Dream
"Our education system is seriously lacking in preparing young people for the option of enterprise
and self?employment when leaving school, despite the fact that unemployment numbers for young
people are high and further education is financially out of reach for many. Starting one’s own
business is often disregarded as a viable option and the curriculum sadly reflects this.”
“Skills that equip a young person in self?employment or enterprise include business, finance,
marketing, PR, presentation skills and hands?on enterprise experience – such as setting up a venture
at school with the right support – and these should all be embedded into the curriculum from
primary school level.”
“These skills would not only encourage young people to set up a business, even whilst still at school,
as I did at the age of 16, but also help those take the step into work with confidence and an
entrepreneurial outlook, especially as organisations are increasing their value in entrepreneurial
spirit amongst their employees.”
“Whilst the creative and entertainment industries help significantly in fuelling our economy, our
Government is devaluing and dismantling creative subjects such as arts, drama, dance and music at
school.”
“I cannot contemplate a society without young people having open access to creativity within the
education system, irrespective of whether or not it is a career choice. The Arts help students in any
career, giving them skills in problem?solving, critical thinking, communication, innovation, creativity,
confidence and the ability to strive for excellence.”
“At the heart of enterprise is creativity, being able to think innovatively, and without the opportunity
to develop this within the context of the curriculum, there is little hope.”
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“Without a fully?rounded education, both creativity and enterprise will be lost. I ask the
Government to ensure the rightful place of enterprise and creative subjects in the school curriculum,
in order to place our next generation of young people as the future of our enterprise and creative
industries.”
Case Study 20 - Peter Harrington, Simventure
“Ten years before the lead up to starting out myself I had watched my mum launch and grow here
own company in Nottingham. Whilst I can’t remember being inspired by her to become self?
employed, I did witness the transformation of a person who ‘loved what they did’. There must have
been some ‘osmotic transfer’.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed Young Enterprise and was MD of a thriving company. However, I took no
business related courses at school. My degree in Leisure Management (1985?1989) did however put
me into situations where I was dealing with uncertainty, change and lots of people. I found I enjoyed
these challenges and the freedom and challenge of having to solve problems for myself; my tutor at
the time also provided structure to my thinking and heightened my self?belief. He was a strong
influence and encouraged my desire to start in business.”
“The recession of 1989 coincided with my degree qualification and attempts to join the job market.
Uninspired by the prospect of wearing a suit and conforming to the rules set by others and
increasingly interested in the idea of depending on myself I decided to set up a business in York
straight after graduation. This decision was also fuelled by a healthy dose of ignorance
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.”
“Any Government needs to start by asking itself whether it is really serious about improving start?up
and survival rates over the medium to long term. If it is, then it must accept that it has to be
entrepreneurial in its intent and actions.”
“Here are some key recommendations that I would make:
• Use robust research to identify target groups (age, sector, geography, growth mindset) and
the support required.
• Accept that a top?down controlled approach doesn’t work because of costly bureaucracy
and client dependency*.
• Encourage/fund start?up hubs that involve and engage a growing community of
entrepreneurs and let them fly.
• Linked to hubs are practical courses that people can take which may/may not be linked to
wider qualifications.
266 This report is not intended to cover academic considerations on the balance of sharing entrepreneurial knowledge and
experience without stunting curiosity/innovation. For further information see Penaluna, K, Penaluna, A, Matlay, H & Jones,
C. (2013) ‘When did you last predict a good idea? The case of assessing Creativity explored’ Proceedings of the 35th
International Conference of the Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, November: Cardiff.
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• Reward ways of teaching and training that use experiential, hands?on methods and are
clearly innovative and client rather than tutor/process centred. Involve psychological
profiling so people better know themselves.
• Be honest and tell people from the outset that some of the above will fail.”
*One of my major concerns with the Enterprise Agency/Business Link model was the culture of
dependency it created. It became a numbers game for the agencies and over 15 years I don’t think I
really saw any change in the way training was delivered despite the technology transformation in
this period.”
“Part of the problem outlined above was the people in charge of the process. Was there any motive
for them to ever change: Did they have the skills to make improvements in the way they supported
budding entrepreneurs? Too often I found that the people in charge of start?up environments had
the ability to run a bank or a public sector department etc., but rarely the ability to think like and for
the entrepreneur. People starting and running businesses gravitate to people who they trust and
believe in and where/when this is not happening, start?up communities fragment and businesses
die.”
“With the increasing emphasis now on universities and colleges to provide business support I think
there is greater opportunity to create meaningful start?up hubs. However, I am concerned that these
centres will fall under the responsibility of a ‘manager’ who again chases numbers and focuses on
maintaining the status quo rather than being able to innovate and continuously drive matters
forward. Hubs need inspirational, generative leaders with an appropriate small business track record
that people starting in business understand and respect. Hubs that become magnets for people
seeking success and successful people create healthy communities where businesses flourish.”
Case Study 21 - Stephen Topfer, Founder, Winweb
“I was lucky to have gone to a school where they gave lessons in bookkeeping and business planning,
especially cash?flow planning. This has been of great help to me in the last 35 years running my own
businesses. Today this would have to a little broader as the business landscape has changed
considerably. This is reflected in the kind of business workshops we offer for start?ups and existing
businesses.
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”
“Running a business can be very easy and successful when you follow some simple steps. What
needs to happen is that you get rid of distractions (i.e. technical, red?tape, back?office) and allow the
business owner to build a goal?focussed business. It is still shocking to me how many so called
'professionals' try to over?complicate the issues at hand. Keeping it simple is the most important
objective for anyone supporting or educating business owners.”
“Government needs to learn to get out of the way; 50 years of business support and the 5 year
mortality rate has not changed. We (WinWeb) operate already 20% lower among our clients and I'm
267https://www.winweb.com/winweb?hub/learn/
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confident we (WinWeb) can reduce the mortality rate to below 25% in the next 5 years. A good
business owner education should start in school and then extend to universities with easy entry
requirements and practical learning, while transferring basic business knowledge and latest research
at the same time.”
Case Study 22 - PRIME
“Older workers are highly experienced and can make a valuable contribution to the workplace and
the economy. It is, therefore, vital they are given opportunities and incentives to remain in the
workforce, whether as employees, self?employed or setting up their own businesses.”
“Currently nearly 4 million people aged between 50 and 65 are not economically active and more
than 400,000 of those are seeking employment. Once out of work, the over 50s find it
disproportionately difficult to find jobs and are far more likely to be long?term unemployed. This is a
wasted opportunity for many individuals but also for the economy.”
“The Prince’s Initiative for Mature Enterprise (PRIME) is a national charity dedicated to helping the
over 50s, who are out of work, unemployed or facing the prospect of redundancy, to set up their
own businesses. Educating aspiring mature entrepreneurs is at the heart of our work to build?up and
adapt older people’s skills to help them start sustainable new businesses.”
“We passionately believe access to appropriate education is extremely important for older people
who are looking to proactively change careers and those who are starting their own businesses as a
response to the lack of work opportunities. Education helps build?up older people’s skills, bring out
the best of their talents and consequently will help ensure their businesses go on to become
sustainable successes.”
“One route more older people are going down is self?employment, more so than any other age
group. There are 4.2 million people who work for themselves in the UK, 14% of the total workforce,
and older people are making a significant contribution to this number, as there are 1,757 million
over 50s people who are self?employed.”
“We deliver a suite of resources to help educate over 50s about enterprise, including: Workshops to
explain the benefits of starting an enterprise and how to develop a business idea; a business
programme covering the building blocks essential to any enterprise, such as understanding accounts
and preparing business plans; mentoring schemes, matching an experienced professional with an
entrepreneur in the start?up stage to share ideas and learn how best to develop a new enterprise.”
“While we’re making concerted efforts to educate mature entrepreneurs, we would like to see a
higher priority by Government, businesses and wider society to help older people. Searching online
will produce many organisations dedicated to youth enterprise; however there is not the same
amount of support for older people.”
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“We would like to see the Government encourage enterprise across all ages, including access to
funding, advice, mentoring, incentives and support mechanisms. Too many initiatives from
Westminster have a bias towards younger people; older people need support too especially as they
are the ones driving business creation.”
“Businesses also need to provide better education specific to older workers, such as training in
digital services to serve them better in the modern workplace and better prepare them if they were
to venture on their own. Businesses should also be better educated on how to provide advice post?
redundancy, so older people can explore all options.”
“The UK continues to discriminate against the over?50s in the workplace. We’re discarding an
invaluable resource and as the population ages, we’re putting an unfair burden on those aged
between 20 and 50, which is short?sighted given that a large number of older workers want to and
can make a significant contribution to the economy.”
Key Findings
• Entrepreneurship should be embedded in the curriculum at all levels ? but particularly at
secondary school level.
• Create a culture that mimics the experience of being ‘close’ to a micro business or small
firm, so people can understand what it is like to work in or run such a firm. This goes a long
way to ‘Re?humanising’ entrepreneurship.
• Make careers advice dedicate time to exploring the options of running your own business
rather than focusing specifically on ‘employment’.
• Create a culture where it is ‘fine to fail’? and value failure as a positive experience.
• Get better access to Specialist Support (Such as IP) for those who need it.
• Greater collaboration of all resources for young people ? with specific reference to business
start up and entrepreneurship as a career.
• Tell the ‘business’ story – links with education, and local identifiable grassroots businesses.
In addition, shine a light on everyday or grassroots entrepreneurs? these are the local and
identifiable champions of micro business who can and will provide valuable advice, and will
empathise with budding entrepreneurs.
• Embed holistic experiences and culture around enterprise and entrepreneurship in
education and beyond. For example, the more small businesses disappear from the high
streets? the less people will identify with them.
• Encourage big business to support Britain’s Start Ups: Big businesses have a role to play and
need to be in regular contact with local small businesses. For example, large businesses
should have a published quota of small business suppliers, and be fully involved in the
encouragement and support of start?ups with an altruistic attitude. Redundant office space
could be made available and mentors supplied to start ups etc.
• Re?calculate the way society invests in Young People and entrepreneurs in general.
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9. Conclusions and Recommendations
Our research looked at both the cognitive psychology of enterprise and what an enterprising mind is,
and considered practical examples from both the UK and international enterprise and entrepreneur
education interventions. The variety of educational interventions is substantial, but we found little
work pulling these examples together and evaluating them either individually or together and
setting out proposals for change based on best practice. It was also clear that there were a number
of drivers at stake influencing where best practice was to be found and how effective it was. For
example ‘Ready Unlimited’ in Rotherham, a project in the town of Rotherham designed a number of
interventions across both primary and secondary schools to develop an enterprise culture, set of
skills, and new relationship between schools and the business community very successfully, but the
initiative faltered when the “Every Child Matters” programme ended, along with RDA funding and
the place and standing in the curriculum for enterprise education. Practicing what they preach,
“Ready Unlimited” now run as a social enterprise, and engage in broader thinking with the Higher
Education Community.
Likewise, we firmly believe that the policy measures that are needed span a number of Government
departments, and are not just a matter for the Department of Education. We believe these policies
need to drive a culture change not dissimilar to the Government’s policies to change attitudes to
manufacturing and to deliver the STEM skills needed that were lacking. The SME community is little
understood and is less engaged with education that the well?respected household names of the FTSE
companies and large professional service firms. Parents and children alike do not think of a career in
SMEs, yet we know that the likelihood of this happening is far greater than a job in a company with a
household name.
Over the past year of our review we have also spoken to businesses and business groups, including
the CBI, Chamber of Commerce, and the Federation of Small Businesses. We have also taken on
board the views of the new venture capital groups involved in start?ups and university spin?outs.
Initiatives such as Mercier and the new entrepreneur placement schemes like The New
Entrepreneur’s Foundation
268
offer great insights into what might be needed. We listened to those
involved in those looking to come back to the workplace through opportunities such as Prime and
Working Mums. We also took on board the views of Local Enterprise Partnerships
269
. A full list of
contributors is included at the end of this paper, and whilst this is extensive, clear patterns of
thinking have emerged.
There was an overwhelming consensus that enterprise education had been left in the backwater to
the detriment of the SME community – and the growth agenda. It seemed to have been tarred with
the same brush as vocational training within education paths. However, as illustrated by the fact
that more 18 year olds now choose apprenticeships over university, the need for enterprise
education much earlier and in a more holistic sustainable form is needed more than ever. Enterprise
education has sometimes been confused with work readiness. While enterprise education improves
268http://newentrepreneursfoundation.com/
269 Correspondence from David Frost – Chair of the Local Enterprise Partnership network op.cit.
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work readiness it is not the same thing, although there is unquestionably an overlap; an enterprising
individual needs to be an innovative and forward thinking team player that seeks out and seizes
upon opportunity.
Specific Recommendations: An Overview
1. The Government should have an overarching strategy crossing Government departments
on enterprise education.
2. The Government should bring clarity and definition to what enterprise education and
entrepreneurship education are; they are equally important, but different.
3. Teacher training should include a module on enterprise education.
4. The Government should deliver a new section of the OFSTED report called ‘business
engagement’, quite separately from community engagement.
5. Businesses that engage with enterprise and entrepreneurship education should be able to
set all related expenses against tax ? including their time ? and receive training vouchers to
spend on developing themselves or their employees.
6. Peer?to?peer networks have impact and need more overt recognition, funding and support
from Government.
7. Universities UK should seek ways to work amongst its members to engender commitment
and effect change toward entrepreneurship, and as a first step to provide a minimum
provision of an introductory module on entrepreneurship. This should be designed for
students of all disciplines, so that all students are able to explicitly learn about business start?
up. HEIs should similarly be encouraged and supported to incorporate embedded enterprise
education in context?led/subject?specific curriculum ? so all students are encouraged to
consider themselves as enterprising individuals who both benefit from, and contribute to,
their HEI’s commitment to support economic growth.The many associated bodies and
partners committed to this agenda, including, but not limited to, HEFCE, ABS, NCEE, QAA,
Enterprise Educators UK, ISBE and LEPs should all step forward to work with UUK vigorously to
this end.
8. The Association of Business Schools (ABS) should undertake a rigorous piece of research to
measure how many entrepreneurs emerge from business schools, what steps might be taken
to improve this, and what interdisciplinary approaches can inform the Business Schools.
270
9..Long term research is needed for long term visions, e.g. alumni perspectives showing not
just the start but also the progressive impact of enterprise education and support.
10. A working group should be established between the Gazelle Colleges Group, universities
and business schools alongside the CBI, FBI, SFEDI and other business groups to put forward
proposals and recommendations to improve the number and quality of new business start?ups
and micro venture support through changes in higher education.
11. Government support for educators developing innovation in early years must extend to
better informed assessments and changes of OFSTED assessments meters.
12..Further, the Government must incentivize school educators in enterprise education
beyond OFSTED and assessment criteria.
270http://www.associationofbusinessschools.org/category/tags/abs
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13..The Government should propose recommendations to support the education of work
returners wishing to establish their own business which should cross BIS, DFE and DWP.
14..Every LEP Board should have at least two members from the SME community, one of
which should be an entrepreneur.
15..Applications for funding by LEP’s from the Regional Growth Fund and other government
funding sources should include an evidenced statement of the steps it has taken regarding
entrepreneur support, including but not limited to mentoring and skills training, with funding
being conditional on this being satisfactory.
16..The LEP should be obliged to engage with the local education community, for which
without a plan and progress report, no applications can be made for Government funding
under the RGF.
17..The Government should look towards the world stage for best practice and similar
initiatives.
Key Recommendations:
The Government should have an overarching strategy crossing Government departments on
enterprise education. This strategy should reflect the needs of the full education spectrum, not just
tertiary education. It should also cover returners to work, especially if they are not familiar with the
needs of small and micro enterprises.
The Government should make enterprise education a mandatory part of the curriculum from 4 to 18
and delivery should be appropriately assessed in an informed way by OFSTED, with reference to the
curriculum?wide approach discussed.
Government needs to clearly articulate what its own definitions of enterprise education and
entrepreneurship education are, as there are a number of widely used versions. OFSTED define
enterprise as having three strands, only one of which, financial literacy, is from 2014 a mandatory
part of the curriculum. The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education offers a lead on this, and
their work is consistently referenced in any new university level provision. These need to inform the
decision?making process.
While NACUE with Government sponsorship have driven student awareness and support of
enterprise and entrepreneurship across the tertiary sector, academic support and subsequently its
engagement is not at the same level. Universities UK should seek ways to work amongst its
members to engender commitment and effect change toward entrepreneurship, and as a first step
to provide a minimum provision of an introductory module on entrepreneurship. This should be
designed for students of all disciplines, so that all students are able to explicitly learn about
business start?up. HEIs should similarly be encouraged and supported to incorporate embedded
enterprise education in context?led/subject?specific curriculum ? so all students are encouraged to
consider themselves as enterprising individuals who both benefit from, and contribute to, their
HEI’s commitment to support economic growth.The many associated bodies and partners
committed to this agenda, including, but not limited to, HEFCE, ABS, NCEE, QAA, Enterprise
Educators UK, ISBE and LEPs should all step forward to work with UUK vigorously to this end. Such
a module can be used to trigger more advanced learning and to facilitate further curricular change; it
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should focus on learning and developing capacity for enterprising endeavour, and not merely involve
learning about the topic.
The majority of graduates from business schools pursue a career in management, many with high
street names ? few set up businesses themselves. Most entrepreneurs have reported that they
either never go to university or read a non business?related subject. We note Lord Young’s request
to the Association of Business Schools to develop a new national Supporting Small Business Charter.
We recommend the ABS should continue research into how many entrepreneurs emerge from
business schools, developing ideas for steps to be taken to improve this, and what interdisciplinary
approaches can inform the Business Schools.
The Gazelle Colleges Group puts enterprise at the heart of what they do. Likewise the HE sector has
made significant inroads, not least in having an overarching quality framework for all University?level
education. Their work should be promoted and made subject to clear UK quality standards, and
Government should then endorse their kite mark. There will be learning here for both parties. A
working group should be established between the Gazelle Colleges, Educator Networks,
universities and Business Schools alongside the CBI, SFEDI and other business groups to put
forward proposals and recommendations to improve the number and quality of new business start
ups and micro venture support through changes in Further and Higher education.
Government should re?evaluate its start?up business funding support schemes. There is clear
evidence based on research undertaken by Cambridge University that money on its own will not
increase enterprise. Mentoring and education are by far the most effective methods. Government
should look at the initiatives being led by some of the venture capital university spin?out businesses,
programmes like the School for Start Ups and the New Entrepreneurs Foundation which combine
work experience, education and mentoring to identify what aspects of this integrated approach can
be made scalable. Money spent here may deliver more than existing voucher and loan schemes.
Post full time education support for start?ups is patchy. There are a number of social enterprises
and charities that engage in this area but it is a bit hit and miss. The Princes Trust and Prime are
good examples but can only help so many. We know that part time further education uptake is
declining. We recommend the Government establish a working group to propose
recommendations to educationally support work returners wishing to establish their own business
which should cross BIS, DFE and DWP.
Local Enterprise Partnerships are tasked with driving small business growth in their local economy
and while many plans include proposals for entrepreneur support including, but not limited to,
mentoring support and skills training, this is not universally happening. We recommend every LEP
Board must have at least two members from the SME community one of which must be an
entrepreneur. We further recommend that applications for funding from Regional Growth Fund
must include an evidenced statement of the steps it has taken regarding entrepreneur support
including, but not limited to, mentoring and skills training, with funding being conditional on this
being satisfactory. Finally we recommend an obligation on the LEP to engage with the local
education community without a plan for which and progress report no funding applications can be
made for Government funding under the RGF.
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Local engagement between SME businesses and the education system needs to be increased and
incentivised. The old work experience and careers advice only goes so far. The UTC has been a
remarkable vehicle to deliver true engagement across curriculum development and more broadly in
the community. The Government needs to deliver a new section of the OFSTED report called
business engagement, quite separately from community engagement. This needs to look at how
schools build a sustainable relationship with local businesses of all sizes, perhaps looking at the
Rotherham model. It is crucial that this includes small businesses and local traders. We need role
models from the micro enterprise and SME community including the self employed sole trader
preferably to engage. Young people particularly need to be able to identify with local small
businesses and experience as much as possible what it is like to run one. This could be though a mix
of direct engagement and using simulation software for example. We recommend businesses that
engage can set all related expenses against tax including their time and receive training vouchers
to spend on developing themselves or their employees.
The Government should look towards the world stage for best practice and similar initiatives. The
United Nations Conference for Trade and Development has published useful frameworks on the
development of an entrepreneurial ecosystem and the European Commission have undertaken
significant work on enterprise educator development. Many European Countries already have policy
structures in place and these can inform issues such as educator network development and new
learning for teacher training. The UK education system needs to move from a culture of dependency
to one of initiative taking and innovation.
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Appendix - Full Contributions
Appendix 1- Contributions From Entrepreneurs
Zoe Jackson, Living the Dream
"Our education system is seriously lacking in preparing young people for the option of enterprise
and self?employment when leaving school, despite the fact that unemployment numbers for young
people are high and further education is financially out of reach for many. Starting one’s own
business is often disregarded as a viable option and the curriculum sadly reflects this.”
“Skills that equip a young person in self?employment or enterprise include business, finance,
marketing, PR, presentation skills and hands?on enterprise experience – such as setting up a venture
at school with the right support – and these should all be embedded into the curriculum from
primary school level.”
“These skills would not only encourage young people to set up a business, even whilst still at school,
as I did at the age of 16, but also help those take the step into work with confidence and an
entrepreneurial outlook, especially as organisations are increasing their value in entrepreneurial
spirit amongst their employees.”
“Whilst the creative and entertainment industries help significantly in fuelling our economy, our
Government is devaluing and dismantling creative subjects such as arts, drama, dance and music at
school.“
“I cannot contemplate a society without young people having open access to creativity within the
education system, irrespective of whether or not it is a career choice. The Arts help students in any
career, giving them skills in problem?solving, critical thinking, communication, innovation, creativity,
confidence and the ability to strive for excellence.”
“At the heart of enterprise is creativity, being able to think innovatively, and without the opportunity
to develop this within the context of the curriculum, there is little hope.”
“Without a fully?rounded education, both creativity and enterprise will be lost. I ask the
Government to ensure the rightful place of enterprise and creative subjects in the school curriculum,
in order to place our next generation of young people as the future of our enterprise and creative
industries.”
Nikki Hesford, Made in Preston
“My experience of business back in 2008 when I began consisted of a B grade GCSE in Business
Studies and nothing else, and this module of study provided nothing of value in the real world of
business other than knowing the difference between a sole trader and a Ltd. company! In order to
set up my business and begin trading I relied 50% on Google, 30% on advice given by local enterprise
108
agencies (which no longer exist) and 20% on friends/family/picking up the phone/reading business
forum discussions.”
“I attended various day?courses ran by enterprise agencies; there was one about taxation/basic
accounting, one about marketing, and one about how to network effectively. These were very good,
free resources, and the only opportunity I had to get together with a dozen other local people who
were also in the same boat of starting their first business. Sadly, there is no longer any funding for
these events, and they no longer exist.”
“If the objective is to learn how to better prepare young people for an enterprising future, basic life
skills should be routinely taught. Do they teach students in school how to register a domain name?
What is hosting? What is a credit score? What are the repercussions of not bothering to pay your
mobile phone bill? Basic contract law should be taught in schools – what makes a contract binding,
what to check before signing a contract, what to include if writing a contract. How to write
formal/business letters (I don’t know about you, but the way I was taught to write a letter in school
was by indenting the first paragraph, your address only… etc, not a format I’ve ever seen a letter
written in as an adult!) Young people have good ideas, creative and innovative designs and
inventions, but they lack the basic life skills to run a business or even to be a useful member of a
team. The same applies for apprentices. The £1,500 grant is not incentive enough to have to babysit
a 16 year old for 35 hours a week whose work needs constantly checking because you can’t assume
they have the independent thought or initiative to do something correctly without it being spoon?
fed. To quote Einstein: “it is a miracle curiosity survives formal education” and it’s (sadly) true.”
“As aforementioned, having basic life skills in the first place would be useful. Knowing how to open a
bank account, knowing how to write a business plan, knowing what profit and loss mean… at the
moment these are skills only taught to those taking specific business modules, yet these should be
given to everyone.”
“Although there are soft loans and funding available, these are (in my experience) processed and
authorised by people who have never run a business in their lives. Retired bankers,
accountants, hedge fund managers. The commercial banks have branch managers, who have also
never run businesses in their lives – nor do they have the discretion to talk to someone and decide if
they should lend them money; most of the time it’s the computer that says no. When handing over
£60million to a regional development agency to decide who should use that money in the form of
loans from £5,000 ? £50,000, don’t just give them an application form the size of War and Peace and
leave them to get on with it, before spending eight weeks processing it, only to halt the application
two months down the line because there isn’t any proof enclosed that their car insurance covers for
business use (I kid you not)…”
“And then when these people do get the money, they are simply abandoned with £50,000 burning in
their back pocket, and nobody to help them along their way. Surely some kind of mentoring should
be included (from someone who has actually ran a successful business) – the level of help correlating
to the amount of money being loaned?”
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“There is a definite need for more business mentors, but these people a) need to have a proven
business success and not just someone who calls themselves a ‘coach’ and b) good people need to
be paid. If you pay peanuts you will get monkeys, and then you have monkeys teaching other
monkeys how to spend £50,000 when for the sake of paying a decent consultancy rate of £500?800 a
day for a day a month, for 6 months, you can ensure that someone is helping the business use that
money effectively and wisely. I have seen some enterprise agencies calling out for mentors and I
believe from discussions with colleagues about it, people have been told the positions are unpaid
when they have enquired.”
Jacob Hill, The Lazy Camper
“I had my first encounter with enterprise education at Brighouse High School, an enterprise school in
Yorkshire. Most lessons taught had a certain enterprise element to them, which always got me
thinking from the age of 11. I successfully set up a sweet cartel across 2 schools before I was 15,
which, when found out, shocked my teachers!”
“My college years saw a completely different approach from my teachers in terms of encouraging
enterprise; they simply didn't care about it. Their main concern was getting myself as one of three
thousand students through their A levels... But this got me in to my university.”
“I am currently in my third year of study at the University of Huddersfield on the Enterprise
development degree, one of three of its kind in the UK. The degree is designed to support students
to build their business whilst completing a degree endorsed by Theo Paphitis.”
“My education has helped me build my business, as I am passionate about learning the theory.
However, my main learning of enterprise has come from practice, without a doubt. Experience is
what you get, when you don't get what you want.”
“There is so much support out there for start?up businesses from Government, i.e. start up loans and
ERDF offering finance and mentoring, which is great.”
“Private firms are also helping out where they can, namely Shell LiveWire, Virgin Media Pioneers,
Intuit, Start?up Britain and esparkuk. They help for a good PR story and as part of their brand CSR.
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”
“I believe I would have thrived more with not just one mentor but a few. The enterprise team at the
University of Huddersfield has a business workshop event every week ranging from guest speakers
sharing not only their success but their failures as well, to finance seminars learning how to build a
cash flow etc.”
“These are helpful workshops which unlike have just one mentor means we have access to a wide
range of people.”
271 Also see chapter 6 for information on large businesses supporting entrepreneurs
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Peter Harrington, Founder, Simventure
“Ten years before starting out myself I had watched my mum launch and grow here own company in
Nottingham. Whilst I can’t remember being inspired by her to become self?employed, I did witness
the transformation of a person who ‘loved what they did’. There must have been some osmotic
transfer.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed Young Enterprise and was MD of a thriving company. However, I took no
business?related courses at school. My degree in Leisure Management (1985?1989) did however put
me into situations where I was dealing with uncertainty, change and lots of people. I found I enjoyed
these challenges and the freedom and challenge of having to solve problems for myself; my tutor at
the time also provided structure to my thinking and heightened my self?belief. He was a strong
influence and encouraged my desire to start in business.”
“The recession of 1989 coincided with my degree qualification and attempts to join the job market.
Uninspired by the prospect of wearing a suit and conforming to the rules set by others and
increasingly interested in the idea of depending on myself I decided to set up a business in York
straight after graduation. This decision was also fuelled by a healthy dose of ignorance.”
“Any Government needs to start by asking itself whether it is really serious about improving start?up
and survival rates over the medium to long term. If it is, then it must accept that it has to be
entrepreneurial in its intent and actions.”
“Here are some key recommendations that I would make:
• Use robust research to identify target groups (age, sector, geography, growth mindset) and
the support required.
• Accept that a top?down controlled approach doesn’t work because of costly bureaucracy
and client dependency*.
• Encourage/fund start?up hubs that involve and engage a growing community of
entrepreneurs and let them fly.
• Linked to hubs are practical courses that people can take which may/may not be linked to
wider qualifications.
• Reward ways of teaching and training that use experiential, hands?on methods and are
clearly innovative and client rather than tutor/process centred. Involve psychological
profiling so people better know themselves.
• Be honest and tell people from the outset that some of the above will fail.”
*One of my major concerns with the Enterprise Agency/Business Link model was the culture of
dependency it created. It became a numbers game for the agencies and over 15 years I don’t think I
really saw any change in the way training was delivered despite the technology transformation in
this period.
“Part of the problem outlined above was the people in charge of the process. Was there any motive
for them to ever change: Did they have the skills to make improvements in the way they supported
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budding entrepreneurs? Too often I found that the people in charge of start?up environments had
the ability to run a bank or a public sector department etc. but rarely the ability to think like and for
the entrepreneur. People starting and running businesses gravitate to people who they trust and
believe in and where/when this is not happening, start?up communities fragment and businesses
die.”
“With the increasing emphasis now on universities and colleges to provide business support I think
there is greater opportunity to create meaningful start?up hubs. However, I am concerned that these
centres will fall under the responsibility of a ‘manager’ who again chases numbers and focuses on
maintaining the status quo rather than being able to innovate and continuously drive matters
forward. Hubs need inspirational, generative leaders with an appropriate small business track record
that people starting in business understand and respect. Hubs that become magnets for people
seeking success and successful people create healthy communities where businesses flourish.”
Drew Ellis, Founder, Like Minds
“I had no formal education in starting a business. This is a major element missing from the education
system even now. I was educated to degree level (BA Hons. Graphic Design) and it was only through
initially working for a small design practice that I got to understand the real mechanics of business. I
was able to experience it first hand, as in a small business you do everything. I learnt a range of
things that my degree hadn’t equipped me for. In simple terms I could produce the work (thanks to
my training) but had no idea how to sell it, or build what I did into a business of my own. The
experience of working in a creative and collaborative business inspired me to start my own four
years later which I built up and eventually sold to a British PLC before I was 30. It was this experience
that then set me on the path of entrepreneurship ? once you’ve built and successfully sold a business
(at whatever level) you’re inspired to do it again and again.”
“How not to do it? Don’t try and do it on your own. Every business needs partners and collaborators.
Search them out, share your vision and find someone who wants to join you on the journey. Don’t
rely on banks, they only provide access to money when you don’t need it. Find investment
elsewhere, bootstrap the company for as long as you can or until the money starts to flow and then
reinvest it back into the business to allow it to grow. Don’t go out and find an office ? use a cost
effective collaborative space or shared office scheme.”
“I think people leaving education (at whatever age) or their current employment should be inspired
to build a business. Small businesses are the life blood of this country. To be able to work in a shared
environment where you sit alongside your peers who are all working on developing a business idea
is an incredibly stimulating and supportive environment.”
“My business, Like Minds, started a co?working club in partnership with a central London hotel that
had the space available. In a matter of months we had over 80 people working from the space across
a range of business sectors. Freelancers found clients, clients found suppliers and employees and
one start up grew from two people into a global business that now have offices in four countries.
They believe that the collaborative environment we provided helped fast track them into the
business they are today.”
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“We are now looking to establish this type of environment at a much larger scale in London and then
look to build these Co?Working Clubs across the country. In these environments we can establish
learning platforms and frameworks like Like Minds U
272
which we’re running in Liverpool at the IFB in
July, which support and educate start?ups in the areas they’re weak in.”
“If this country had a network of spaces where people could start businesses in a stimulating
environment creating a shared experience coupled with a structured learning platform that people
could dip in and out of to suit their requirements then I think that would go a long way providing the
support needed. Like Minds is there to help foster this thinking and build these platforms in
partnership with Government and larger scale business partners.”
“In a more formal education program, schools should look to work with more small businesses and
get them to come in and tell 5th/6th formers their story. People love stories, and practical lessons in
how someone created and built a business are inspirational moments that should be shared with the
next generation.””
Simon Barker, Founder, Radfan
“My education included very little ‘business stuff’ and when it did, as an engineer, I paid very little
attention. I certainly wish I had paid more attention, however I feel that (2 years into running a new
company) the formalised education on offer doesn’t really prepare you for life as a start?up founder;
I think you just have to pick it up as you go along. The areas where it would be useful are in
accounting and finance, as making a balance sheet actually balance is a massive challenge in the first
month when you are coming up with forecasts and can’t afford an accountant.”
“The other area that could do with some focus is sales and marketing; this is the most important
part of any business and an area that techie folks like myself gloss over in the early days.”
“I think the most useful thing for people is hearing others’ stories. What we find useful is hearing
talks from people just a bit further down the path from us. So in the early days it would have been
good to hear from people 1 or 2 years into the business (doing something similar, i.e. high
growth/lifestyle/shop etc). This remains true now that we are 2 years in; we like to hear from people
who are 4 and 5 years in.”
“The problem with speakers at universities is that they get people who started their business 15
years ago and sold it 3 years ago to talk. This is too remote and distant from where pre?start people
are, and the messages (while they could still be the same) don’t get across as well.”
“Money to pay for food and rent: Revenue funding is all well and good but once you have the advice
from the expensive business consultant you still need money to action it and also keep a roof over
your head. The biggest hurdle to young people starting business is this problem, and it is infuriating
when all the little pots of money are only allowed to be used to pay for advice. Generally a start?up
272http://wearelikeminds.com/likemindsu
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can get all the advice it needs over a few cups of coffee with a variety of people ? the problem is
paying for equipment, food, accountants, lawyers to raise money etc.”
“In an ideal world entrepreneurs should be able to apply for some kind “entrepreneurs benefit”. I
know this sounds very un?self?reliant but when you know you could sit on your backside and get
benefits instead of start a business (or get a “real job” with a steady income) it can be very
frustrating ? especially if you want to start a company that will be pre?revenue for a couple of years.
Ideally angels and VCs would step in and fund you, but that can be very hit or miss in the UK and pre?
revenue freaks investors out.”
Joanna Montgomery, Founder, Little Riot
“I wouldn't say I had much education around starting a business within the curriculum. There was
nothing at primary school and nothing at high school except generic 'business studies' (which I didn't
even take). At university, in our later years we were encouraged to think about the bigger picture ?
e.g. I studied a design/computing degree, and eventually our projects had to include elements such
as at least thinking about how much something would cost to implement, or how/if it would
generate profit. I attended my university's Enterprise Society which is where I learned how to do
things like market research, writing a cash?flow forecast, preparing a business plan etc. At the time, I
didn't do this because I thought I wanted to run a business, I did it because I had an idea that I
wanted to see come to life; much how I started my business in the end, really.”
“I think there is a lot of support available for people wishing to start service, retail or software?based
businesses. My bugbear is with electronics/hardware ? it's something I have struggled to find help
with for over 3 years (and still do). Given that the UK is so keen to promote manufacture within
Britain, there should be more help for those who are actively looking to do that. I have been loudly
looking for help/advice in this area for years ? at least once a day, I get so frustrated that I think I'd
be better to get on a plane to San Francisco as I know I could find what I'm looking for there.”
Stephen Topfer, Founder, Winweb
“I was lucky to have gone to a school where they gave lessons in bookkeeping and business planning,
especially cash?flow planning. This has been of great help to me in the last 35 years running my own
businesses. Today this would have to a little broader as the business landscape has changed
considerably. This is reflected in the kind of business workshops we offer for start?ups and existing
businesses.”
“Running a business can be very easy and successful when you follow some simple steps. What
needs to happen is that you get rid of distractions (i.e. technical, red?tape, back?office) and allow the
business owner to build a goal?focused business. It is still shocking to me how many so?called
'professionals' try to over?complicate the issues at hand. Keeping it simple is the most important
objective for anyone supporting or educating business owners.”
“Government needs to learn to get out of the way; 50 years of business support and the 5 year
mortality rate has not changed. We (WinWeb) operate already 20% lower among our clients and I'm
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confident we (WinWeb) can reduce the mortality rate to below 25% in the next 5 years. A good
business owner education should start in school and then extend to universities with easy entry
requirements and practical learning, while transferring basic business knowledge and latest research
at the same time.”
Abdul Khan, Founder, Pass The Popcorn
“So far, I have started 2 businesses and taken over 1. The very first business I had started did not
perform as expected, which allowed me to learn a lot. For me, experience is the best of teachers. I
had no formal 'lessons' on how to do business other than hearing of my (late) father's experiences
(at a young age) in holding restaurants and takeaways that served Indian/Bangladeshi curry. These
were all told in informal settings; looking back I wish I had concentrated more on what was said.”
“In an ideal world, skills needed in enterprise would be taught in a more formal setting, so those
teaching can be taken more seriously. Those who want to work for themselves know it as a little
spark, from what I believe is a very young age. If we could identify these individuals early on, in a
school environment, they would be encouraged to pick up vital skills to succeed. In an ideal world,
we would also teach these individuals to embrace failure, as currently coming first and always
winning holds too much precedent. This behaviour can be dangerously discouraging for aspiring
entrepreneurs. I understand that nearly all successful entrepreneurs had many failures along the
way, but their resilient character keeps them going and improving on the last experience.”
Ronke Ige, Founder Emi and Ben
“I’m happy to say that my experience of starting a business was born during my senior years at
secondary school. This was through an enterprise initiative where year groups were put into groups
to create businesses of 5?6 pupils. Members of each team voted their ‘colleagues’ to take up the
various roles on offer, e.g. Managing Director, Head of Marketing etc and as a group the brief was to
brainstorm a business idea surrounding a product, develop the product, go to market and make a
profit. The winning team across the year was then entered into a national school competition. Our
team developed a range of personalised photo clocks which were extremely popular across the
school. Our team, named ‘Elvis Enterprises’ went onto win the school competition and nationals
finals. It was from this point I knew I wanted to run my own businesses, which led me to choosing to
do my A?Levels within Business.”
“It would be great to introduce the option of self employment/enterprise from an early age to be
mandatory across the Secondary School curriculum. Enterprise is a career choice which many young
people are familiar with as this generation are seeing from firsthand experience due to their family,
friends and celebrities, being a path that is increasingly popular and is something which could
potentially be successful for them.”
“Had I learnt about business in a more in?depth manner when I was younger, I’m sure I would have
chosen to go down the route of self?employment sooner than I did. I still feel it’s important to go
out there and work for an external organisation within the business or corporate sector first, as such
experience is invaluable; it was for me having worked in the PR industry for several years prior to
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going self?employed. However, having the in?depth business knowledge and then the professional
business environment as my armour would have definitely given me the confidence to start my
businesses earlier than the age of 28.”
.
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Appendix 2- Contributions From Agencies and Support
Organisations
Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative (SFEDI)
The QAA Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (England) in General Business and
Management states that:
“Preparation for business should be taken to mean the development of a range of specific business
knowledge and skills, together with the improved self?awareness and personal development
appropriate to graduate careers in business with the potential for management positions and to
employability in general. This includes the encouragement of positive and critical attitudes towards
change and enterprise, so as to reflect the dynamism and vibrancy of the business environment.
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”
“In the majority of schools, Further Education colleges and Higher Education Institutions, there is a
range of offerings to assist learners in realising business and enterprise potential. These offerings are
embedded both in the curriculum and as an extra?curricular activity. As a result, learners may have
multiple business and enterprise experiences prior to finishing their studies, where they are exposed
to different conceptualisations of business, enterprise and entrepreneurship (Hartshorn, 2002).”
However, in a report produced by the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship (NCGE), the
National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) and the Council for Industry and
Higher Education (CIHE) concluded that:
“Entrepreneurship education is currently taught primarily through modules in business school
courses and extra?curricular activities. HEIs need to enhance the perception and relevance of
entrepreneurship education, so students and staff recognise the value of its combination of
innovation, creativity, collaboration and risk?taking skills to a wide range of disciplines.
274
”
“Indeed, a brief review of business and enterprise education in the UK identifies that the majority of
provision relates to ‘learning about’ rather than ‘learning for’. The former is focused on enhancing
understanding of business and enterprise through reflection on knowledge and theory, whilst the
latter is about developing the mindset and capabilities required to be enterprising and
entrepreneurial.”
“The focus on ‘learning about’ reflects not only the prevailing methodological paradigm within
enterprise and entrepreneurship (which influences how enterprise and entrepreneurship is
researched and taught as well as the importance attached to certain assessment methods vis?à?vis
others), but also the focus on enterprise and entrepreneurship as new venture creation (Gartner,
1985; Down, 2010).”
273http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/InformationandGuidance/Documents/FHEQ08.pdf
274http://www.ncee.org.uk/publication/developing_entrepreneurial_graduates.1.pdf
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“Gibb (2007) and Penaluna and Penaluna (2011) note that this focus on ‘learning about’ rather than
‘learning for’ has resulted in a lack of innovative practice in business and enterprise education,
particularly in terms of embedding the experiences of business people in curriculum development
and providing an enterprising business and enterprise education experience through teaching and
assessment.”
“In terms of the former, a recent European Commission study noted that there are a number of
areas of ‘need to know’ in terms of embedding the experiences of businesses in the development
and delivery of business and enterprise education, and balancing the notions of expertise between
the educator and the business person (The European Commission, 2013). With the provision of an
enterprising business and enterprise education, for example, the guidance around effective
assessment has not developed along with the growth of offerings and, as a result, the guidance is
somewhat limited. The QAA benchmark statements on enterprise and entrepreneurship education
only devote a couple of pages of A4 to issues related to learning and assessment and note that there
are a lack of support structures for enterprise educators to enhance their professional development
as educators (QAA, 2012).”
“There are a number of opportunities and challenges related to embedding the experiences of
businesses in enterprise education. The key opportunities relate:
• Exposing learners to alternative or different perspectives ? as entrepreneurs and business
owners will have different views around key aspects of starting and developing a business
and the associated learning and skills requirements. This will provide learners with a range
of experiences in order to make sense of theories and concepts.
• Networking and relationship development ? in that exposure to entrepreneurs and business
owners will provide learners with an opportunity to develop ‘know?who’ as part of the
education experience.
• Bringing the future forward – by their nature academics tend to look at the past and present
in their work. In contrast, entrepreneurs and business owner?managers will be looking to
bring forward understanding of the future to identify opportunities to underpin business
development activity.
• Understanding of own personal value and employability options – exposure to
entrepreneurs and business owners will assist learners in reflecting on their own personal
value and how this can communicated to others to support employability.
However, there are a number of challenges to integrating businesses into the enterprise
education experience. These include:
• Understanding of teaching and assessment strategies – there is a need for the educator to
invest time in enhancing understanding of the entrepreneur and business owner as to
teaching and assessment strategies, so experiences can be used to enhance the learning
experience of the learner.
• Quality ‘assurance’ – there are a number of challenges surrounding how to bridge more
traditional notions of quality assurance in higher education and those promoted by ‘learning
by doing’, i.e. in facilitating a business owner or entrepreneur working with a learner to
support their skills development. For example, diaries may be a useful way of a business and
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the learner capturing the key outcomes from the relationship but these tend to be rarely
used in enterprise education, in comparison to exams and assignments.
• Managing student expectations – there are a number of challenges in managing the
expectations of students around the inputs of entrepreneurs and business owners as part of
the enterprise education. On the one hand, over?use within a course can lead students to
students not being able to place experience within theory and perceiving the education
experience as a training intervention. On the other hand, if one type of entrepreneur is
presented to the students on an ongoing basis, it may influence perceptions as to the type of
business activities pursued by them.
• Requires time to maintain relationship – if entrepreneurs and business owners are used over
and above the odd guest speaker lecture, there is a need for the educator to invest time in
developing and maintaining relationships so that experiences of the entrepreneur and
owner?manager can be embedded on a more meaningful basis. However, the educator
rarely has the opportunity to identify such commitments within current workload
management systems in higher education.”
“Therefore, at one level, it sounds relatively straightforward to embed the experiences of
entrepreneurs and business owners in the education experience. Whilst entrepreneurs and business
owners will be used as guest speakers, this can be equally as disabling as enabling experience,
particularly if the guest speaker is ‘distance’ from the learner. At another level, there are a number
of challenges to effectively embedding the experiences of businesses in the education experience. In
part, these need to be addressed through supporting the development of entrepreneurial processes
and practices in higher education institutions themselves.”
National Enterprise Network
“The more we can get the business community into schools (from the earliest possible age) the
better ? ideally however that should be the smaller businesses, not just the larger ones. It is far more
likely that most people will end up being employed in a small business, so the sooner
students/children have some exposure to that and see it as a positive career option, the better. The
problem of course is that when small business people are not working, they’re not earning, so of
course getting them into schools is not always that simple. This is an area where some of our
members have come up with some innovation, as particularly those who are operating managed
workspace and incubation facilities are trying to engage schools to bring children into their centres,
and they coordinate something so they get to meet the businesses they are housing. Taking the
students to them rather than expecting the business people to come to schools is perhaps one way
to get around the problem? Our members are managing over 1.635m sq ft of space, housing almost
3000 businesses, which could be a good start.”
“We need to get far more professionals who have real experience of running businesses involved in
delivering enterprise education – all too often the business studies teacher is given the job and they
are very often not the best person, sometimes it’s even more random than that! But the more we
have real people with real experience living and breathing the teaching of enterprise, the more
chance we have of ensuring it is put across as a positive option rather than a last resort!”
119
“We need to think about more than just enterprise. If we can, focus more broadly on enterprising
skills, and that way whether people ever go onto starting a business or not, they will have more
transferable skills which will add value in terms of them being employees too!”
“We also need to integrate enterprise into core subjects far better than we currently do – rather
than it being a separate subject all the time – why not look at cash flows as part of maths subjects,
spreadsheets as part of IT, poster design as part of DT, writing marketing copy as part of English –
I’m sure you know the sort of thing?”
“We also need to integrate enterprise education within institutions far better with the support
available outside the institution. All too often the support is very insular in nature and takes little or
no account of the support available from the wider enterprise support community, bearing in mind
many students (particularly HE and to an extent FE too) don’t study where they live, thus making
connections to more widely available support would be adding greater value overall?”
“Integrating enterprise support into vocational courses has to be a priority. Many students doing
vocational courses are very likely to need to look at self employment at some point in their career,
whether they realise it at this stage or not, so some introduction whilst they are studying anyway has
to make perfect sense. Many of our members tell us they get a good response from college
principals about the value of doing this; the problems come when they get put onto the faculty
heads to actually make it happen.”
“Last but not least, enterprise or entrepreneurship, our view is in the early stages concentrate on
enterprise, let entrepreneurship take care of itself later in life for those students who see that as a
real option and desire (Whiteley 2013).”
Business Community in Enterprise Education
Forum of Private Business
“Tackling the bleak no?man’s land between education and employment is a key priority for
Government as youth unemployment rates in the UK remain stubbornly high. The figure has been
hovering closely around the 1 million mark following the rapid increase from 2008.”
“Recent economic data indicates growth, and with rising business confidence employment should be
on the cards. Forum members polled earlier in the year revealed they expected to see a modest
increase in employment with 19% expecting to have more staff in 2014 than they currently have.
275
Whilst this is positive news, it does not mask the fact that just 21% of members are happy with the
skills available in their local labour force. For young people coming out of education with little or no
work experience, these statistics perhaps shed some light on why that unemployment rate has
remained so high.”
275 FPB, Referendum 203, Employment and Skills (April 2013)
120
“One of the key links between education and employment was severed in 2012 when the duty on
schools to provide work related learning was abolished. Regrettably this decision has not only
removed the opportunity for young people to experience a real work place at a young age but has
also seen many lines of communication between schools and local employers disappear. The duty,
whilst far from perfect, provided a welcome opportunity for micro employers to support their local
community. In 2012 40% of Forum members were providing work experience for students from local
schools and colleges and 5% reported they would like to offer the experience.
276
The Forum would
like to see the duty reintroduced with a focus on schools working in partnership with employers to
provide young people with a broader ‘experience of work’ rather than simply a generic week long
placement.”
“Experience of work encompasses a much broader swathe of employment activities to that would
give students an understanding of the skills and attitudes required for the work place. It could be
involve anything from a talk to a group of youngsters to a full work experience placement. For a
micro business, time is their most valuable commodity. Education institutions cannot underestimate
this when approaching employers, and should take the time to understand the nature of the
business before requesting assistance.”
“In our forthcoming report, problem?solving, self?motivation, self?assessment, and selling/marketing
oneself emerged as the top 4 competencies employers would like to see the education system teach
young people.
277
These competencies were regarded as important for young people as employees
and if they were looking to start their own businesses.”
“These competencies can be recognised in the CREATE framework that Studio Schools follow.
278
The
Forum of Private Business supports the creation of Studio Schools in England. They are a way of
bringing the world of work into the world of education through partnership working with employers,
work experience and enterprise projects. The Forum is a partner of the Knutsford Academy Studio
School which will open in September 2014.”
Business in Education
Federation of Small Business
“In the two most recent FSB Voice of Small Business Quarterly reports, access to appropriately
skilled staff was seen as the third biggest barrier to business growth, only behind the domestic
economy and consumer demand. Businesses are also critical members of local communities and
they hold deep concerns about systemic youth unemployment.”
“In a recent survey of members (Federation of Small Businesses 2013) 46% of members do not
believe that local schools and colleges prepare young people to a sufficient standard for businesses
and employers, and when recruiting young people
279
61% of employers are not confident that they
276 FPB, Referendum 200, Business Sustainability (July 2012)
277 FPB, Training and Skills Panel Report (Jan 2014)
278http://www.studioschoolstrust.org/studio?schools/create?framework/
279 Aged 24 and under
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will find a candidate with the right skills
280
. Improving the skills and knowledge of the younger
generation is a priority for them and something which the FSB is focussed on.”
“The FSB believes that there are a number of actions which could better prepare young people for
work in small businesses, the workplace and society in general. The curriculum from primary school
onwards needs to ensure that schools teach everything required to produce a rounded individual
with the core knowledge and personal skills to prosper in a modern economy. Enterprise education
is a crucial part of this alongside careers advice and guidance, work?related learning, work
experience and the opportunities to develop employability skills.”
“Schools are no longer required to offer young people enterprise education, although the FSB hopes
many still will. The FSB believes that enterprise education not only helps teach young people about
business and how to create one, but will also help them to develop employability skills such as
effective communication, self?management, team working and problem solving.”
“Without employers getting involved with schools and colleges, enterprise education will not work.
Many teachers have not worked in business nor have experience of workplaces other than the
classroom. Therefore it is crucial that teachers reach out to local small businesses to help support
them in the enterprise education that they provide young people.”
“Many businesses want to get involved with their local school or college to help with this work.
Some will offer work experience, be school governors, teach enterprise lessons, mentor young
people or take part in programmes such as Young Enterprise. Some small businesses are keen to get
involved with their local school or college but many do not know who to contact in schools or how
they can offer support. When we asked our members what would help encourage them to take on a
work experience student the second most cited reason was the need for a more proactive outreach
by schools to business. 67% of members had never been contacted by their local school or college.”
“In October 2013 the FSB announced that Young Enterprise will be the FSB’s charity for the next
three years. FSB members are often business mentors in schools, fundraise for the charity or sit on
the volunteer boards which run Young Enterprise locally. Small businesses that are involved become
enthusiastic about their work and are motivated by the idea that they are passing on their
experience to the younger generation. Young Enterprise is a good offer for schools because it allows
them to deliver a trusted programme of fun and inspiring enterprise education to young people and
helps them to develop links with the local business community which can sometimes be lacking as a
recent OFSTED report highlighted
281
.”
How can we encourage more entrepreneurs?
“We need to increase the role of entrepreneurs and businesses in our education system. Small
businesses across the country are looking for the next generation of talent to support their growth,
but many currently say the young people who apply to work with them lack the skills and knowledge
to be successful employees. Reversing this trend requires greater input from the employer
280 FSB voice of small business panel survey June 2013
281 Going in the right direction? Careers guidance in schools from September 2012, OFSTED September 2013
122
community within education. For example, the likes of Highbury College have already made
significant strides with their employer boards ? giving businesses a direct say in the shaping of
curricula. Entrepreneurs?in?residence are also a common feature across the Gazelle Colleges Group.
Successful entrepreneurs can act as a significant inspiration to young people, and we need more of
their participation throughout the sector.
To encourage more entrepreneurs, we need to broaden the sector’s understanding and appreciation
of entrepreneurship itself.”
“The Gazelle Colleges Group does not understand entrepreneurship in the narrow sense of the start?
up, but in the context of growth, and how a culture of entrepreneurship can support the growth of
the economy and local businesses. To fully benefit from entrepreneurship, colleges and schools must
embrace it across all teaching and learning. This includes in areas of the curriculum, notably STEM
subjects, which are not normally associated with wealth creation.”
“Young people with an interest in science must be encouraged to think commercially and of their
opportunity to start businesses as much as those engaged in computer science or
hospitality.(Donohue 2013)”
Business in the Community (BITC)
“BITC run a programme (Business Class) which partners businesses with schools in long?term 3 year
partnerships. Nearly 200 mainly large companies have partnered with over 300 schools across the
UK since the scheme began. It is mainly large businesses, but BITC have just announced a pilot to
bring more SMEs into the scheme working with Goldman Sachs – not to provide entrepreneurial
education in a formal sense, but to just give more young people access to entrepreneurial role
models and we hope widen their perspective of what the world of work might look like – self
employment as a career option etc.”
“In addition, through BITC’s youth mentoring programme (Mosaic) they run a national enterprise
competition for secondary school students designed to develop and encourage their entrepreneurial
skills. Teams of students work with a mentor from the business community to learn about becoming
future business leaders, develop business ideas.”
“There is real untapped potential for SME’s to better impact and influence young people in local
areas, which is why Business in the Community has today formed a new partnership with Goldman
Sachs to connect more SMEs with young people in schools across the country. The pilot aims to help
many more young people access entrepreneurial role models within school. Over the coming
months, we will be providing opportunities for smaller companies from Goldman Sachs’ 10,000
Businesses Program to get involved in schools by joining some of the established business?school
partnerships in 15 key cities across the UK.”
“As well as helping young people with practical support around careers, interview techniques,
employability skills and CV workshops, the participating entrepreneurs will also offer real?
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life inspiration to young people about the possibilities of setting up their own business by sharing
their own entrepreneurial backgrounds and stories.”
“Entrepreneurship is a valid and rewarding career choice. It is vital that young people get to hear
from people with the broadest range of backgrounds and experience what the world of work looks
like. We believe that exposing young people to innovative small businesses will give them a more
balanced picture of the local labour market and open their eyes to a broader number of potential
pathways post education which could involve working for a household name, but could also just as
easily see them start up their own venture or work for a start?up organisation.”
“BITC are aiming to create 500 Business Class partnerships by 2015 and we are excited at this new
possibility to inspire many more young people about entrepreneurship. By working in collaboration,
business of all sizes, together with schools can offer a much richer range of support for young people
than if we all worked individually. I urge business of all sizes to consider their role and how they can
each play their part to shape a motivated, generation of young people better equipped to achieve
their goals, and to contribute to a more competitive and productive UK plc.”
Gazelle College Group
“The Gazelle Colleges Group is a federation of further education colleges committed to transforming
the life chances and employment opportunities of young people through entrepreneurship.”
“Its 20 colleges are working closely with entrepreneurs and employers at local and national level to
develop the blueprint for entrepreneurial colleges.”
“Through innovative partnerships with employers, and new curriculum models that focus on giving
students commercial experience as they learn, Gazelle Colleges are redefining further education and
its role in preparing the UK’s young people to power the growth of the economy and small
businesses across the country.”
Gazelle Learning Companies:
“Gazelle Learning Companies are a curriculum innovation by which colleges enter into joint?ventures
or franchises with new or existing companies, creating college?owned businesses which are staffed
by students. The purpose is to allow learners to experience a real commercial environment, and
work on behalf of clients alongside studying for a Diploma or BTEC qualification.”
“One example is Fit4Less at North Hertfordshire College. This is a franchise of low?cost gym facilities,
owned by the Energie Group. The College opened a franchise to create one of the pioneering Gazelle
Learning Companies, and it is currently staffed by a team of eight students, in roles ranging from
operational management of the gym to customer sales and personal training.”
“The students are working towards BTEC Level 2/3 qualifications in personal training. Within the
Fit4Less Gazelle Learning Company, students do not just get practical experience of being a personal
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trainer or fitness instructor, but are given the chance to see how these skills apply within a business
environment, and gain commercial experience and perspective.”
How can we encourage more entrepreneurs?
“Young people need to have their eyes opened to entrepreneurship as a viable career option. This
will only happen by giving learners in schools and colleges active opportunities to experience the
creation and running of a business.”
“We need to increase the role of entrepreneurs and businesses in our education system. Small
businesses across the country are looking for the next generation of talent to support their growth,
but many currently say the young people who apply to work with them lack the skills and knowledge
to be successful employees. Reversing this trend requires greater input from the employer
community within education. For example, the likes of Highbury College have already made
significant strides with their employer boards ? giving businesses a direct say in the shaping of
curricula. Entrepreneurs?in?residence are also a common feature across the Gazelle Colleges Group.
Successful entrepreneurs can act as a significant inspiration to young people, and we need more of
their participation throughout the sector.”
PRIME
“Older workers are highly experienced and can make a valuable contribution to the workplace and
the economy. It is, therefore, vital they are given opportunities and incentives to remain in the
workforce, whether as employees, self?employed or setting up their own businesses.”
“Currently nearly 4 million people aged between 50 and 65 are not economically active and more
than 400,000 of those are seeking employment. Once out of work, the over 50s find it
disproportionately difficult to find jobs and are far more likely to be long?term unemployed. This is a
wasted opportunity for many individuals but also for the economy.”
“The Prince’s Initiative for Mature Enterprise (PRIME) is a national charity dedicated to helping the
over 50s, who are out of work, unemployed or facing the prospect of redundancy, to set?up their
own businesses. Educating aspiring mature entrepreneurs is at the heart of our work to build?up and
adapt older people’s skills to help them start sustainable new businesses.”
“We passionately believe access to appropriate education is extremely important for older people
who are looking to proactively change careers and those who are starting their own businesses as a
response to the lack of work opportunities. Education helps build?up older people’s skills, bring out
the best of their talents and consequently, will help ensure their businesses go on to become
sustainable successes.”
“One route more older people are going down is self?employment, more so than any other age
group. There are 4.2 million people who work for themselves in the UK, 14% of the total workforce,
and older people are making a significant contribution to this number, as there are 1,757 million
over 50s people who are self?employed.”
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“We deliver a suite of resources to help educate over 50s about enterprise, including: workshops to
explain the benefits of starting an enterprise and how to develop a business idea; a business
programme covering the building blocks essential to any enterprise, such as understanding accounts
and preparing business plans; and mentoring schemes, matching an experienced professional with
an entrepreneur in the start?up stage to share ideas and learn how best to develop a new
enterprise.”
“While we’re making concerted efforts to educate mature entrepreneurs, we would like to see a
higher priority by Government, businesses and wider society to help older people. Searching online
will produce many organisations dedicated to youth enterprise; however there is not the same
amount of support for older people.”
“We would like to see the Government encourage enterprise across all ages, including access to
funding, advice, mentoring, incentives and support mechanisms. Too many initiatives from
Westminster have a bias towards younger people; older people need support too especially as they
are the ones driving business creation.”
“Businesses also need to provide better education specific to older workers, such as training in
digital services to serve them better in the modern workplace and better prepare them if they were
to venture on their own. Businesses should also be better educated on how to provide advice post?
redundancy, so older people can explore all options.”
“The UK continues to discriminate against the over 50s in the workplace. We’re discarding an
invaluable resource, and as the population ages, we’re putting an unfair burden on those aged
between 20 and 50, which is short?sighted given that a large number of older workers want to and
can make a significant contribution to the economy.”
NACUE
“The National Association of College and University Entrepreneurs (NACUE) welcomes the
opportunity to submit our key asks of Government to the APPG for Micro Businesses and we are
pleased to see enterprise education featuring prominently on the Group’s agenda.”
“NACUE supports student enterprise societies nationwide to lead their peers towards greater
creativity, confidence and capability for their whole lives, and advocates improved access to
opportunities for enterprise for all students. We believe that young people, businesses and the
wider economy will benefit significantly from an education system that supports student enterprise
more proactively.”
“We strongly believe that in order to ensure the sustainability of the UK’s global competitiveness,
the Government must do more to equip students with the necessary skills needed to find successful
employment. This means investing in necessary enterprise skills that directly compliment academic
studies. As business leaders continue to call for students with more ‘functional’ skills, and with many
students continuing to remain under?employed, the Government must work with businesses and
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organisations like NACUE to create the right conditions for students to improve their chances of
becoming the business leaders of the future. In doing so, they would be creating healthy
competition nationally and internationally, making the UK a more attractive place for the brightest
minds across the world, and making savings to the public purse in the long term by creating jobs,
contributing more taxes, and increasing consumer spend.”
“Creating the right conditions for entrepreneurs to thrive in the UK will require a shift in the attitude
towards them. The UK should be following America’s lead on this to encourage enough confidence
leading to career paths in entrepreneurship becoming both a viable and desirable option. Building
this confidence would require a support structure consisting of tailored financial packages,
enterprise education at school, and peer?to?peer learning through enterprise societies as advocated
and delivered by NACUE. Some practical measures the Government might consider is providing
entrepreneurs with a ‘space to fail’ by making it easier to gain access to empty shops which can be
utilised as retail and office units for example.”
“To ensure sustainability and long?term commitment to the enterprise agenda, some specific areas
NACUE would like to see Government focusing on immediately are:
• The Department for Education and the department for Business, Innovation and Skills must
work together and with stakeholders such as NACUE and business partners, to shape and
embed enterprise education in to the curriculum at Key Stages 2, 3, and 4.
• At Key Stage 5, a well?publicised work experience scheme focussed on management skills
should be available to all students who wish to participate, within start ups and SMEs
specifically, with Government working with relevant stakeholders to facilitate a work
experience programme.
• Anecdotal evidence suggests that many new graduates who become entrepreneurs say that
they would benefit significantly from a mentor before and during the early years of their
business development. Government should work closely with organisations like NACUE who
can create and roll out a programme of this scale within FE and HE institutions.”
New Entrepreneurs Foundation
“The Global Entrepreneurship and Development Index (GEDI, 2012) ranked the UK 14
th
from the 79
countries benchmarked in terms of ‘Entrepreneurial Friendliness’. Amongst the key areas of
weaknesses identified were:
• Availability of knowledgeable ‘human capital’ and venture oriented professionals with start?
up skills,
• Ability of potential entrepreneurs to access and mobilize opportunities and resources
through networking,
• Entrepreneurs in the UK lacking the ambition to create high growth start?ups.”
“In 2010, the NEF identified a gap in the UK for joined?up entrepreneurial training and skills
development for young people leaving full time education.”
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“The NEF was set up to address a gap in the UK for the provision of a high quality entrepreneurial
training and skills development programme for talented and ambitious, young aspiring
entrepreneurs. This unique programme which is considered to be ‘Gold Standard’ by some of our
corporate sponsors and industry commentators is in its 4th year of operation with 92 candidates
either currently on the programme or are now alumni. The combination of a paid work placement,
training, business mentoring and personal coaching, and access to networks has been very
successful. Candidate feedback has been very positive, and we are starting to see a number of
ambitious new businesses emerging from the cohorts
282
.”
“The critical success factor of the NEF programme has been the active management and evaluation
of all aspects of the programme:
• The selection, matching and placement of candidates in host companies,
• The creation of the Fast?Track training programme,
• Constant evaluation of the content and delivery and of the selection of delivery partners,
• The selection and vetting of our business mentors and coaches by qualified senior
professionals,
• The development and delivery of regular networking events.
We have proven that this managed model of start?up skills development works on a small scale (we
take a maximum of 35 candidates each year), but we feel that it would work equally well on a
national scale. We recommend to the APPG for Micro Businesses that Government instigates a study
to evaluate the possibility of developing a Government?supported, National level programme: “The
National Entrepreneurs’ Academy” for the provision of entrepreneurial training and skills
development based on the NEF model. We believe that with appropriate adaptation, this model
would work for any group of people looking for entrepreneurial careers, from young people who
have just completed full time education to older people looking for second or third careers.
The National Entrepreneurs’ Academy (NEA)
“We suggest that the NEA should comprise the following elements of service provision:
1. A single place to find all the entrepreneurial programmes, training, funding, mentors and support
available at local, regional and national level. A sort of ‘Citizen’s Entrepreneurship Bureau’ which
would be a centrally managed online resource offering a one?stop shop for information. This should
be easily searchable by subject, geographical area, quality ratings from users and any other useful
criteria.
This addresses the current problem that there is too much disconnected information available
online: It is difficult to find quality information that has been vetted or verified. Further, much of it is
unstructured, so people find it difficult to see quickly if it is relevant for their situation or if the
services being offered are available in their area.
282 Candidate feedback and results to date is available
128
2. A series of regional ‘Entrepreneurs’ Academies’ based along the lines of the NEF model. These
regional academies should be based in cities that already have budding entrepreneurship
ecosystems (Edinburgh, Manchester, Cardiff, Oxford, Cambridge, Liverpool, Newcastle, Belfast and
other appropriate cities) but these academies would work on a centrally agreed set of quality,
delivery and impact measurement principles. The regional academies would run 6 initiatives:
• Recruit and select the best candidates for their programme,
• Recruit local companies as host companies for work placements and manage/monitor the
process throughout,
• Develop partnerships with local/regional universities and specialist providers in their area to
deliver the Fast?Track Training Programme,
• Recruit and vet local professional coaches and manage the coaching programme,
• Recruit and vet local business mentors and manage the mentoring programme,
• Organise regular networking events in their local areas to create a strong entrepreneur
support ecosystem”.
“This addresses the current problems mentioned earlier in this note about managing the quality of
training, mentoring and coaching as well as the issue of clear impact measures for each regional
centre. It also enables a centrally overseen programme to be adapted for regional and local needs,
and allows innovation and new ideas to emerge.”
“A regional model will also encourage and enable corporates and local companies to tap into an
entrepreneurial talent pool and could also enable match funding for the programme from these
companies.
3. The NEA should also have a role in joining up initiatives throughout the entrepreneurial journey.
So, for example, encouraging formal partnerships with local start?up accelerators, funding initiatives,
sector specific start?up incubators, work placement schemes and business support organisations.”
The Prince’s Trust Enterprise Programme
“The Prince’s Trust offer an Explore Enterprise course to learn what’s involved in planning and
running a business using practical, interactive and visual based teaching methods and activities
rather than academic study. The staff run through individuals’ goals, motivations and experience
before teaching skills in marketing and money management. Often an inspirational speaker is
present in order to engage the young people and share best practice with them. Finally, staff run
through how to write and approach a business plan and taking the next steps which is the point
when the young person is assigned a business mentor.”
“Our business mentors offer vital support to our young people helping them choose the right option
for them, plan for their next steps and often provide specialist knowledge built from their experience
in business. Our young people are offered up to eight hours of one to one support they can access
for up to a year, the meetings are arranged at a time that suits them and they are both encouraged
and supported to plan in between sessions in order to move their business plan forward:
129
“My business mentor has been brilliant, she has made me think about key things that may make or
break my business. She has a wealth of knowledge I can tap into, there have been many times I’ve
had queries or questions, she can answer them or if she can’t, she knows someone that can. But
most of all she has given me the support and confidence to write my business plan and push I
needed to launch my business.”
“The Prince’s Trust gave me the tools I needed to take the first steps in business, while giving me the
advice and support I needed to turn my life around.”
“With The Prince’s Trust I realised there were people who cared about me, and my life changed
beyond all recognition. There is no way I would have achieved what I have without their support.”
Which key groups may need additional assistance?
“Young people from disadvantaged backgrounds can often include those who have spent time in
care, those who have backgrounds of offending, those with learning disabilities, those with mental
health issues, and lone parents. They have often underachieved at school and have experienced
long?term unemployment. With backgrounds like these, it can be a struggle to compete in the job
market, especially at a time of high youth unemployment. The chance to explore setting up their
own business, therefore, can be a lifeline for those who show the determination and ability to
succeed.”
“However, younger people may well need more guidance and more of a nudge to pursue their
business ideas. Those with few qualifications and ex?offenders are likely to need more support.”
“Working with ex?offenders is not easy and business survival rates may be low, but the potential
rewards are greater.”
“What barriers exist, which prevent these individuals from engaging in enterprise education
opportunities?”
“A lack of finance is one of the biggest barriers to starting a business for young people. The young
people The Prince’s Trust works with are highly unlikely to have any savings, and will therefore rely
on a combination of the low interest loans (if they can find one), early income generated from the
business (assuming there would be some), pay from other employment (should they have time for
another job) and support from benefits in order to meet the costs of day?to?day living, whilst seeking
to maintain and grow their business.”
“Our alumni of businesses we helped to set up have told us how much of a lifeline the financial
support they received from Working Tax Credits and Housing Benefit was in their early stages of
business. Without this support, many of them doubt they would have been able to succeed.”
“We therefore believe it is critical that the DWP continues to support unemployed turned self?
employed people whilst they build their income, but to some extent this is under threat with the
introduction of a one year start?up period under Universal Credit, which we believe to be too short.”
130
“There is a danger that the inspiration from enterprise education could be lost if the DWP does not
enable people in disadvantaged circumstances to move into self?employment.”
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Full List of Contributors
The authors would like to thank the following people who have been contributors to our review over
the past 14 months. They have provided excellent information, passed on contacts and perhaps
more importantly, been honest sounding boards for many of our thoughts and ideas.
Abdul Khan? Pass the Popcorn
Alex Jackman? Forum of Provide Business
Alice Barnard? Peter Jones Foundation
Alice Bentinck? Entrepreneur First
Alison Mitchell – Vitae
Alison Williams ? Craigfelen Primary School
Andrew Bernard? Innovative Enterprise
Becky Mollart ? Ready Unlimited
Brian Clements – University of Wolverhampton (ret)
Carl Gilliard – Association of Graduate Recruiters (ret)
Catherine Brentnall – Ready Unlimited
Charles Cracknell – City Youth Enterprise, Hull
Claire Young – Inspiring Through Business
Corina Edwards – Swansea University
Courtney Turner? The Princes Trust
Dave Jarman – EEUK and University of Bristol
David Frost – Local Enterprise Partnerships
Dawn Whitley? National Enterprise Network
Denise Ramsay ? UnLtd
Dr, Catherine Bushell – Cardiff University
Dr. Bryan Mills – Cornwall College
Dr. Colin Jones – University of Tasmania
Dr. Jenny Moore – Exeter University
Dr. Laura Bellingham – Quality Assurance Agency
Dr. Paul Jones – Plymouth University
Dr. Rita Klapper – University of Huddersfield
Dr. Shima Barakat – University of Cambridge
Dr. Simon Brown – NCEE / Plymouth University
Drew Ellis? Like Minds
Efka Heder – South East Europe Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning
Elin McCallum – European Commission
Ernestina Hall? Virgin Media Pioneers
Fiona Godsman – Scottish Institute for Enterprise
Fionnuala Horrocks? Burns? Forum of Private Business
Fiorina Mugione – United Nations Conference for Trade and Development
Gareth Trainer – AGCAS / Newcastle University
Gary Durbin? Enterprise Village
Graeme Fisher? Federation of Small Businesses
Hazel Israel – DfES (Wales)
132
Heidi Griffiths – Lola and Me
Helen Beardmore? Peter Jones Foundation
Hushpreet Dhaliwal? NACUE
Ivan Diego – Valnalon Tech City
Jacob Hill? The Lazy Camper
Jaquie Coates – ABM University Trust
Jenny McDowell? Lloyds Bank
Joanna Montgomery? Little Riot
John Bound – Fuel, Royal College of Art / Innovation RCA
John Wastnage? British Chambers of Commerce
Jon Dawkins – Dirty Little Serifs
Julie Derek? Invicta Grammar School
Karl Loudon ? TRW ? The Mubaloo Group
Kate Beresford – Enterprise Educators UK
Kathie Willis? BEST Project New Zealand
Kathryn Penaluna – University of Wales, Trinity Saint David
Keith Burnley ? National Centre for Entrepreneurship in Education
Leigh Sear – SFEDI
Lindsay Owen? The Princes Trust
Lynne Pepper ? Herringthorpe Infants School
Malcolm Hoare – University of Warwick
Marcel Ciantar? Budmouth College
Marianna Lemus – Young Enterprise
Martin Lackéus – Chalmers University
Matt Smith ? Centre for Entrepreneurs
Maureen Tibby – Higher Education Academy
Michael Hayman – Seven Hills/ Start?Up Britain
Michael Mercieca? Young Enterprise
Mike Day – Building Enterprise Education in Swansea
Nathan Hardwick? SFEDI
Neeta Patel? New Entrepreneurs Foundation
Neil Coles – Cardiff University
Nieema Alom? NACUE
Nikki Hesford? Made in Preston
Ochuko Adekoya? Business in the Community
Paul Blackmore – University of Exeter
Peter Harrington? Simventure
Peter Holbrook? Social Enterprise Coalition
Phil Ely –University of Portsmouth
Prof. Alison Price – National Centre for Entrepreneurship in Education
Prof. Allan Gibb – Durham University (Emeritus)
Prof. Collette Henry –Tromsø University Business School
Prof. David Gibson – Sunderland University
Prof. David Kirby – British University in Cairo
Prof. David Rae – University of Lincoln
133
Prof. Harry Matlay – University of the West of Scotland
Prof. Heinz Klandt ? European Business School
Prof. John Kounios ? Drexel University
Prof. John Thompson – Huddersfield University / Anglia Ruskin University
Prof. Julian Beer? Plymouth University
Prof. Lester Lloyd?Reason – Anglia Ruskin University
Prof. Luke Pittaway – Ohio University
Prof. Mark Beeman – Northwestern University
Prof. Nigel Lockett – University of Leeds
Prof. Radmil Polenakovik ? Ss. Cyril and Methodius University
Prof. Saras Sarasvathy – University of Virginia
Prof. Simon Bridge – University of Ulster
Prof. Steve Blank ? E.piphany / Stanford University
Reuben Saxon? Youth Business International
Richard Atfield – Higher Education Academy
Rob Pearsall? Plymstock School
Robert Caniff – BIS
Robert Moon – University of Derby
Ronke Ige? Emi and Ben
Ruth Lowbridge? SFEDI
Sara Higham? Federation of Small Businesses
Simon Barker? Radfan
Simone Baldassarri – European Commission
Sir Tim Wilson – University of Hertfordshire (ret)
Stefan Topfer? Winweb
Stephen Pegge? Lloyds Bank
Steve Metcalfe? Youth Business International
Sue Poole – Gower College
Thom Kenrick? RBS Group
Till Leopold – United Nations Conference for Trade and Development
Tim Brown ? IDEO
Tina Boden? Enterprise Rockers
Tom Williamson – EEUK and Coventry University
Tony Gribben – European Training Foundation
Tony Robinson? Enterprise Rockers
Vaughan Davies – Monmouth Comprehensive School
Vic Curtis – University of Derby
Zoe Jackson? Living the Dream
Joan Young– Netherhall Learning Campus (Kirklees Creative Media Studio School)
134
Useful Links
Business in the Community? www.bitc.org.uk
Enterprise Educators? www.enterprise.ac.uk
Enterprise Rockers? www.enterpriserockers.co.uk
Entrepreneur First? www.entrepreneurfirst.org.uk
Federation of Small Businesses? www.fsb.org.uk
Forum of Private Businesses? www.fpb.org
Institute of Small Business and Entrepreneurship? www.isbe.org.uk
NACUE? www.nacue.com
National Enterprise Network? www.nationalenterprisenetwork.org
New Entrepreneurs Foundation? www.newentrepreneursfoundation.com
Peter Jones Enterprise Academy? www.pjea.org.uk
PRIME? www.prime.org.uk
RBS Inspiring Enterprise? www.inspiringenterprise.rbs.com
School for Start Ups? www.schoolforstartups.co.uk
SFEDI? www.sfedi.co.uk
The Gazelle Colleges Group? www.thegazellegroup.com
The Princes trust? www.princestrust.org.uk
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development? www.unctad.org
UnLtd? www.unltd.org.uk
Virgin Media Pioneers? www.virginmediapioneers.com
Young Enterprise? www.youngenterprise.org.uk
135
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doc_566397038.pdf
In such a detailed elucidation relating to an education system fit for an entrepreneur.
All?Party Parliamentary
Group for Micro Businesses
February 2014
An Education System fit
for an Entrepreneur
Fifth Report by the All?Party Parliamentary
Group for Micro Businesses
Any enquiries regarding this publication should be sent to us at APPG for Micro Businesses, c/o Anne Marie Morris MP,
House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA
Printed by The Stationery Office Limited
2/14 37042 19585
Contents
Foreword by Anne Marie Morris MP...................................................................................................... 1
Foreword by Matthew Hancock MP – Minister of State (Skills and Enterprise) .................................... 3
Foreword by Fiorina Mugione, Chief, Entrepreneurship Section, Enterprise Development Branch,
Division on Investment and Enterprise, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
(UNCTAD) ................................................................................................................................................ 4
Author Biographies ................................................................................................................................. 5
1. Executive Summary of Findings ..................................................................................................... 8
2. Introduction? Enterprise and Entrepreneurship ............................................................................ 9
3. The Landscape – From Universities to Schools ............................................................................ 19
4. Primary School Experience........................................................................................................... 30
Case Study 1 ? Herringthorpe Infant School, Rotherham................................................................................. 31
Case Study 2 ? Hull ? Primary School Engagement in Global Enterprise Week ................................................ 33
Case Study 3 ? Craigfelen Primary School, Swansea, Wales............................................................................. 35
Case Study 4 ? Innovative Enterprise, Enterprise Soapbox (Commercial Product).......................................... 36
Case Study 5 ? (International) ? Building Enterprising Students Today (BEST) Project, New Zealand.............. 37
5. Secondary School Experience....................................................................................................... 39
Case Study 6 ? The Gazelle Colleges Group Schools Initiative.......................................................................... 43
Case Study 7 ? Business Studies Teacher, North East England......................................................................... 45
Case Study 8 ? Julie Derrick, Headteacher, Invicta Grammar School, Kent...................................................... 46
Case Study 9 ? Our Way, Plymstock School...................................................................................................... 49
Case Study 10 ? Studio Schools ........................................................................................................................ 50
Case Study 11 ? Monmouth Comprehensive School........................................................................................ 54
6. University and Colleges Role........................................................................................................ 57
Case Study 12 ? Gower College, Swansea; Sue Poole ...................................................................................... 78
Case Study 13 ? National Enterprise Educator 2013; Neil Coles ...................................................................... 79
Case Study 14 ? Manchester Met University.................................................................................................... 80
7. Role of the Business Community in Enterprise Education........................................................... 81
Case Study 15 ? Lloyds Bank Enterprise Mentoring: The Road to Economic Recovery.................................... 86
Case Study 16 ? Business in the Community (BITC) Case Study ....................................................................... 87
Case Study 17 ? Gazelle Colleges Group........................................................................................................... 90
Case Study 18 ? Enterprise Rockers.................................................................................................................. 90
8. Perspectives From Entrepreneurs................................................................................................ 92
Case Study 19 ? Opinion? Zoe Jackson, Living the Dream ................................................................................ 97
Case Study 20 ? Peter Harrington, Simventure ................................................................................................ 98
Case Study 21 ? Stephen Topfer, Founder, Winweb........................................................................................ 99
Case Study 22 ? PRIME ................................................................................................................................... 100
9. Conclusions and Recommendations .......................................................................................... 102
Appendix ? Full Contributions ............................................................................................................. 107
Appendix 1? Contributions From Entrepreneurs ................................................................................ 107
Zoe Jackson, Living the Dream....................................................................................................................... 107
Nikki Hesford, Made in Preston..................................................................................................................... 107
Jacob Hill, The Lazy Camper........................................................................................................................... 109
Peter Harrington, Founder, Simventure ........................................................................................................ 110
Drew Ellis, Founder, Like Minds..................................................................................................................... 111
Simon Barker, Founder, Radfan..................................................................................................................... 112
Joanna Montgomery, Founder, Little Riot ..................................................................................................... 113
Stephen Topfer, Founder, Winweb................................................................................................................ 113
Abdul Khan, Founder, Pass The Popcorn....................................................................................................... 114
Ronke Ige, Founder Emi and Ben................................................................................................................... 114
Appendix 2? Contributions From Agencies and Support Organisations ............................................. 116
Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative (SFEDI) ................................................................................. 116
National Enterprise Network ......................................................................................................................... 118
Forum of Private Business ............................................................................................................................. 119
Federation of Small Business ......................................................................................................................... 120
Business in the Community (BITC) ................................................................................................................. 122
Gazelle College Group.................................................................................................................................... 123
PRIME............................................................................................................................................................. 124
NACUE............................................................................................................................................................ 125
New Entrepreneurs Foundation .................................................................................................................... 126
The National Entrepreneurs’ Academy (NEA)................................................................................................ 127
The Prince’s Trust Enterprise Programme ..................................................................................................... 128
Full List of Contributors....................................................................................................................... 131
Useful Links ......................................................................................................................................... 134
Bibliography ........................................................................................................................................ 135
1
Foreword by Anne Marie Morris MP
I am delighted to see this much needed report see the light of day, providing, as it does for the first
time, an overview of enterprise education from the age of 4 to 44 and beyond. New small start?up
businesses are the lifeblood of our society – and most importantly our economy. I recently met a 9
year old who had just set up his own businesses. He said:”teachers just don’t get it”. Of course, many
do and there are some fabulous examples of best practice out there. But we don’t all know about it
and we don’t leverage it.
As founder and co chairman of the All?Party Group for Micro Businesses, I very much hope this, the
fifth report from this cross?party parliamentary group, makes its mark as a valuable contribution to
the debate and encourages Government to create a cohesive strategy for enterprise and
entrepreneurship education from primary school years through to retirement. This is not just a
matter for the Departments of Education and of Business Innovation and Skills. Success will mean a
culture change across all Government departments.
This report makes a number of recommendations, but key must be clarity of definition of enterprise
education, a review of the curriculum and mandatory inclusion of enterprise education throughout.
Delivering change will also require new approaches to teacher training and from OFSTED (including a
new measure of business engagement quite separate from the measure of community engagement)
and a change in the UUK, HEFCE and HE support mechanisms ? to require recipient bodies to offer an
at least optional module on entrepreneurship available to all disciplines; all students are encouraged
to consider themselves as enterprising individuals with the capacity for business start?up if they
choose to do so. Evidence would suggest that entrepreneurs do not for the most part come from
business schools, but from a variety of disciplines. This needs to be further researched and
understood.
A working group needs to be established between the Gazelle Colleges Group, universities and
business schools alongside the CBI, FSB, SFEDI and other business groups to put forward proposals.
Integrating work experience, education and mentoring with some funding support seems to provide
the best starting point, and Government support schemes need to be re?evaluated with this in mind.
The challenge is leveraging best practice in an affordable and cost effective way. A separate group
needs to be established to look at work returners.
Without full engagement of the business community progress cannot be made. We recommend
every LEP Board has at least two members from the SME community and LEP applications for
Government funding, for example under the Regional Growth Fund, should require evidence of their
engagement with the enterprise education agenda. While economic conditions are challenging,
Government should consider allowing businesses to set off expenses incurred in engaging in
enterprise education against their tax bill. One reason SMEs don’t engage as much as larger
businesses is they can’t afford to.
Finally and most importantly, I should like to pay tribute to all of the many individuals and
organisations across both the education and business community that contributed to the research
which underpins these findings and in particular to Stu Anderson MBA at Blue Serac, Professor Nigel
2
Culkin at the University of Hertfordshire, Professor Andy Penaluna at the University of Wales, Trinity
St David and Dr. Kelly Smith at the University of Huddersfield. This report has taken many months of
hard work and much late night oil has been burned. We have painted a broad vision and set an
ambitious agenda for Government. I hope we have added something of value to the agenda for
change.
Anne Marie Morris MP
Small Business Ambassador (South West)
Founder and Co Chair of All?Party Parliamentary Group for Micro Businesses
Conservative for Newton Abbott
February 2014
3
Foreword by Matthew Hancock MP – Minister of State
(Skills and Enterprise)
“Since it was formed in February 2011, the APPG on Micro Businesses has carried out excellent work,
looking at ways that Government can support small businesses.
Small and micro businesses are the lifeblood of the economy, and the APPG’s latest report is very
welcome. Every town, village and city in Britain has small firms run by enterprising and hardworking
people. This report looks at ways that we can use education to encourage others to think about
turning their talent and energy to building up a business. We should be backing them every step of
the way, right the way through the education system and beyond.
More small businesses, creating more jobs, are a vital part of a long?term plan for Britain’s future.
The Government welcomes the ideas put forward in this report, and will consider them in due
course. I would also like to thank Anne Marie Morris MP and the APPG for its valuable contribution
to boosting the economy of UK PLC.”
Matthew Hancock MP
4
Foreword by Fiorina Mugione, Chief, Entrepreneurship
Section, Enterprise Development Branch, Division on
Investment and Enterprise, United Nations Conference on
Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
"Changing mindsets and developing entrepreneurship requires an holistic approach. I commend this
document in its efforts to generate consensus for embedding entrepreneurship education at all
levels in the UK. This report fully reflects UNCTAD's Entrepreneurship Policy Framework Guidance".
Fiorina Mugione
5
Author Biographies
Stu Anderson MBA
Stu is a recognised expert on enterprise, business start?up and entrepreneurship and a well known
advocate in the UK’s enterprise and micro business sector.
His experience lies in working with organisations supporting entrepreneurs including the United
Nations, the EU and some of the UK’s biggest corporate names. His work has spanned the top level
of both the private and public sector in the UK working with various stakeholders such as Ministers,
Parliamentarians and CEOs on projects and policy. He was Executive Director of Shell LiveWIRE
before starting his own consultancy, Blue Serac (www.blueserac.com) last year. He was a co?founder
of the National Working Group for Youth Enterprise, is a member of the advisory board to the All?
Party Parliamentary Group on Entrepreneurship, a member of the ministerial ambassador group for
Global Entrepreneurship Week, a member of the Courvoisier Future 500, a Fellow of the Royal
Society of Arts, and serves as a member of the sub?committee of the All?Party Parliamentary Group
for Micro Businesses.
Stu has been involved in the sector for 20 years, with experience of advising over 2000 micro
business and small business start?ups. In addition, he is a part?time doctoral student researching the
perceptions and motivations of graduates in micro firms at Newcastle University. He has a long
history of living and working in the North East and now lives in Cornwall.
He has been a non?executive director of a number of organisations including the Institute of Small
Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE), the Union Society of Newcastle University and an advisory
board member to SFEDI and the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs. He holds an MBA and PG
Cert in Research Practice from Newcastle University.
Professor Nigel Culkin
Nigel Culkin is founding Director, Group for Research for Innovation and Enterprise (GRIE) and a
Senior Academic Manager at the University of Hertfordshire (UH). Over the past twelve years, he has
attracted, in excess of €24M investment to help implement the University’s Enterprise Strategy,
which has created or sustained over 75 enterprise posts at UH.
His impact on learning and teaching of enterprise has resulted in levels of student engagement in
enterprise approaching 70% across the university against average UK engagement levels of 16% and
24% across Europe.
He was awarded the title of Enterprise Educator at the UK National Enterprise Educator Awards in
2012 and in the same year was elected to the post of Deputy?President at the Institute for Small
Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE). He was Track Chair (Business Creation, Resource Acquisition
and Closure) for the 36th ISBE Conference Escape Velocity: Internationalising Small Business
Environments (ISBE, 2013)
6
Nigel currently serves as a member of sub?committee of the All?Party Parliamentary Group for Micro
Businesses in the House of Commons. Most recently, he was appointed Chair of the HEI Working
Group, supporting the Prime Minister’s, Enterprise Adviser Lord Young, with his forthcoming Review
of Enterprise Education (due to be published in May 2014).
Nigel is rightly acknowledged as an expert in the field of Enterprise Education. He is a member of the
Editorial Board of three ‘Enterprise?facing’ journals (incl. International Journal of Gender and
Entrepreneurship). He has published widely in the areas of enterprise education, small business
leadership and graduate and creative entrepreneurship, as well as completing projects for UK and
overseas Government agencies, large multinational organisations and Research Councils. Finally,
Nigel is also a Non?Executive Director on a number of high?technology early?stage ventures.
Professor Andy Penaluna
Andy Penaluna is Professor of Creative Entrepreneurship at the University of Wales, Trinity Saint
David (UWTSD) (formerly Swansea Metropolitan University). He has worked in Further and Higher
Education for over 30 years and first introduced enterprise into the curriculum in 1987. For the past
four years he has helped to develop and contribute to teacher education; his University has the UK’s
first fully validated PGCE / PCET module in entrepreneurship education.
As a designer who moved into teaching within business schools, following experience of running his
own enterprises, Andy teaches both creativity for businesses and business for creatives. He now
works closely with Welsh and UK Governments and also advises the European Commission and the
United Nations Conference for Trade and Development on enterprise education policy. As former
Chair of Enterprise Educators UK, the HEA’s Entrepreneurial Learning Group and the QAA’s
enterprise guidance team, he has authored and co?authored a series of papers and reports relating
to the teaching of entrepreneurship and enterprise.
Andy’s other roles include a Distinguished Visiting Professorship at the American University in Cairo,
a Visiting Professorship at the University of Leeds, and a Visiting Business Fellow / Advisor to the
Royal College of Art's professional development service for innovation ? ‘FuelRCA’. He also sits on the
Advisory Board of the Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative (SFEDI), the Government?
recognised sector skills body for enterprise and enterprise support, and the Institute of Enterprise
and Entrepreneurs.
Andy always acknowledges the support of his past students, who consistently inform his teaching
and keep him up to date with recent developments.
Dr Kelly Smith
Kelly Smith is the Head of Enterprise and a Principle Enterprise Fellow at the University of
Huddersfield, the Times Higher Education University of the Year 2013 and Entrepreneurial University
of the Year 2012. Kelly manages the University’s Enterprise Team, helping students and graduates
explore self?employment and business and social enterprise start?up. She also leads Graduate
7
Entrepreneurship Project, an ERDF?funded collaboration of Yorkshire and the Humber’s 10
universities. Alongside her work on business start?up support, Kelly is a senior Business School
academic leading on the University’s new 2013?2018 Learning and Teaching strategy theme on
‘Enterprising Students’ with the aim to provide all students at the University with an enterprise
learning opportunity by 2018.
Kelly is a Trustee of the Institute of Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Previously, she was a
Board Member and Chair of Enterprise Educators UK (EEUK), the national network of enterprise and
entrepreneurship educators in higher education, and was one of the first 5 EEUK Life Fellows to be
announced.
Kelly has a strong interest in the use of learning technologies and social media to support enterprise
education and early stage business start?up, and has a reputation as one of the most influential
enterprise educators on Twitter. She has a record of conference presentation and journal
publications on a range of topics including engagement with graduate business start?up, enterprise
skills training for postgraduate research students, and use of learning technology. Kelly was a
member of the writing panel for the highly influential Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) guidance for
enterprise and entrepreneurship education.
8
1. Executive Summary of Findings
There is no doubt that there is no shortage of support in the UK today for those who want to set up
in business. However, the main findings of this report suggest there is still much to do to offer the
entrepreneurs in the UK the right support they so desperately need to help them thrive rather than
just survive. There are calls from many organisations and individuals involved in supporting
entrepreneurs to further collaborate and maximize the quality support available across the board.
Support of this type and breadth will ensure that the learning journey of budding entrepreneurs is
covered at all ages and abilities and becomes as seamless as possible ? but most importantly, starts
early.
This report examines “Enterprise Education’ at all levels and across a number of countries using a
mix of previous research, case study examples and direct input from those working with
entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs themselves. It looks beyond the traditional educational
establishments to a selection of support programmes, to provide a holistic view of what is offered,
and how businesses themselves engage in the process. Whilst there is a plethora of excellent work
going on in the UK to support entrepreneurs, on the whole the report finds the support disjointed
and in many cases removed from the educational establishments who ideally should be providing
the basis for young people to flourish in the modern world. Entrepreneurs in the report who were
asked what would work highlighted the need for a robust enterprise education at school. Many felt
this kind of education enabling economic activity in the modern world was lacking.
The report makes a number of recommendations. It calls for enterprise education to be mandatory
in the curriculum for 4 to 18 year olds, with the Government having an overarching strategy across
departments on enterprise education. In a similar vein, enterprise education needs to be offered
across all courses and levels of tertiary education to improve the number and quality of business
start?ups. To facilitate this, current Government support needs to be re?evaluated, and engagement
between education and the SME sector needs to be increased and incentivized. All young people in
the UK need to identify with businesses, but particularly the SME sector and to be able to experience
as far as possible what it is like to work in, or own a small business.
9
2. Introduction- Enterprise and Entrepreneurship
Colton’s 1990 definitions propose that;
“The major objectives of enterprise education are to develop enterprising people and inculcate an
attitude of self?reliance using appropriate learning processes. Entrepreneurship education and
training programmes are aimed directly at stimulating entrepreneurship which may be defined as
independent small business ownership or the development of opportunity?seeking managers
within companies.”
1
In recent years this distinction has been helpful, not least because it offers educators the
opportunity to make distinctions between the enterprising person and the entrepreneurial business
developer and leader, and in terms of this discussion, can also be seen as helpful because the
enterprising mind and associated characteristics or behaviours are a necessary precursor to
entrepreneurship.
There is no dispute as to the importance of enterprise, entrepreneurship and micro businesses in the
growth agenda for the UK. There can also be no doubt that creative enterprising minds are needed
when it comes to issues of social enterprise and sustainability. There has however been a lack of a
coherent strategy as to how our education system from primary through secondary, tertiary and
beyond (including mature returning workers programmes and part time courses) can support this
access through the right kind of learning strategies.
The 2001 Council for Excellence in Management and Leadership’s report and witness testimonies on
UK SME’s does not specifically state micro enterprises; however its report does include evidence
from both micro enterprises and entrepreneurs. The evidence from entrepreneurs emphasized the
need for people abilities, as did the evidence from the SMEs. Due to the richness and thoroughness
of the research key themes emerged, which remain extremely helpful. For example they state that:
“Clearly, just providing training in the technicalities of business planning and finance will not fulfil
the need.”
2
This people?centred approach presents significant learning challenges according to the research.
They see the role of Government to be the arbitrators of a centralized approach and facilitators who
are charged with the drawing of strands of expertise together. Hence in many ways this review is
responding to a proposal made in 2002.
The good news is that these strands exist, and enterprise and entrepreneurship education already
happens in patches, right the way from the age of 4 to adulthood. However they appear to have
evolved in a disjointed unsustainable way, and are often reliant on keen enthused individuals rather
than clear policy support. It is generally well recognised that any strategy on education must be
1 Colton, T. (1990). "Enterprise Education Experience. A Manual for School Based Inservice Training." SDEC.
2 Perren, L. and P. Grant (2001). Management and Leadership in UK SMEs: Witness Testimonies from the World of
Entrepreneurs and SME managers. Council for Excellence in Management and Leadership. London: Summary Page.
10
integrated into an overarching growth strategy involving not just DfE (Department for Education) but
also BIS (Department for Business, Innovation and Skills), DWP (Department for Work and Pensions),
DCLG (Department for Communities and Local Governments) and Treasury – to name but a few of
the Government’s key players. We are aware that BIS has led the charge on such an overarching
growth strategy and welcome its recent paper in June 2013 looking specifically at the impact of early
stage curriculum?based enterprise in higher and further education on the growth agenda
3
, but this is
just one piece of a journey. Some would argue intervention at the tertiary stage is already leaving it
too late – an opinion which may explain why the BIS report failed to find a correlation between
curriculum?based enterprise education and setting up an enterprise, especially as this is a
longitudinal goal that misses an important aspect – that of employment within micro enterprises.
We also need intrapreneurs who help to shape new business ventures, in addition to the start?up
entrepreneurs themselves
4
.
Whilst there have been a number of individual pieces of research looking at different aspects of the
educational path, no UK?based piece of work consolidates findings or charts progress from the age
of 4 through 18 to adult learners, especially when seen through the lens of an all?party perspective
and in the context of international developments. Consequently there have been no fully integrated
policy proposals from Government or to Government. Coherent and well informed personal
perspectives such as that from Jamie Mitchell in late 2013
5
go some way toward this by linking
enterprise with youth unemployment, however there is an emphasis on schooling, and international
perspectives are not considered.
Evidence is emerging to suggest that compulsory enterprise activities in schools impact on later
engagement in Further and Higher Education. However the wrong type of education, such as where
students talk about enterprise as opposed to actively engaging and developing their skills, may have
negative results. For example, recent research by academics from Nottingham and Essex was
presented to the Institute of Small Business and Entrepreneurship. This found that:
“School based enterprise education has a valuable role to play in creating the next generation
of entrepreneurs, but only in conjunction with other sources of training. It is important
therefore that policymakers continue to develop enterprise education at all levels, but its form
and structure needs to be appropriate. If the objective of enterprise education is to prepare
and encourage individuals to become entrepreneurs it appears a holistic view needs to be
taken to ensure that all components of the training play the relevant role, without which it is
likely that resources will be wasted.”
6
3 Williamson, N., Beadle, S and Charalambous, S (2013) Enterprise Education Impact in Higher Education and Further
Education (2013). Enterprise Education Impact in Higher Education and Further Education:. London, ICF GHK on behalf of
the Department for Business Innovation and Skills.
4 "intrapreneur, An employee given the freedom to work independently within a company with the objective of
introducing innovation to revitalize and diversify its business. n.". OED Online. December 2013. Oxford University Press. 4
February 2014 .
5 Mitchell, J. (2013). Enterprise and Youth Unemployment – The Hidden Opportunity: A Report to Labour’s Youth Jobs Task
Force. London.
6 Piers, T., B. Street and K. Kwong (2013). Compulsory School Based Enterprise Education as a Gateway to an
Entrepreneurial Career. Proceedings of the 35th International Conference of the Institute for Small Business and
Entrepreneurship, Cardiff.
11
This paper proposes to fill this gap and to provide policy recommendations based on an international
evidence base. We are not alone; this is an international agenda that many have already started to
address. Hence we decided to look outward as much as inward in our search for solutions. Many
organisations and bodies appear to concur, for example in evidence to this report David Frost, the
Chair of the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) network commented to us that:
“It is clear that a lack of employability skills is harming the ability of the young to enter the
workforce and being enterprising is seen as a necessity by business.
The business leaders on LEPS are showing a real interest in getting involved with schools to
provide effective work experience, showcase how modern business operates and to highlight
the importance of enterprise. They are now strongly engaged with both Further and Higher
Education as well as schools.”
7
Why does a holistic approach matter rather than looking piecemeal at each of primary, secondary
and tertiary education? We need to recognise that education is no longer linear driven by age –
although at first sight it may appear so. School Federations and Academy groupings have blurred
the gap between primary and secondary school education.
8
University Technical Colleges and Studio
Schools have blurred the divide between education and work and thrown out of the window the
“16” transition age in our linear education system. These provide education from the age of 14 to 18
fully integrated into the world of work. Gazelle colleges
9
teach enterprise so that those leaving them
are able to and do establish their own businesses on leaving, but how could this experience inform
other levels of education? How could the research?informed Higher Education community offer
insights into what might be needed in schools or colleges?
Education is now about high achievement and choice, with a variety of routes and timelines for
achievement – with a hard steel core of academic attainment running through it. Education is
modular with individuals making the best choices to suit their abilities. Not only therefore is our
education not linear – but neither is the point of engagement with the world of work. Understanding
how learners learn provides us with evidence that enterprise and entrepreneurship need to be
engrained and taught early and in a sustainable way so that children are well prepared to make the
most of the opportunities ? whenever they occur.
Any educator aims to ensure that the assessment that they undertake with learners is meaningful
within the context and nature of the challenge. For example, writing an essay about riding a bike
might help the writer to understand and talk about the process, but is unlikely to develop all the
skills needed for the actual task of riding a bike, which can only be evaluated through actual
demonstration. The same argument applies to most educational evaluations and assessments, but
the argument is often negated by the need to have more easily measured outputs that can be
assessed and processed more readily by the teacher. Additionally, such measurements can easily be
compared and contrasted, thus making standardisation and target meeting a much easier
proposition. Unfortunately, it also filters out some of the very attributes that we wish to develop.
7 Correspondence from David Frost – Chair of the Local Enterprise Partnership network.
8http://www.education.gov.uk/b00229234/becoming?an?academy
9http://www.gazellecolleges.com
12
In 2005 the US National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE
10
) commissioned a paper
entitled ‘The Sources of Innovation and Creativity’. Part of their discussion critiques the ‘standard’
tools that we employ in education, for example reward mechanisms for getting things 100% correct
and the lack of motivation derived from assessment that is not fully understood by the learner. Their
recommendations included redesigning curricula to take account of what they describe as
‘successful intelligence’ ? through an understanding as to how the creative mind worked and the
development of motivational problem?driven assignments. Games and play, understanding the
inherent problems of teaching to the test and an increase in interdisciplinary learning all feature as
solutions in their recommendations. Perhaps most pertinent however is the emphasis they place on
promoting the integration of entrepreneurship into junior high and high school, simply because it
helps pupils to understand if entrepreneurialism is right for them.
11
The message here is clear – if pupils do not experience entrepreneurial learning, then how can they
make meaningful choices as to whether or not it suits them as an individual?
“…the disjoint between the education system and the business community is exacerbated by a
lack of a duty on schools to provide enterprise education and work? related learning. That is a
large reason why the FSB has chosen to support Young Enterprise as its charity for the next
three years – to play our part in bridging this gap.”
12
Thus the importance of understanding what performance indicators can be meaningfully evaluated
or measured following a programme of entrepreneurial learning cannot be understated. The
OECD
13
conducted a survey in 2009 and found that entrepreneurial education programs aim to
generate not only ‘hard’ outputs that are relatively easy to measure, for example a business plan or
a survey ‘about’ past events in entrepreneurship, but they also consider important ‘soft’ outputs
such as a shift in attitude towards future visioning skills and an ability to evaluate opportunities
when not all the data or information is available. These ‘soft’ results such as changes in attitudes and
mindset, including innovative ways of working, do not align with traditional output?related
performance indicators.
For example, if an educator unfamiliar with this territory sets an assignment with a known and
carefully specified outcome, they may inadvertently be limiting the learner’s opportunity to look to
alternative solutions and to find new ways of solving problems. More importantly, any educational
assessment will be measuring against the educator’s capacity to visualise the solution – not the
learner’s. The result may be easy to measure, but will most likely be lacking in important types of
thinking ? such as seeing alternative solutions or possibly recognising and considering a deeper
problem that underlies the problem presented. Henry Ford’s response of “If I asked people what
they wanted they would have said faster horses” typifies this perspective.
10 Please note that the US National Center on Education and the Economy and the UK’s National Centre for
Entrepreneurship in Education are two distinct and different bodies.
11 Adams, K. (2005). New York, National Center on Education and the Economy for the new Commission on the Skills of the
American Workforce.
12 Federation of Small Businesses (2014). Small Business and Government: Delivering Enterprise, Growth and Skills. Policy
Conference Brochure.
13 GHK: (2011). Order 121 ? Study on Support to Indicators on Entrepreneurship Education.
13
The value of current knowledge and its delivery has to be questionable in an environment where
change occurs at great pace and the ability to harvest knowledge as and when needed becomes
more important than being reliant on the recollection of facts and figures. This adds a new
dimension to any entrepreneurship?related educational debate. Simply put, what is a correct
solution today may not be a successful solution tomorrow. In this complex learning environment,
despite the abundance of information, processing it and linking and connecting becomes the
imperative, not merely recalling it. ‘Self Efficacy’, for example the confidence to try something out
and to survive repeated failures, is often as reliant on motivational drivers as it is knowledge.
Understanding these issues is at the very centre of entrepreneurial learning. As Shima Barakat of the
University of Cambridge’s Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning explains:
“What is needed is a more sophisticated understanding of the impact of the differing
pedagogical approaches... We argue that self?efficacy provides a robust and legitimate
construct that can be used for the design and the evaluation of entrepreneurship education in
all its forms and guises which allows for a blend of approaches as it addresses the outcomes of
the education independent of pedagogical method. This approach supports inter?programme
comparison and thereby can be usefully employed in the assessment of return on investment
to institutions and society and ultimately the future resourcing of programmes.
…Entrepreneurial Self?Efficacy (ESE) can be simply understood as a person’s belief in their own
ability to undertake actions that relate specifically to being entrepreneurial… The reason that
ESE is used is that it has been positively correlated with entrepreneurial intention, resilience,
future activity and performance which make it both an excellent outcome objective for
Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Education (EEE) and an excellent outcome measure.”
14
Experts such as psychologist Theresa Amabile are well versed in these kinds of argument, and
question some of the institutionalisation that we see in modern teaching systems, asking us to check
what we are doing in terms of motivational activities such as being creative and trying new things
out for ourselves.
“Creativity is undermined unintentionally every day in work environments that were
established for entirely good reasons to maximize business imperatives such as coordination,
productivity, and control… in working toward these imperatives, they may be inadvertently
designing organizations that systematically crushes creativity.”
15
Other metrics and assumptions may also need to be challenged. For example Goleman’s research
with in excess of 200 companies in 2004 concluded that emotional intelligence proved twice as
important for determining success as IQ and technical skills.
16
Lombardo and Roddy’s 2011 study for
14 Extracted from evidence supplied by Dr Shima Barakat, University of Cambridge, Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning
15 Amabile, T. (1997). "How to Kill Creativity." Harvard Business Review: 77.
16 Goleman, D. (2004). "What makes a leader?" Ibid. 82(1): 82?91.
14
IBM involved 1500 CEO’s and identified creativity as the most important leadership quality for
dealing with our increasingly complex world.
17
Themes such as developing autonomy and independent thought feature strongly in these types of
discussions, and being ‘absolutely right’ seems less valuable once it is realized that without new
ideas, and arguably many of them, an entrepreneur loses one of their most potent resources. This
observation also rings true in UK?based research that considered the innovative success of
management training by surveying over 850 members of the Chartered Management Institute. The
findings indicated that while management training was good for developing skills in evaluating ideas,
it was shown to be extremely poor in terms of developing new ideas. Only 4% of respondents felt
that innovation was ‘not at all’ or ‘not very’ important, thus emphasizing the need for innovation.
The concluding remarks note that, “leadership or management training was not found in this
analysis to be a good predictor of levels of idea generation… Arguably, leadership and management
training has a greater impact on the implementation of ideas than on their generation.”
18
It is understandable that any entrepreneur or business person needs to understand finance to
survive, or to at least have a friend or colleague who can advise them. We also know that being able
to connect with people and being able to draw upon a range of alternative ideas helps the
entrepreneur to see things in different ways and to seize upon opportunity, and that it is this ability
to see new opportunities and to grasp them which makes entrepreneurs distinct from more
traditional business owners. Thus networking skills and communication skills take centre stage.
To take this a step further, if something is new and surprising, justifying finance and justifying
support becomes an even more important aspect of communication. Organisations such as the
Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) and the CBI always rank communication skills as being
important in any employability or enterprise?related agenda, and as the CBI state:
“Employability covers a broad range of non?academic or softer skills and abilities which are of
value in the workplace. It includes the ability to work in a team; a willingness to demonstrate
initiative and original thought; self?discipline in starting and completing tasks to deadline.”
19
In a keynote speech, Carl Gilliard of the AGR pointed out to delegates at Exeter University’s 2013
staff development event on employability and enterprise that teamwork, problem solving,
communication, as well as self?management, served both agendas well.
20
The University’s
innovations and responses to these understandings were one reason why AGR awarded them the
coveted ‘Best Entrant Overall’ Blue Ribbon Award in 2012, the first University ever to receive it.
21
17 Lombardo, B., J and R. D. J (2011). Cultivating Organizational Creativity in an Age of Complexity. Somers, NY, IBM
Institute for Business Value.
18 Patterson, F. K., M. (2009). Innovation for the recovery: Enhancing innovative working practices. London, Chartered
Management Institute.
19 See:http://www.cbi.org.uk/business?issues/education?and?skills/in?focus/employability
20http://as.exeter.ac.uk/educationconference13/keynotepresentationsandresources
21http://www.agr.org.uk/Press?Releases/AGR?announces?2012?award?winners?#.UrQX9JXwefQ
15
So, in terms of micro enterprises and entrepreneurship education what can we learn from such
observations? What aptitudes, mindsets and skills are we seeking to engender? Perhaps more
importantly, why hasn’t this happened and where are the barriers to development?
Whilst it is far from simple territory and therefore potentially difficult to navigate in specialist
literature, recent developments in understanding brain functionality can offer some important
insights.
We know that learning never stops as the brain continuously reinvents itself, and we also know that
parts that fall into disuse eventually get ‘pruned’, primarily because the brain doesn’t wish to waste
resources on elements that are not used. In many ways this mirrors the approaches that were
attributed to advertising agent E St Elmo Lewis over 100 years ago. His ‘AIDA’ strategy for effective
advertising is intended to sequentially develop attention, interest, desire and action. This can also be
argued as pertinent to educational contexts, as students who are not attentive are losing interest,
and their emotional desire to learn is reduced. Relevance is key; if it makes sense it is useful, and the
brain saves the connections it needs to ensure the link is recalled.
We must also be aware that a significant amount of brain growth happens before puberty sets in.
Post?puberty, the brain starts to protect the neural networks and cognitive processes that it has
invested a great deal of energy in creating. After this the brain is far more conservative in its
development, and stimuli take longer to impact on neurological growth.
22
Creativity, in very simple
terms, is the new connections that are made within the brain, and this is why younger people can be
more creative than older people – because they have the circuitry to try things out. Established
connections are like well?trodden pathways and help us to use intuition and to process important
information quickly. New paths, however, can easily be lost and forgotten and within seconds are
lost if not recorded or made relevant. Koestler clarifies this by explaining that originality has the aim
of breaking habitual thinking processes.
23
This reinforces the view that “We learn more by failed
experiments than from confirming ones”.
24
So how does this equate with what we do in education for innovation? The essential elements are
these: we need to permit failure (in the context of not always fulfilling anticipated responses and
considerations), let learners articulate why they failed, and above all, we need to give them
opportunity to suggest and argue many alternative solutions and not simply single answers.
There is another aspect to consider: ‘relaxed cognition’, is a type of thinking that can easily be
understood if we think about having a tense argument with someone, and then when relaxed at a
later juncture we suddenly find ourselves thinking of better and more constructive things that we
could have said. Research has shown that best ideas come when you are relaxed, with research
commentaries mentioning things like being in the shower or walking the dog. Learners need periods
22 For more in depth discussions see: Puk, T (2012) The influence of neurobiology on lifelong ecological literacy and
ecological consciousness, International Journal of Environmental and Science Education, 7 (1), 3?18. and Immordino?Yang,
M H and A. Damasio (2011) Learning Landscapes, Mind Brain and Education: Implications for Educators, Learning
Landscapes, 5 (1), 115?132.
23 Koestler, A. (1964). The Act of Creation. London, Hutchinson.
24 McWilliam, E. (2008). The Creative Workforce: How to launch young people into high?flying futures,. Sydney, University
of New South Wales Press Ltd.
16
of slow as well as pressurised learning.
25
There is a serious implication that we need to consider
here. Creativity days and occasional brainstorming exercises probably do very little to help to
develop long?term brain structuring.
Although we have found no similar investigations in the UK, it is useful to consider research that
indicates a significant decline in creative thinking scores in US schools. Using the Torrance Tests of
Creative Thinking (TTCT), and a sample of 272,599 pupils (kindergarten to fourth grade), evidence
suggests that the decline is steady and persistent. According to the authors this can be partially
correlated to the introduction of standardised testing and the limiting of the arts, coupled with
restricted playtime. These have negatively impacted on the teachers’ and pupils’ ability to think
creatively, imaginatively and flexibly.
26
Furthermore, UK researcher Craft suggests that:
“When it comes to creativity in schools in particular, the second half of the 20th century can
be seen as having experienced first a drought.”
27
Her comments reflect a period from 1989 when a standardized National Curriculum replaced a
predominantly child?centered approach. Other teacher training researchers assert that this demise
has been widely voiced but has received scant attention, possibly because:
“…the metric of evaluation has leant towards the reductionist and abstracted perspective that
can be easily measured and compared; it does not address the complexities of creative
individualized thought.”
28
The recent engagement with the theory of Effectuation has started to take this thinking into
account; it is less about long term planning, and more about creatively managing projects through
interim and ever?changing stages.
29
Herein lies another issue; if we deliver education in fixed pre?
planned steps and announce intentions beforehand, any learning evaluations will only be checking
against known knowledge and known timescales, which leads us to the next area to consider, that of
being flexible and adaptable in situations of ambiguity and risk.
In order to address this issue we must first become aware that analytical thinking and conceptual
thinking within educational experiences are quite different, though both are needed. Analysis needs:
“Ability to think logically, break things down, and recognise cause and effect” whilst conceptual
thinking requires an “Ability to see patterns and connections, even when a great deal of detail is
25 For more in depth discussions see: Fletcher, P C, Anderson, J M, Shanks, D R, Honey, R, Carpenter, T A, Donavan, T,
Papdakis, N and Bullmore E T (2001) Responses of the human frontal cortex to surprising events are predicted by formal
associative learning theory, Nature Neuroscience, 4 (10), 104?1048. Also: Kounios J, Frymiare, J L, Bowden, E M, Fleck, I,
Subramaniam, K, Parish Y B.
and Jung?Beeman, M (2006) The Prepared Mind: Neural Activity Prior to Problem Presentation Predicts Subsequent
Solution by Sudden Insight, Psychological Science, 17 (10), 882?890.
26 See: Kim, K. H. (2011). "The Creativity Crisis: The Decrease in Creative Thinking Score on the Torrance Tests of Creative
Thinking." Creativity Research Journal 23(4): 285?295.
27 Craft, A. (2008). Creativity in the school: from drought to tsunami.
28 Grainger, T., J. Barnes and S. Scoffham (2004). "A creative cocktail: creative teaching in initial teacher education."
Journal of Education for Teaching: International Research and Pedagogy 30(3): 243.
29Read, S., S. Sarasvathy, N. Dew, W. R and A.?V. Ohlsson (2011). Effectual Entrepreneurship. London, Routledge..
17
present”.
30
Therefore we come to realize that teachers “need the competencies to constantly
innovate and adapt”
31
so that they do not only teach the approach, they can demonstrate it
themselves. This also infers more teacher flexibility and adaptability in their curriculum, so that new
ideas and newsworthy events can be incorporated into the learning – which in turn will make it more
real, more relevant and importantly, more suited to the needs of entrepreneurial intention and
support.
The above infers an educator’s ability to be able to present incomplete information – to allow
students to make discoveries, shift schedules and adapt classroom scheduling – to provide a more
realistic experience that relates to the working world, and to encompass real events and real
scenarios that add relevance to the learning process.
There is one more point to add here, and that is that creativity?aware “Assessors strive to eliminate
imitation, adaption or recall, by engaging the students… on a task that should be new”
32
. It therefore
becomes the role of the educator to create relevant tasks that test the learner’s abilities to see new
ways of thinking and to facilitate meaningful engagement both within and outside the classroom.
If we agree that enterprising people need to be creative and innovative in order to spot
opportunities to act upon, and that they need to have an understanding of business as well as to
have knowledge in one or more specific areas of study, then a picture emerges.
The model throws the emphasis on the need to enhance innovation and creativity and to
understand that career considerations need not impact prematurely within any educational system.
30 European Commission (2012). Supporting the Teaching Professions for Better Learning Outcomes, European
Commission.
31 Ibid.
32 See: Cowan, J (2006) How should I assess creativity?, in Jackson, N, Oliver, M, . Shaw M and Wisdom, J (eds.),
Developing Creativity in Higher Education: An imaginative curriculum, Oxon: Routledge, pp. 156?172.
18
Early skills development can continue within a wide range of topics and subjects, and can be
supplemented with early stage fiscal understandings and business imperatives. As the educational
experience evolves, these may become more focused within course options and ultimately for
example, within career choice?making for college or university. Curiosity should always drive the
process of learning – through experiences that challenge thinking and are seen to be relevant to the
learners’ own aspirations.
The model sits well with the Royal Society of Arts (RSA), who have been a source of enterprise
understanding for over 250 years. Their collaboration with RBS in recent reports such as Disrupt tells
us that young people are already challenging the conventions of entrepreneurship
33
. For example
the stereotype image of the loner who plans well ahead and is driven by making money needs a
complete overhaul, and in contrast, lean collaborative and sometimes accidental entrepreneurs
abound, but motivation and determination are key factors for success.
The RSA’s Manifesto for Youth Enterprise talks about three pillars of inspiration, education and
enabling and then growth. Clearly, if properly managed, education can help to inspire, inform and
educate, and critically offer experiences that are meaningful in an enterprise education context.
Only then will their aim of threading learning throughout education have the potential to be
realized. A goal from their manifesto is a useful way to conclude this chapter:
“Thread enterprise learning throughout education – enterprise education can have a powerful
impact in developing both the soft and hard skill sets of young people. Yet sometimes it is left
on the margins of the curriculum, meaning it only reaches the most proactive students. More
young people could be exposed to enterprise?related learning by embedding it throughout
school curricula and FE/HE courses.”
34
Key Findings
• Based on an international perspective, our review covers well?trodden ground.
• Innovation is central to entrepreneurial learning and creative approaches to education
provides the foundation to build on.
• Evidence suggests that learning for innovation needs to be implicit and not seen as a bolt?on
experience.
• Our education systems need to deliver knowledge harvesters, not merely knowledge
retainers
• Flexibility and adaptability are key skills and behaviours, yet many educational systems
conspire against them
• Learning from experience includes the experience of being taught – the teacher can be a
role model to emulate.
33 RSA (2013). Disrupt Inc: How Young People are Challenging the Conventions of Entrepreneurship,. London:, RSA and RBS
Inspiring Enterprise.
34 RSA (2013). A Manifeso for Youth Enterprise. London, RSA and Royal Bank of Scotland.
19
3. The Landscape – From Universities to Schools
In the United States the origins of enterprise education can be traced back to 1947
35
, and over the
past 20 – 30 years there has been a raft of evidence gathering as to why enterprise and
entrepreneurship education is so important, not only for young people, but also for those returning
to a much changed and ever?realigning workplace. This evidence gathering has not been limited to
the US as it has been an issue of international concern. For example, from 1991 to 2010,
Internationalizing Entrepreneurship Education and Training (IntEnt), a yearly academic conference
on empirical research of entrepreneurship education, ran on all continents: Europe, North?/South
America, Asia, Australia, Africa, USA and Mexico. Our focus in our discussions is Europe and of
course the UK, however despite cultural differences, we will reference other international
perspectives when they are pertinent.
In the UK, the Secretary of State for Employment launched an Enterprise in Higher Education
Initiative (EHE) in December 1987. This had the now somewhat familiar objective, of producing
graduates who were better able to adapt to a rapidly changing world of work. £70 million from the
Employment Department was made available to 63 higher education institutions to develop
enterprise education programmes within the curriculum. The first 11 higher education institutions to
enter the Initiative were announced in 1988. It was very soon realized that enterprise education
could not be imposed on staff, and that each institution worked differently. Plymouth University for
example had some cross faculty developments in addition to specifics delivered within coursework.
Sheffield University focused on existing initiatives in personal skills development across the entire
university, even prehistory and archaeology students got involved, and their lecturers reported that
the enterprise approach was more relevant to their needs than other staff development activities
that they had experienced. The Open University focused on a portfolio approach within a personal
and career development programme.
70 audits were undertaken and comments relating to enhanced creativity and high success rates and
the term ‘enterprise’ became short hand for new approaches to teaching and learning. The reader
may find it interesting to know that this evaluation does not come from the UK, but from an
education review in Australia that wished to emulate the successes achieved.
36
The Science and Enterprise Challenge (UKSEC) was set up with the aim of establishing a network of
centres in UK universities that specialised in the teaching and practice of commercialisation and
entrepreneurialism within the field of science and technology. 12 Science Enterprise Centres were
established in UK universities in the first round of the competition in 1999/2000, with £28.9m of
Government funding. In October 2001 a further £15 million of awards was offered, and in
recognition of the work achieved, it was decided to incorporate the work of the centres into the
second round of Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF).
37
35 Vesper, K. H. and W. B. Gartner (1997). "Measuring progress in entrepreneurship education." Journal of Business
Venturing 12(5): 403?421.
36 Murphy, M. (1996). Preparing Students for the World of Work: Some Lessons from the United Kingdom Enterprise in
Higher Education Initiative, Curtin University of Technology ? Research and Development in Higher Education.
37 From archived information received from Enterprise Educators UK. Information on HEIF can be found at: http://www.hefce.ac.uk/whatwedo/kes/heif/
20
By July 2002 eminent UK professors such as David Kirby not only produced useful texts for UK
educators,
38
he also provided online student and lecturer support, heralding the type and nature of
thinking that is prevalent today. Kirby also brought an international perspective through
engagement with the International Entrepreneurship Education and Training Conference (IntEnt),
culminating in a conference of over 250 international delegates at the University of Surrey in 2005.
39
This Government?funded activity UKSEC ultimately transformed itself into what is now a self?funding
independently run network of over 100 institutions including 98 Universities. It became Enterprise
Educators UK (EEUK), which is an example of a success of a Government initiative, as it enterprisingly
kept going after funding ceased, primarily because of the demand and support of the educators
within the network.
UKSEC (or now EEUK) joined forces with a new Government initiative; the National Council for
Graduate Entrepreneurship (NCGE) in 2006 to run a series of International Entrepreneurship
Educators Conferences (IEEC), the most recent was hosted by Sheffield University in September
2013. Reflecting the changing landscape, NCGE rebranded itself in 2011 to become the National
Centre for Enterprise Education (NCEE)
,
40
and continues to serve the community in other joint
projects such as the International Entrepreneurship Educator’s Programme (IEEP)
41
and through
initiatives such as the Entrepreneurial University Leaders Programme (EULP).
42
Much of this
development has relied on the pioneering work of Professor Allan Gibb OBE, who recently critiqued
the BIS Report ‘Enterprise Education Impact in Higher Education and Further Education’ for
colleagues at the Sheffield University?hosted IEEC event. Notably the conference and his
presentation were reported worldwide, for example at the Nigerian Enterprise Development Centre
at the Pan?Atlantic University (Formerly Pan?African University)
43
.
The pairing of EEUK and NCEE has also led to a nationally recognised awards programme, the
National Enterprise Educator Awards (NEEA)
44
, and one of this year’s winners, Neil Coles of Cardiff
University, (through his A?Z of entrepreneurship in the curriculum) evidenced how enterprise and
entrepreneurship can be a pan?university activity designed not only for the University’s Business
School, but for all areas of study. Specifically the Awards recognise:
• Enterprise Educators – who are transforming the enterprise curriculum
• Enterprise ‘Champions’ – who are supporting extra?curricular activities
• Student Educators – who are supporting peer learning and development
• Enterprise Society Champions – who are champions or educators supporting, growing and
engaging their student enterprise societies (individuals can only be nominated by student
enterprise societies).
38 Kirby, D. (2002). Entrepreneurship. New York:, McGraw?Hill Higher Education.
39http://portal.surrey.ac.uk/portal/page?_pageid=799,506805and_dad=portaland_schema=PORTAL
40 www.ncee.org.uk
41http://ieeponline.com
42 See:http://eulp.co.uk
43http://www.pau.edu.ng/enterprise?development?centre1
44http://ncee.org.uk/entrepreneurship_education/educator_awards
21
Set against these educator?based initiatives is the research undertaken over the past 30 years by the
Institute of Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE). ISBE not only deliver an annual series of
papers that specialize in discussions around the topic of entrepreneurship education, but also
informs debate through extensive research into how small companies work and function, what their
key issues are, and how research can inform active changes. Much of ISBE’s work is relevant to this
discussion, as robust academic evidence taken from business and enterprise is aligned to education
and enterprise enhancement.
45
Other enterprise educator support organisations include one set up
specifically for Russell Group universities, and the Higher Education Entrepreneurship Group
(HEEG)
46
across the South East of England.
Recent and relative newcomers to the scene are the student?based body NACUE
47
who formed
under the Oxford University enterprise society champion Victoria Lennox in 2009 with the aim to
support student?led enterprise societies. Lennox subsequently received the Queens Award for
Enterprise Promotion and the organisation is moving into the Further Education sector, supported
by the Department of Business Innovation and Skills.
Of course enterprise and entrepreneurship have a social dimension; it is not simply about making
money but also looking at issues such as sustainability and community concerns. Another leader in
supporting universities to support social entrepreneurship is UnLtd,
48
who with HEFCE support have
resourced and informed hundreds of individuals.
The overarching UK University sector’s Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Education Guidance was
developed and produced through the Quality Assurance Agency following demand from the
enterprise education community in 2010, primarily through a call from educators working within the
Higher Education Academy’s Subject Centre in Business, Management, Accountancy and Finance
(HEA?BMAF)
49
and supported by feedback from both FE and HE delegates at the IEEC event in Cardiff
2010. These delegates responded to key issues in an instant feedback session using ‘clickers’ and the
views that were recorded directly informed the IEEC Concordat
50
, which made 5 important calls for
action:
• Integration and pathways to be developed so that schools, colleges and universities can
provide a continuous and integrated approach that will help our learners to develop the
lifelong skills needed to be enterprising and entrepreneurial.
• Improved support and leadership that helps to drive forward the entrepreneurial mission
across institutions, at all levels.
45 See:http://www.isbe.org.uk
46http://www.heeg.org.uk/
47 www.nacue.com? also provide contribution in appendix
48 UnLtd resource community entrepreneurs to start?up; support those with more established ventures to scale up; and
are committed to developing an eco?system of support to make it easier for those who need help to find it. HEFCE and
UnLtd are currently partnering on SEE Change and working with 59 universities to help mainstream and embed social
entrepreneurship support within the HE sector. See:http://unltd.org.uk/about_unltd/
49 HEA?BMAF’s Special Interest Group in Entrepreneurial Learning collaborated with EEUK, NCGE and other partners
including hosts Leeds Metropolitan University. They engaged in first dialogues with QAA on 26 February 2010. See: http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/business...sigs/260210_shaping_quality_and_assessment_in
_entrepreneurship_education
50 IEEC (2010). IEEC Concordat
22
• Clarity of impact measures and associated funding priorities so that we can work to develop
a more sustainable, transparent and appropriate approach to developing these capacities.
• Improved guidance on issues of quality and assessment, so that a more coherent yet flexible
framework will enable educators to embed more enterprising approaches in their
curriculum.
• Recognition and reward nationally, regionally and institutionally to support those working
within a fragile environment of short term funding by providing career progression and
recognised development opportunities – for the ultimate benefit of regions and institutions
as well as individuals (staff and students).
Formed in January 2012 within the FE Sector, the Gazelle Group of Colleges
51
are having impact and
driving forward similar thinking. Using models imported from Babson College in the USA
52
that link
innovation with enterprise, it might be thought that their approaches could differ significantly from
UK based initiatives. As is evidenced in this review, this is far from the case, and in many ways, US
and UK perspectives are moving closer together. For example, just like the recently finalized
Entrepreneurial University concept
53
, they are tackling issues such as incubation space, senior
management direction and curriculum development within the FE environment. Gazelle Colleges
Group is also looking to support the school sector in a coherent and organised way, and comments
from their initial discussions are included in this report.
Acknowledged leaders in the schools field include ‘Ready Unlimited’
54
, the Rotherham based
initiative that has successfully piloted and run a range of enterprising initiatives despite faltering
financial support and an uncertain future in terms of funding. Their Hubs model and their “Big 13”
list,
55
which was developed by stakeholders from both business and education, also aligns well with
other guidance discussed here, but has relevance to the community it serves as its core. Following
two visits to their schools to hear about what level of support they receive from teachers, parents
and their communities, this report considers that there is much to learn from the enterprising
youngsters whose education has been built on pillars that support the national curriculum and
standards, but that are fundamentally different in their educational approaches. When a young pupil
asks a teacher “When do I get my enterprise entitlement?” the value of such teaching really strikes
home.
56
Other informed parties include Young Enterprise, who are a leading enterprise education charity
that inspires success through enterprise. Bodies such as these may offer important insights, primarily
because of their ‘joined up’ way of connecting different levels of education and drawing upon the
experiences and feedback of alumni. Young Enterprise also commissions research to inform its
actions and deliberations; they consider the Government to have a lack of focus on the skills,
51 Gazelle Colleges Group was formed in January 2012 to transform further education for a changing world of work. It is
developing innovative new learning models and new partnerships with business to deliver an improved outcome for
students, their communities and the economy. See:http://www.gazellecolleges.com
52 Babson College are acknowledged to be one of the leaders in the field of entrepreneurship education. The Arthur M
Blank Center for Entrepreneurship was established in 1998 and focuses on the development of entrepreneurship of all
kinds. See:http://www.babson.edu/Academics/centers/blank?center/Pages/home.aspx
53 OECD (2012). A Guiding Framework for Entrepreneurial Universities, European Commission / OECD
54http://www.rotherhamready.org.uk/ready?hubs/
55http://www.rotherhamready.org.uk/the?big?13/
56 Pupil feedback during a meeting at Wingfield Academy on 2 July 2013. See:http://www.wingfield.rotherham.sch.uk
23
attitudes and behaviours that young people need in their working lives, and they call for enterprise
education to be established in the school curriculum. The sheer numbers that Young Enterprise
engages with also make them worthy of consideration in any future dialogues:
“…the academic year 2012/13, Young Enterprise had 77,000 students registered for our
primary programmes. Excluding Northern Ireland, this drops to 44,000.”
57
The Enterprise Education Trust make the point that much of the discussion has revolved around
what young people learn, as opposed to the evolving discussions as to how people learn.
58
As has
been touched upon in Chapter 2, at the university level this has started to take hold, and informed
by recent findings in psychology, memory types and neurology, is moving beyond this stance. What
is more, the HE sector also recognizes other points made in their discussion, for example the need to
embrace a whole school approach, the need to enhance enterprise understanding in teachers and
ensuring a real world approach. Thus consistency and connectivity is apparent.
The Trust further point out that research from Demos suggests that capabilities including effective
communication, teamwork, applying oneself to tasks and committing to long term goals are now as
important as academic ability in predicting earnings by the age of 30.
59
Their overall conclusions
state that enterprise education needs to be integrated across the curriculum if it is going to be
effective, that students need to be inspired by enhanced engagement with business and industry,
and that careers guidance needs to be overhauled to better align to the changing needs of young
people. They also note that to achieve these aims, enterprise education should be an aspect of
teacher training.
Other insights can be gleaned from the Edexcel BTEC vocational programmes of study, which
represent almost half of the approved high?quality non?GCSE qualifications in the UK. Edexcel BTEC
are recognized for their quality of provision and the progression opportunities they offer their
learners, some of which appear to align well with the needs of enterprise education. In December
2013 they announced that 87 qualifications have been approved for school performance tables ?
starting in 2016.
60
However, of particular interest to our discussion are the Edexcel BTEC Certificates
in Learning for Life (QCF), which allude to the fact that:
“Learners of all abilities flourish when they can apply their own knowledge, skills and
enthusiasm to a subject.”
61
To illustrate their approach, key features that they employ are useful in our context as these
consistently include the following themes at Levels 1, 2 and 3:
• Teamwork.
• Reflective Learning.
57
From Correspondence with Marianna Lemus, Research and Evaluation Manager at Young Enterprise.
58
Dellot, B. and G. Darby (2013). The Enterprise Generation. London, Enterprise Education Trust.
59
Op. cit., See: Birdwell, J, Grist, M and Margo, J (2011) The Forgotten Half. Demos: London.
60
http://www.edexcel.com/btec/news-and policy/Pages/ViewNotice.aspx?notice=3496
61
edexecel BTEC Specialist Qualifications – Specification of Certificates in Learning for Life, ‘welcome page’.
24
• Independent Learning.
• Creative Learning.
62
Key themes to assist assessment include using a portfolio approach that requires learners to collate
evidence themselves. This may include but is not limited to:
• Peer and teacher observation.
• Performances.
• Video.
• Audio.
• Externally validated certificates.
63
This requires a holistic all?school approach, including educators who can mentor and advise, rather
than simply deliver set pieces for the purpose of examinations and tests. For example, evidencing an
understanding of the values of others, being flexible, being resilient and developing visionary skills
are central aspects for evaluation. In many ways this approach mirrors the requirement of an
enterprising education.
In 2010, as Government changed, and with reference to the ‘School Development Grant’, the
Department for Education published an ‘Evaluation of Enterprise Education in England’.
64
The report
focussed on the need to become a world leader in the fast changing global economy. It did not take
stock of existing activities, but was more focussed on how the funding interventions translated into
benefits for the economy. Issues such as confusion over definitions and the lack of a whole school
approach surfaced ? following 30 case study visits and a survey of 408 schools across England.
Enterprise was often seen as a unique subject by the schools, and not an integral part of the
curriculum. Where enterprise was reported to be a more engaged topic, and teachers had a better
understanding, the coordinators reported:
• Increased self awareness.
• Improved business and economic understanding.
• A wider belief in their capabilities and opportunities.
• Improved management of change and risk.
• Increased retention of those at risk of disengagement.
• Improved rates of attendance.
Overall there was consensus that enterprise as a teaching style helped pupils to learn and that those
with more experience evidenced greater impact than those just starting out. Concerns expressed
included:
• The critical nature of the support of senior management teams.
62
Edexcel (2011). BTEC (2011) BA025939 – Specification –Level 3, Level 2, Level 1, Entry 3 Certificates specialist
qualification in Learning for Life (QCF).
63
Ibid.
64
McLarty, L., H. Highley and S. Alderson (2006). Evaluation of Enterprise Education in England.
25
• The perceived priority level within the curriculum (note that the Davies report only
suggested 5 days per year.
65
)
• Time given over to employer engagement / prioritisation of time.
• The CPD required to shift teachers’ perspectives and to subsequently develop appropriate
pedagogic skills.
• How success would be measured / the lack of specificity during inspections.
The report concludes with the recommendations that consideration needs to be given to funding to
fill the current gaps in provision, to the lack clarity of the definitions and to the crucial nature of this
work, especially in terms of the need for external engagement.
To turn beyond England momentarily, the first (2004) Scottish document ‘How Good Is Our School:
Quality Indicators in Enterprise Education’, offered self?evaluation and quality indicators as well as
worked examples and practical sources of support. It also emphasized the need for guidance for
teachers in terms of developing teaching approaches and support and committing to whole school
strategies as opposed to soloed business subjects.
66
Later in 2008 when the impact was reviewed
through a series of inspections, the findings had a ring that is becoming quite familiar throughout
this investigation:
“The positive influence of enterprise in education on learners’ attainment and wider
achievement was evident in the schools and centres inspected for this report, and in the wider
range of HMIE inspections. Importantly, that helpful influence extended across personal and
social skills and a wide range of aspects of learning, confirming the impact of enterprise across
the curriculum and throughout learning 3?18. Enterprise in education encouraged good
attendance and behaviour, positive attitudes to learning, increased motivation and high levels
of achievement.
67
”
“Enterprise in education provided a stimulus for innovative experiences and approaches which
went beyond learning in curriculum areas and subjects. It contributed to pupils developing as
successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors, and
highlighted ideas and approaches which are directly relevant to schools.”
68
Other findings included staff members reporting the direct gains that they witnessed having
undertaken CPD in enterprise education. They especially note the need for educator flexibility /
allowing the educators to employ and make relevant principles and approaches rather than followed
dictated pathways. Enterprise, when themed with creativity, often led to promotion in the schools
investigated. The relevance of playfulness also featured highly, as did the impact on pupils with
special needs and those who would normally be considered low achievers. Overall:
65 Davies, H. (2002). A Review of Enterprise and the Economy in Education. London.
66 HM Inspectorate of Education (2004). How Good Is Our School: Quality Indicators in Enterprise Education. Edinburgh,
HM Inspectorate of Education.
67 HM Inspectorate of Education (2004). Improving Enterprise in Education: A Report by HM Inspectorate of Education,
HM Inspectorate of Education.
68 Op. cit, 14
26
“Staff and pupils felt they were being encouraged to engage, to suggest creative and
innovative approaches to learning, and to become active stakeholders.”
69
Wales already has had a National approach to this entire landscape, which was initially developed in
2002 and termed the ‘Youth Entrepreneurship Strategy’.
70
This was reviewed and revisited in 2010
and provides, amongst many other things, help for entrepreneurs who wish to help educators – by
providing them with essential teaching and learning skills that support the educator community.
Wales also has the first university?validated teacher?training module for Post Graduate and Initial
Teacher Training. In turn this informed the learning outcomes strategy for the European Leonardo
Da Vinci Project Acknowledging and Developing Entrepreneurial Teacher Training (ADEPTT).
“The overall objective of ADEPTT, Acknowledging and Developing Entrepreneurial Practice in
Teacher Training is to create a strategic EU model to promote teacher training in
entrepreneurship as a means to develop entrepreneurial mindsets in European young people
and thus, socio?economic and local/regional development.”
71
The Welsh Government’s ‘Big Ideas Wales’ have set up a National CPD Enterprise Education hub
based in the University of South Wales. This development is based on earlier work and has an aim to
promote, facilitate and lead entrepreneurial thinking across all levels of education and schooling,
from ages 5?25.
72
The earlier initiatives, claim the Welsh Government, have led to aspirations of
young people under 25 to be their own boss rising from 42% in 2004 to 53% in 2013 (Wales Omnibus
Survey), a tripling of early?stage entrepreneurial activity in ages 18?24 (Global Economic Monitor)
and the observation that Wales generates 9.1% of all graduate start ups in the UK, but only have 5%
of the HE student population (HECBIS).
73
Scotland too has looked at an overarching strategy, and in 2011 Create Highland Centre in
partnership with Scotland’s Colleges produced a discussion document entitled “A Proposed
Enterprise Education Framework for Scotland”. Picking up on European initiatives and referencing
key thinking of the time, an ambitious Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) of
learning outcomes was produced
74
. Though to date this has not been populated with activities that
lead to the learning outcomes described, it nevertheless offers an integrated approach that could
inform future thinking.
75
Since 2000 the Global Economic Monitor’s National Expert Surveys have gathered data that
consistently demonstrates business experts’ dissatisfaction with aspects of entrepreneurship
education and training in their countries. Amongst their most critical comments are the ratings they
give for the adequacy of entrepreneurship education and training in primary and secondary schools.
69 Op. cit, 36
70 For details see:http://wales.gov.uk/topics/businessandeconomy/publications/yesactionplan1015/?lang=en
71http://publiek.syntra.be/websites/europeseprojecten/adeptt/Management/PROJECT%20SUMMARY.aspx
72 See:http://ms.fs4b.wales.gov.uk/sub_sites/yes/content/about_yes/get_involved/activity_detail.aspx?i=249
73 HECBIS – ‘Higher Education Business and Community Interaction Survey’ ? Welsh Government’s Response to the
Enterprise and Business Committee’s Report on Youth Entrepreneurship. Available online at: http://www.assemblywales.org/bus?ho...y?laid?docs.htm?act=disandid=252958&ds=1/2014
74
http://www.scqf.org.uk/
75
See:http://www.createhighland.com/getdoc/a8c4778f?0352?410b?b649?
fd81d63e1898/Proposed_Enterprise_Education_Framework_?_1?pdf.aspx
27
A key conclusion of their 2010 Global Perspective on Entrepreneurship Education and Training is
that:
“…analysis suggests that entrepreneurship training may enhance self?efficacy, or start?up skills
self?perception, but seems to be poor at enhancing opportunity recognition. It may be that
planning?based programs are good at making people believe they know how to start a
business. However, the other crucial ingredient is recognition of an attractive opportunity.
76
“For reasons such as these, European Level policy guidance is developing at some pace, and is
well informed by international experts of enterprise education. For example expert
representatives from 28 countries have informed both the development of CPD activities and
new teacher training provisions.
77
These culminated in the June 2013 release of the European
Commission’s ‘Entrepreneurship Education: A Guide for Educators’
78
. Some key themes are
emerging, and importantly, it is now well recognised that new pedagogical stances are
required if innovation needs to be prioritised – teaching styles will have to change across a
broad spectrum.
“Such competencies are best acquired through people?led enquiry and discovery that enable
students to turn ideas into action. They are difficult to teach through traditional teaching and
learning practices in which the learner tends to be a more or less passive recipient. They
require active, learner?centred pedagogies and learning activities that use practical learning
opportunities from the real world. Furthermore, since entrepreneurship education is a
transversal competence it should be available to all students and be taught as a theme rather
than as a separate subject at all stages and levels of education”
79
.
This fundamental shift is not lost on other international agencies. The United Nations Conference for
Trade and Development (UNCTAD) spent three years investigating what makes an entrepreneurial
eco system, concluding that education was one of the key 6 pillars that policy makers needed to
address, the prime call being to “Mainstream the development of entrepreneurship awareness and
entrepreneurial behaviours starting from primary school level”.
80
Perhaps interestingly, UNCTAD’s Chief of Entrepreneurship reports that many developing countries
are more engaged than countries with more traditional approaches to education, and that based on
research developed from the Global Economic Monitor, “entrepreneurial dynamism has been
shifting to developing countries”.
81
76
Martinez, A., J. Levie, D. Kelley, R. Samundsson and T. Scott (2010). A Global Perspective on Entrepreneurship Education
and Training, GEM.
77
See:http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/sme/promoting?entrepreneurship/education?training?
entrepreneurship/teacher?education?entrepreneurship/index_en.htm
78
Available online at:http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/sme/promoting?entrepreneurship/files/education/entredu?
manual?fv_en.pdf
79
Directorate?General for Enterprise and Industry (2011). Entrepreneurship Education: Enabling Teachers as a Critical
Success Factor. Brussels, European Commission.
80http://unctad.org/en/Pages/DIAE/Entrepreneurship/EPF?3.aspx
81 Mugione, F. (2013). Joint Inter?Governmental Conference Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean & United
Nations Inter?Agency Cluster on Trade and Productive Capacity, Geneva.
28
Certainly this perspective can be evidenced in aspirational Eastern European developments in
former parts of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, where Governments have come
together to debate ways forward. They have already developed an extensive competency based
approach to enterprise education. Available in Serbian, Russian and English, the South East
European Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (SEECEL) has a training needs analysis for SMEs,
proposals for women’s entrepreneurship, and competency based educational frameworks for ages
11 through to 18.
82
In the former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia, supported by the Macedonian
Ministry for Education and Science and the British Embassy, the National Center for Development of
Innovations and Entrepreneurial Learning (NCDIEL) recently celebrated the milestone of over 2,000
teachers who have undertaken specialist?training courses in becoming an entrepreneurial
educator.
83
There is another backdrop that needs to be taken into consideration, and it relates to the type and
nature of champions who are pushing forward. Although not conclusive, there is strong evidence to
suggest that educators who have had entrepreneurial experience themselves are leading thought.
For example, international research within higher education has indicated that formal education is
not driving the enterprise and entrepreneurship teaching and learning agenda; text books are not
popular and seeking support outside of the educational system is common. It would also appear that
there is a dearth of appropriate training. For example:
“Over 75% of the (international) educators surveyed had personal start?up experience, and
there was limited reliance on academic literature, with a preference for referencing broader
stakeholder perspectives.”
84
And as specialists in school teaching from Finland assert:
“Our research results indicate that the perception teachers have of their own
entrepreneurship education skills is closely connected to the implementation of
entrepreneurship education… providing teachers with training related to the topic area is the
best possible way to promote the implementation of entrepreneurship education in
schools”.
85
Taking this and the educator guidance and training that is developing in Europe into account, it
would appear that educator support through learning initiatives, self?help groups and networks need
to be supported; indeed, it is a metric that the United Nations Conference for Trade and
Development (UNCTAD) apply to measure successful Government interventions.
86
Within an
82 For further information see:http://www.seecel.hr
83 See:http://www.ncdiel.mk/IndexEn.asp?ID=5
84 Penaluna, K., P. A and C. Jones (2012). "The Context of Enterprise Education: Insights into Current Practices." Education
+ Training 26(3): 163.
85 Ruskovaara, E. and T. Pihkala ibid."Teachers implementing entrepreneurship education: classroom practices." 55(2):
213.
86 UNCTAD (2012). Entrepreneurship Policy Framework and Implementation Guidance (2012) Area 3: Enhancing
Entrepreneurship Education and Skills Development, Education and Skills: A checklist of key questions.
29
environment that has developed organically, it is the networks that have pulled the thinking
together.
87
Whilst this chapter’s snapshots cannot possibly cover the full range of initiatives that are taking
place, as it misses so many players in this important but disparate debate, its intention is to illustrate
the level of activity already taking place and the type and nature of ongoing discussions, both in the
UK and internationally. Not least amongst these discussions is what makes up the enterprising
mindset and what kinds of thinking, learning and imagining is involved in the development of future
thinkers who can respond to an ever?changing landscape in meaningful and contributory ways. We
have found the evidence to be consistent and fairly repetitive; institutions appear to attract
institutionalized approaches to teaching and learning that are restrictive and engender reliance as
opposed to resilience and independence. For example, strict timetabling and rigidity of delivery
against easily measured outcomes, or assessment that is announced some considerable time before
the work is due. These do not enhance the development of skills related to flexible and innovative
thinking. To conclude this aspect of our debate, one key aspect is of particular concern. With the
notable exception of some creative disciplines in the university sector, in the entire year of
investigation we did not find a single learning institution that confidently and assuredly told us that
they tracked and enhanced the development of creative capacity.
Key Findings
• In the UK this has been a long running debate that spans over 25 years.
• Grass roots / self funding networks have had impact, some of these emerged from
Government funding.
• Peer recognition and rewards schemes are emerging and have impact.
• Formalised progression and career paths are at a very early stage of development (for
entrepreneurship educators).
• Curriculum interventions are patchy but when undertaken have very positive outcomes
across all areas of learning.
• Consensus is being reached as to what is needed and what works.
• Some countries outside of England are making better progress and the EU Commission’s
research and guidance is extremely helpful.
• Issues surrounding stakeholder engagement beyond the school and college / university need
to be addressed.
87 See: Beresford, R. and K. Beresford (2010). "The role of networks in supporting grassroots good practice in enterprise
education." Research in Post?Compulsory Education, 15(3): 275?288.
30
4. Primary School Experience
“In the first six years of the 21
st
Century, the aims, purposes and values of education expressed in
the surveyed countries appear to be reflecting economic and social principles, at the same time as
the philosophies of personalised teaching and learning. This hybrid of economically driven,
learner?centred, and society?influenced aims reflects the views expressed by various theorists on
(Primary) education…”
88
Before we enter into any deeper discussions, a fundamental question needs to be considered,
“What is the role of schooling and whose needs should school education respond to?”
In primary education, child centred?ness has been a consistent factor and the needs of the individual
child have essentially remained paramount. However in the UK, Governments have increasingly
influenced the aims, purposes and values of education. The introduction of a National Curriculum
that by 1988 saw subjects becoming ‘Core’ (English, Mathematics and Science) or ‘Foundation (Art
and Design, Design and Technology, Geography, ICT, Music and Physical Education) at Key Stages 1
and 2 (5?11 years old).
89
Thus a hierarchy began that remains to this day.
On the face of it, Primary Education’s non?statutory cross?curricular activities that lead on Creativity,
ICT, Education for Sustainable Development, Literacy and Numeracy across the curriculum do not
appear at odds with the aims of enterprise; however what is perhaps more telling is what is
evaluated at the end of each key stage. Tests focus on English, Maths and Science, but do not
meaningfully evaluate creativity or an understanding of sustainable development.
90
If you are
teaching to the test, then the focus is perhaps naturally on those aspects that will be tested,
evaluated and ultimately, compared and contrasted with others.
Recent understandings on developing education for social and economic improvement within the
context of new technologies revisit the premise that creativity and innovation are primary drivers of
excellence and may not be taken fully into account. For example in Australia, the proliferation of
speeches and policy statements on the importance of creativity, in conjunction with similar
discussions on the significant increases in the use of IT in learning, led the Australian Council for
Educational Research to ask some thought?provoking questions as to what the direction of
education actually was, and did they know where they were headed? This led the Australian Council
for Educational Research to ask a series of questions as to where education was headed. Their
conclusion that developing innovation requires the rethinking of curriculum and assessment comes
as no surprise, but the challenges this presents, especially to time?constrained educators for whom
telling the answers is easier than enabling pupils to make personal discoveries, presents significant
tensions with more traditional approaches.
91
However, the premise that primary education is
88 Shuayb, M. and S. O’Donnell (2008). Aims and Values in Primary Education: England and other countries (Primary
Review Research Survey 1/2). Cambridge, University of Cambridge Faculty of Education.
89 Children Schools and Families Committee (2009). Children, Schools and Families Committee (2009) National Curriculum,
Volume 1, House of Commons.
91 Mellor, S. (2010). Building Innovation: Learning with Technologies,. Victoria, Australian Council for Educational
Research.
31
interdisciplinary and learner?led is helpful in the context of enterprise education, and would appear
to strike a reasonable balance between developing creativity, engendering enterprising
competencies and retaining appropriate attention on the Core subjects. These raw enterprising skills
need not be directly related to calls for business education to start at this juncture, but more
rounded in terms of providing educational experiences that prepare pupils for later learning
experiences, ones that should test their innovation capacities.
The authors of the “Global Competitiveness Report” highlight that across the 148 economies they
investigated, innovation driven countries that invested in primary education and embedded ‘social
resilience’, were better placed to respond to the need for continuous adaptation and change; they
were well placed to develop new and competitive infrastructures.
92
As is often stated anecdotally, young children are less concerned about personal status and more
absorbed in personal enquiry. This, coupled with recent neurological findings that the brain evolves
in ways that prunes its connections in early life to conserve energy, the ‘use it or lose it’ scenario,
suggests that what we may be attempting to capture is simply the retention of abilities that we
exhibit in early life. Fear of failure is rare in early years learning, and encouraging exploratory
thought is common. It therefore follows that primary education has the potential to initiate the type
and nature of thinking skills that are required. Additionally, they might also inform later?years
learning strategies, especially when the aim is to develop similar creative and cognitive abilities.
Specifically, as education is acknowledged to be the most broadly and consistently successful
cognitive enhancer of all,
93
enabling early and appropriate development in young people in terms of
creativity fits the goals of those wishing to develop early stage entrepreneurial capacity through
skills such as opportunity recognition.
The following cases have been chosen to illustrate what is being done. They also illustrate how
enterprise education can be strategically embedded into curricular activities as well as extra?
curricular work in the Primary sector. Even finance can be made fun and related to creative
endeavour.
Case Study 1 - Herringthorpe Infant School, Rotherham.
(Part of a Ready Unlimited ‘Ready Hub’ – a partnership including a secondary school and its partner
primary schools which work with young people, parents, businesses and the wider community to co?
produce enterprise practice and provision).
On 2
nd
July 2013 Ready Unlimited and University of Wales Trinity Saint David staff visited the school
to see first?hand what was being achieved. What was immediately apparent from noticeboards in
the classrooms and corridors was that the children were engaged in learning under 6 thematic pillars
that linked their learning skills to enterprise. These were:
92 Schwab, K. (2013). The Global Competitiveness Report.
93 N, B. and S. A (2009). "Cognitive Enhancement: methods, ethics, regulatory challenges." Sci Eng Ethics 15(3): 311?341.
32
• Resilience
• Teamwork
• Creativity
• Reflection
• Problem Solving
• Communications.
According to the head teacher Mrs Pepper, this enabled the staff to focus on agendas that related
not only to their own school issues, but also to themes beyond the school gates and into the broader
community. As an aside, she mentioned the evolving success of parent?teacher interaction through
Parent Teacher Groups and engagement with local businesses. This she put down to a simple
message, one of relevance. If the parents and broader stakeholders saw relevance in what the
children were learning, then learning continued beyond the classroom into the community. In turn,
the community supported the school.
Above: An example of linking learning skills to enterprise at Herringthorpe Infant School.
One of the key things picked up in the school’s OFSTED Report was that the teachers made good
links and connections between subjects, so that the relevance of the learning was implicit.
94
This
interdisciplinary approach encourages creative thinking through the linking of potentially disparate
topics, ideas and sources of information. In the words of the OFSTED Inspectors:
“The school excels at providing pupils with an insight into the 'world of work.' This can be
through related role play areas or the opportunity for pupils to set up their own businesses.
For example, pupils enjoyed running a caf [sic] for parents and carers. Such a strong focus on
enterprise, alongside the emphasis on high quality team work, prepares pupils extremely well
for the next stage in their education.”
95
94 See:http://herringthorpejuniors.com/for?parents/ofsted?report/
95 OFSTED Inspection Report: Herringthorpe Infant School, 26–27 January 2009, 5
33
“The emphasis given to enterprise sets learning in a meaningful context and motivates pupils
to work hard on a wide range of hands?on activities. A good range of creative activities, visits
and extra?curricular clubs add interest and enjoyment to pupils' learning and ensure they have
a good understanding of life beyond the immediate locality.”
96
Teachers skilfully link curricula to the world of work and business, including visiting local businesses,
inviting entrepreneurs into school and integrating role models, industries and enterprise into
displays:
Family learning is an extension of the approach, and not only brings parents into the school; it also
engages them in topics that the pupils are learning. Parents work alongside their children on
curriculum areas, including science, maths, literacy and DT which are explored through business and
enterprise contexts, for example setting up a company to design and build a bridge, or responding to
a design brief to budget for and create a product for sale.
A parting message made one thing clear to the visitors, none of this had been staged for the day or
was as the result of a single ‘drop in enterprise day’, but was an integral part of a sustained learning
programme that continuously engaged the pupils through their pillars of enterprise.
Case Study 2 - Hull - Primary School Engagement in Global Enterprise
Week
“Enterprise and entrepreneurship education are essential if we are to stimulate young people’s
natural creative traits to be more enterprising, the agenda needs to be about young people and not
projects and programmes. For too long in the UK we have started but never finished, or we have
talked about creating an entrepreneurial culture or started but not developed one from which our
young people can benefit. A true entrepreneurial culture cannot be developed in isolation and needs
to be planned and co?ordinated at local levels. It is time to act and not to talk.”
97
96 ibid. 6
97 Charles Cracknell FRSA, Holder of the Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion, City Youth Enterprise Manager for Hull.
Personal correspondence 13 January 2014
34
In his correspondence to the APPG enterprise education panel, Cracknell makes it clear that short?
term initiatives and stop?gap funding has done little to enhance the opportunities to develop
meaningful enterprise education in schools within the region. The City?wide initiative that he leads
demonstrates the impact that this type of engagement can have, especially when focused on real
achievement in enterprising contexts. Global Entrepreneurship Week in Hull included talks from
Shopping Centre Managers and enterprising promotions experts with 15 years experience. Local
business experts joined the pupils and actively engaged in their teams.
“Then it was time for the Primary Schools to show off their enterprising activities through the £5
Blossom Event which is run every year in Hull! All the primary schools present their activities that
they did throughout the last year. There was an excellent presentation from Clifton, dressed up,
shades on, an awesome performance highlighting the investment of Engaging Education (£150) who
were also their mentors! All ended off with a rap about their products, including their own beat?
boxing backing track!
After the break, Ross Bennett, Director of Engaging Education, launches the Big 13 DVD! This
showcases the 13 enterprising skills that young people need to be successful in their career and
these are the skills that are vital for young people to set up their own business. This DVD was
presented by students themselves including all the introductions and voice?overs. Each skill was
represented by a business which the students went and interviewed an executive representative
from each! This is a great DVD that is launched as a showcase of business in Hull and the Big
13 Skills!
Next up, the Primary School Victoria Dock launch their activity of tower building with straws.
Business professionals and primary schools go head to head, tallest tower wins and there is a little
bonus prize for the best named tower. A really good initiative to get groups working together in
teams with some financial literacy, as teams needed to ‘buy’ more resources with the money they
were given.”
98
98 For more information see:http://www.gew.org.uk/blog/gew_2013_?_engaging_education_?_hull
35
Case Study 3 - Craigfelen Primary School, Swansea, Wales
In 2012 the European Commission invited European education experts to gather in Slovenia to
address the issues surrounding continuous professional development (CPD) of school teachers for
enterprise. Craigfelen Primary School’s active approach to entrepreneurship was featured as a best
practice case study because of the way that previously ‘hardened’ experienced primary school
teachers had embraced the entrepreneurial way of teaching.
99
Head teacher Alison Williams was
invited to speak about her school and the approaches taken to evaluate and assess pupils’
performance through engagement in projects including:
• Young Enterprise projects
• Working with a local bakery to ‘Get Ready to Crumble’
• Boom Chocolate Company – a school?based tuck shop business with unique products
• ‘Money Spiders’, a Junior Saver’s Club run in partnership with LASA Credit Union
• A working café for the local community ‘Graigos Café, which is a truly pupil led business
which is planned, organised and managed by the children aged 7?11 years.
100
Teacher Mr Jamie Taylor, who now has responsibility for developing financial education across the
school, states:
“To begin with I saw enterprise as an add?on to the curriculum, something that can take up a
lot of precious learning time in a very busy timetable. During the latest Enterprise Project we
decided to approach it in a different way. We linked our enterprise activities to our current
topic of ‘Potions’. This not only motivated the pupils but led to a massive amount of cross
curricular links being made.”
“During Literacy lessons the children were writing plans, instructions, letters, evaluations and
learning all about persuasive writing. They were creating web pages, blogs and TV adverts.
There were huge amounts of data handling skills, costing and working out profit margins. The
children were heavily involved in sourcing the cheapest ingredients to help their profit.
Personal and Social Education skills were ever present throughout lessons with children
working as a team, solving problems together and discussing ideas and plans. It helped the
pupils identify their strengths and weaknesses when deciding upon appropriate roles for team
members throughout the task. The pupils in my class have made huge strides forward both
educationally and socially throughout this task and having read their future plans for their
businesses, enterprise is now well and truly embedded into our curriculum.”
99 European Commission (2012). European Commission’s 2nd Laboratory on enabling teachers for entrepreneurship
education ? continuing professional development, Brdo, Slovenia. Hosted by the Slovenian Ministry of Economic
Development and Technology at the Brdo Congress Centre ? aimed at professionals involved in the continuing professional
development of teachers (CPD) who are interested in developing their curriculum on the subject or methods of
entrepreneurship education. Around 90 delegates from 24 countries attended the workshop. See: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/poli.../files/education/brdo_newsletter_final_en.pdf
100http://www.southwales?eveningpost.co.uk/Super?saver?pupils?aim?cook?success?venture/story?18048454?
detail/story.html andhttp://www.itv.com/news/wales/story/2013?01?31/pupils?open?own?community?cafe/
36
Most notably the school also collaborated with Gower College (See FE Case Study) in a project where
enterprising FE students helped the primary pupils to gain insights into entrepreneurial behaviour
through a range of projects and activities. The connected nature of the event was supported by the
City Council’s ‘Building Enterprise Education in Swansea’ (BEES) project. This draws together experts
from business and industry through the local chamber of commerce, entrepreneurs, banking and
finance experts and educators from the university sector, colleges and schools in the area. The
groups’ aim is to develop “…a co?ordinated enterprise education programme across all schools,
colleges and universities in Swansea, so that all young people can access high quality provision”
101
Case Study 4 - Innovative Enterprise, Enterprise Soapbox (Commercial
Product)
The cross?curricular soapbox kits allow students to experience the process of soap making,
researching and designing their own soaps, making their own soaps and packaging them to sell.
Students learn about science, enterprise, business, DT, maths and the environment whilst having fun
making, marketing and selling their own soap products. There are two kits, which contain everything
needed to make soap. Both the primary and secondary kits have a safety?assured recipe meaning
that the soaps can be sold under the UK and European Cosmetic regulations.
Primary School Case Study (A secondary school version is also available)
Ann Hallam, Headteacher who has already used the Soapbox kit at Vicarage Park Primary School,
Kendal, shares her school’s experience of how her school used it as a summer term fun enterprise
activity day with year 6 pupils who worked in mixed teams of four to develop their own products.
“Science was tackled as we were able to speak about matter changing state through heat
application as the animal?free soap base melted in the microwave and then re?formed as solid
soap in moulds. Maths was brought to life as measurements were made, timings used and also
in the business side, pupils were able to calculate the costs and sales price of their product.
Using box template 'nets' the teams needed to measure and cut carefully to develop 3D boxes
for their products.”
“Creating a marketing campaign and delivering a two minute sales 'pitch' allowed pupils to use
their written and spoken English skills, persuasive language, alliteration and challenge their
fears about speaking in front of everyone in the sunny playground!”
“Artistry and design skills were brought to the fore as each team designed their own finished
product and packed it according to the chosen market segment… Babies, Sports, Glamorous
Life, Working Life or Gardening.”
“Students working in mixed teams helped pupils to see how different skills are needed in a
team, the skills needed to create a real product and how companies make profits. In the
101 Building Enterprise Education in Swansea (BEES ? Part of the Swansea Economic Regeneration Strategy). http://www.swansea2020.com/bees
37
longer term we hope the young people involved will have learned something about work and
how what they learn in the classroom has applications in their future.”
“Our students developed the following as a result of taking part;
• Teamwork and how to communicate their ideas,
• Working under pressure to a set deadline,
• Being creative as well as precisely following a recipe,
• Understanding how products are designed and created,
• That working in business can be fun but also stressful!”
Case Study 5 - (International) - Building Enterprising Students Today
(BEST) Project, New Zealand
102
This three?year project developed by the Ministry of Education for pupils aged 1–8 involved 34
schools and 68 teachers, who participated in two separate trials in which they:
• Developed supporting classroom materials – with over 65 activities and units.
• Trialled these materials in classrooms using the Education for Enterprise teaching and
learning approach.
• Conducted research to build the evidence?base supporting Education for Enterprise as a
teaching and learning approach.
The project focussed on ensuring that students learned to be enterprising across a range of business
and community contexts and included guidance on assessment strategies. The trials evidenced that
learning was enhanced beyond what teachers had expected from their students, particularly in the
development of the whole child.
The team concludes that for those teachers who are already well engaged in inquiry learning or
action learning, and who are using a range of learning and thinking tools, the shift towards more
student ownership and engagement in Education for Enterprise activities is not a big one. As
explained by Susan Milne, from St Francis Primary School:
"I have loved every minute of teaching these units of work, and Education for Enterprise has
certainly been a tool for powerful learning in Room 7. … Our unit has really mushroomed and
when I am thinking about confidence, lifelong learners, connectedness, and active
involvement, I couldn’t think of a better example than my students during BEST."
103
102 Based on:http://education?for?enterprise.tki.org.nz (Following a presentation at the 2007 International Conference of
the Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Glasgow).
103 Ibid.
38
Key Findings
• Primary schools offer creative and playful approaches to learning that are interdisciplinary in
nature and challenging in content
• Primary education is predominantly about the individual child
• Children receive a predominantly ‘all school’ holistic experience and this remains the case
within the enterprise activities presented
• Our cases clearly illustrate that enterprise can be embedded successfully and can also help
to develop wider skills
• Once they have understood the approach, teachers in our review enjoyed teaching in an
entrepreneurial way and found it to be a valuable pedagogy
• Our evidence suggests that there is room for CPD and teacher enhancement
39
5. Secondary School Experience
“Schools should normalise entrepreneurship as a career path. All careers services should make it
clear to school leavers that start?ups are an option, albeit a challenging one. Entrepreneurial risk
management will form a key part of this programme in order to maximise the economic
performance of new ventures while simultaneously minimising human and financial costs often
associated with low performance business start?ups. Every school should invite local
entrepreneurs ? ideally developing an ongoing relationship ? to present to pupils about the
advantages and challenges of founding a business.”
104
For schools to address such recommendations is challenging, but not impossible; the good news is
that it is already a good fit with current educational thinking. For example, firstly consider
developing enterprising skills such as being flexible and adaptable, networking and seeking out and
addressing challenges. This is already being considered within the role of play within learning. The
‘Too Much Too Soon’ Campaign
105
has assembled a body of evidence from 130 educationalists who
believe that play during early formative years is essential. One of the team, Cambridge Researcher
and Developmental Psychologist David Whitbread, questions the direction of early years educational
policy and points out that we already know that instructional learning is less effective than informal
learning.
106
Of particular interest to the enterprise education debate is the evidence that play is
entirely spontaneous and unpredictable, and that overly restrictive scheduling of playtime and
supervision negatively impacts on risk adverseness. The emphasis on formal assessment at
secondary further inhibits spontaneous, more creative teaching.
These arguments suggest that playful activities that are often confined to early years learning, yet
they develop and test learners’ knowledge and behaviours in a way that ultimately leads to meta?
cognitive and self?regulating abilities in adulthood,
107
something we wish to achieve. However, as
the OECD reported a decade ago, as schooling develops it becomes more restrictive and more tightly
managed. The Key Stage Framework, with its focus on tests and tasks around English, maths and
science, coupled with a more silo?based approach to ‘delivering learning’, exacerbates this. In
consequence subject?based assessments, tests and examinations have become increasingly
concerned with knowledge retention, which in turn is usually related to a single topic or subject. The
net result is that we have been consistently told that creativity and innovation for enterprise are
largely pushed out of the classroom and into extra?curricular and voluntary activities.
The ‘Ready Unlimited’ team in Rotherham are well aware of the mindset shift that young people
have to make, as have been many other educationalists with which we have spoken. In ‘Harnessing
Enterprise to Support Transition from Primary to Secondary Education’,
108
Ready Unlimited offer
104 Small Business Taskforce (2014). An Enterprising Nation: The Final Report of the Small Business Taskforce,
Commissioned by the Labour Party.
105http://www.toomuchtoosoon.org
106 See:http://www.cam.ac.uk/research/discussion/school?starting?age?the?evidence
107 See:http://www.importanceofplay.eu/IMG/pdf/dr_david_whitebread_?_the_importance_of_play.pdf
108 Rotherham Ready (2011). Enterprise and Transition: Harnessing Enterprise to Support Transition from Primary to
Secondary Education. Rotherham, Rotherham Ready (Now ‘Ready Unlimited).
40
three enterprise?related case studies that illustrate bridging activities for both staff and pupils. Based
on the premise that a young person’s enterprise learning journey should be gradual, they suggest
that harnessing and celebrating enterprise skills can help social adjustment, institutional adjustment
and can also assist transition through opportunities to ensure a degree of continuity within the
curriculum. Creative freedom and business insights are a feature of all of the cases, and each case
includes a ‘so what’ section that showcases positive pupil feedback. Funds raised were fed back into
activities that supported pupil transition.
The Government’s recent publications include some telling lines, for example, “The new
programmes of study set out what should be taught by the end of each key stage,”
109
which
indicates that pre?determined goals will consistently lead the learning process; it is a style of writing
that does not engender creative or innovative thought that challenges norms and considers new
ways of thinking. Moreover, the primary aim of the new National Curriculum is almost entirely
focused around knowledge.
“The national curriculum provides pupils with an introduction to the essential knowledge that
they need to be educated citizens. It introduces pupils to the best that has been thought and
said; and helps engender an appreciation of human creativity and achievement.”
110
The use of the term ‘appreciation’ has connotations that the learners will simply understand topics
under discussion; it does not suggest that they will be able to perform. The OECD contest that we
need to bring education to task on this, and consider the holistic and more connectable needs of the
21
st
century when developing new and effective education systems, especially if they are intended to
respond to social and economic problems
111
. However, ‘learning to the test’ has become a way to hit
league tables and other more easily measurable targets.
However there are pockets of expertise within the UK that can inform an alternative approach. The
Welsh Department of Education and Skills has been tasked with developing ‘Essential Skills’, and
they have been drawing heavily on the enterprise education agenda. As Hazel Israel of the Welsh
Government’s Department for Education and Skills explains:
“It is widely acknowledged that such behaviours as initiative, independence, creativity,
decision making and flexibility are highly prized in adult life and yet traditional more formal
educational methods often struggle to explicitly and actively accommodate, promote and
nurture these essential skills. Where these attributes are developed by young people it is
almost in spite of their formal education and, for too many learners, the narrow and limited
subject disciplines and focus on exams as important performance measures, switch them off
learning altogether. Real life is meaningful, relevant and engaging and rarely looks like a
classroom.”
112
109 Department for Education (2013). Assessing Without Levels.
110 Department for Education (2013). The National Curriculum in England: Framework Document, Aims 3.1, 6.
111 Mulford, B. (2003). School Leaders: Challenging Roles and Impact on Teacher and School Effectiveness. Tasmania,
OECD / University of Tasmania.
112 Israel, H (Senior Project Manager for Skills Development) Correspondence from the Welsh Government’s Department
for Education and Skills (DfES)
41
Of particular note in the Welsh scheme is that it is all based on action?led as opposed to theory?led
learning, which in turn responds to some of the comments about play:
“The vision of the revised WBQ is to nurture the development of a more rounded, coherent
and holistic concept of learning, delivered through a series of engaging and meaningful
learning experiences, across and through which learners can actively make decisions about
what to learn and how to learn it. In order for learners to be able to take increasing
responsibility for their learning they will need the skills and supporting attributes, autonomy
and developmental space.”
113
This fits well with our discussion, as action?based learning is acknowledged to offer more meaningful
experiences through which learners can evolve their own understandings of situations and contexts.
However when headteachers with 25 years experience blog about the misery of working in
schools
114
and the limitations of a reductive examinations system that is designed to make it easy to
mark rather than helping to develop any kind of flair,
115
it becomes clear that some kind of revisiting
of the educational system needs to be undertaken.
It should be stressed that much of the above discussion is far from new, and that as far back as 2005
OFSTED noted evidence from inspections that suggested that enterprise education is very
motivational and can result in behaviour change and improved teaching and learning.
116
In 2010 the
Department for Children, Schools and Families, ‘A Guide to Enterprise Education: For Enterprise
Coordinators, teachers and Leaders at Schools’, reflected on more extensive and similar findings by
Dubit, Brightpurpose and the Young People’s Enterprise Forum.
117
This suggests that educators
wishing to develop enterprise skills should do so under the OFSTED sections A2.10 “the extent to
which pupils develop workplace and other skills that will contribute to their future economic
wellbeing”, A.4.2 “the leadership and management of teaching and learning” and A.4.8 “the
effectiveness with which the school promotes community cohesion”. Bodies such as the BIS
supported Enterprise Village
118
and other providers are also listed in this comprehensive document.
More recent support from Enterprise Village includes a measurement tool for Enterprise
Education
119
.
When investigating OFSTED Guidance for Inspectors the review team felt that there appeared to be
something of a gap in terms of clarity in stakeholder engagement. Whilst inspectors should consider
“the extent to which pupils, parents and staff are committed to the vision and ambition of leaders,
managers and governors”
120
, there is no overt provision for wider inclusion of broader community
113 ibid.
114http://johntomsett.wordpress.com/20...?resisting?the?misery?of?life?in?our?schools/
Posted on December 28, 2013
115http://johntomsett.wordpress.com/20...t?the?lack?of?space?for?student?flair?in?our?
examination?system/ Posted on December 15, 2013
116 OFSTED (2005). Developing enterprising young people. London, OFSTED.
117 Department for Children, S. a. F. (2010). A Guide to Enterprise Education: For Enterprise Coordinators, teachers and
Leaders at Schools. Nottingham, Department for Children, Schools and Families Publications in collaboration with Dubit,
Brightpurpose and Young People’s Enterprise Forum (YPEF).
118http://www.enterprisevillage.org.uk
119http://www.enterprisevillage.org.uk/resources/1015/
120 OFSTED (2014). School inspection handbook. No.120101.
42
perspectives, or for example, the views of business. In essence, the reliance is upon governors to
fulfil this role. Moreover, achievement can only be recorded against the formal curriculum, and the
performance and effectiveness indicators do little to enhance externalisation. This appears to be a
major shortfall and may be exacerbating the issues for educators.
OFSTED continue to monitor provision and to critique shortfalls such as a reliance on written work as
opposed to more meaningful and aligned assessment strategies; there is however a persistent
theme in their reporting which may give cause for concern. Specifically they do not appear to
consider the development of enterprising mindsets, and the reporting has a heavy reliance on more
tangible aspects such as knowledge about the economy and business.
121
What OFSTED mention in
terms of who does the teaching and their questions pertaining to how capable they are as educators
in enterprise, is of particular interest and would appear to also apply to OFSTED themselves:
“The main weaknesses in whole?school enterprise education provision, both in the primary
and secondary schools surveyed, were a lack of coherence and a failure to identify and assess
learning outcomes… Many of the teachers deployed to deliver aspects of enterprise education
were non?specialists, who had little or no training or experience of this area. This limited their
confidence and ability to teach effectively. This was particularly the case in relation to
economic and business understanding and financial capability for students in the secondary
schools.”
122
In concluding remarks OFSTED comment on the lack of progress being made in understanding
assessment related to the learning, stating that half of the schools visited failed to make any kind of
meaningful assessment. This has serious implications, as not only is any data derived from such
evaluations flawed, the reasons behind this shortfall is that the educators are poorly equipped to
undertake such roles.
In 2013, ‘The Enterprise Generation: A Report on Enterprise Education in the UK’ suggests that
“Failing to equip young people properly has an estimated £28 billion loss to the economy”, and
highlights the CBI’s estimate that “better education could add £8 trillion to the UK’s GDP over the
lifetime of a child born today – the equivalent of 1% to GDP each year.”
123
Their key messages are:
• For Government to say clearly and simply that enterprise education is important;
• For schools to engage more readily with business;
• For employers to engage in work?related learning and enterprise education.
None of this is lost on the European Commission, who convened two transnational events and
engaged approximately 170 delegates from more than 30 countries, in order to showcase best
practice from across Member States, Accession Countries and other partners. They concluded that:
121 OFSTED reports on Economics, business and enterprise are available at:http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection?
reports/our?expert?knowledge/economics?business?and?enterprise
122 OFSTED (2011). Economics, business and enterprise education. London.
123http://www.enterprise?education.org...es?new?report?on?enterprise?education?in?the?
uk
43
“Teachers have a central role, as they have a strong impact of the attainment of learners.
Reflective teachers keep their practice under constant review and adjust it in the light of
desired learning outcomes and of the individual needs of students. As a key competence,
entrepreneurship does not necessarily involve a specific school subject. Rather, it requires a
way of teaching in which experiential learning and project work have a main role. Teachers do
not provide students with the answers, but help them to research and identify the right
questions and find the best answers.”
124
The EU also makes their policy drive clear ? in a way that aligns well with much of what we have
discussed:
“Member States should foster entrepreneurial skills through new and creative ways of
teaching and learning from primary school onwards, alongside a focus from secondary to
higher education on the opportunity of business creation as a career destination. Real world
experience, through problem?based learning and enterprise links, should be embedded across
all disciplines and tailored to all levels of education. All young people should benefit from at
least one practical entrepreneurial experience before leaving compulsory education”.
125
Externalisation and understanding the value of connectedness beyond the school is also emphasised
as part of the role of the entrepreneurial teacher:
“They seek to close the gap between education and economy and include external experts in
their teaching; focusing on real?life experiences…They follow an adaptable study plan and
prefer interdisciplinary, project?based learning; using training material rather than textbooks.
They put emphasis on group processes and interactions; and understand the class room
sometimes as a ‘clash room’, giving room for diversity…”
126
The Minister for State for Skills and Enterprise recently set the challenge to inspire the next
generation of entrepreneurs through ‘If You Were Running Britain’,
127
However, as is demonstrated
here, the question appears to be less about what we need to discover about what is required, and
more about why this has not been implemented already.
The following cases are offered to illustrate progressive work and the views being expressed to us
during our investigations.
Case Study 6 - The Gazelle Colleges Group Schools Initiative
The Gazelle Colleges Group started to investigate the potential for developing enterprise within
schools. At their inaugural meeting in London a number of familiar themes emerged such as at what
age should we start? Why have only brave small groups like ‘Ready Unlimited’ in Rotherham
124 European Commission (2013). Entrepreneurship Education: A guide for Educators, European Commission.
125 ibid, 3. Extracted from European Commission (2012) Rethinking Education: Investing in Skills for Better Socio?economic
Outcomes
126 ibid
127http://www.mykindacrowd.com/Challenges/if?you?were?running?britain
44
emerged? Is it only the more deprived areas, which due to high unemployment and social need are
truly embracing the school enterprise education agenda? Could it be only the more wealthy
opportunity seeking schools that will engage ? and what about the missing middle if this is the case?
128
Michael Haymen (Chair) highlighted the desperate nature of the landscape and asked, “Where are
the early adopters and how can we harness the knowledge already out there?” He also asked the
provocative question as to whether or not school education was holding Britain back?
There was a general sense throughout the meeting that the group and the people they hoped to
represent at this formative meeting faced significant challenges. Claire Young, former Lord Sugar
Apprentice and entrepreneur questioned:
“Is there a dialogue opportunity with OFSTED? It takes great bravery to develop these kinds of
skills when jobs are on the line.”
The group was in agreement that models needed to focus on innovation at all levels and in accord
with the Welsh model, it requires entrepreneurs who understand teaching ? so that they can inform
the classroom environment
129
. Fintan Donohue of The Gazelle Colleges Group stressed that for a
learner to be uncertain and at times uncomfortable goes against the predictability of traditional
learning strategies, and that the Babson approach employed by The Gazelle Colleges Group in
Further Education already encompassed this.
130
The group acknowledged that they were generally unaware of advances in the Higher Education
sector and neither were they familiar with any European or international initiatives. This highlighted
the lack of continuity within education and reflected opening comments from the HE sector, whose
2010 IEEC Concordat called for more integration, recognition and clearer ways forward throughout
the entire education system.
131
Denise Ramsay of UnLtd, having undertaken recent pilot work in schools observed that some schools
felt that enterprise was seen to be elitist and had something of an identity crisis, suggesting that it
was often confused as simply money making and not about the social issues. In her view, getting
teachers and parents on board were the critical factors. Denise also made a point about pupils’
vision and visionary skills, as very few at the age of 11?13 that she had encountered had any sense of
a career, so for her enterprise education was less about becoming a goal and more about instilling
essential skills and abilities for later education and opportunities.
128 The first meetings of the Gazelle Schools Group took place at the Institute of Arbitrators in central London on
December 5th 2013.
129 Big Ideas Wales is a Government funded initiative which recruits entrepreneurs who wish to support education. They
receive training over one and a half days and have to commit to running at least 10 inspirational sessions over a two?year
period. See: http://ms.fs4b.wales.gov.uk/sub_sit...cts/role_models/become_a_role_model/whats_inv
olved.aspx
130 See:http://www.gazellecolleges.com/entrepreneurial?colleges
131 op. cit.http://ieec.co.uk/?page_id=201
45
In many ways Denise saw the ‘evangelistic entrepreneur’ as a problem as well as a solution, as she
had witnessed learners being turned off by inappropriate presentations and money?led exercises. In
her view, creativity, innovation and confidence building provided most effective learning
interventions, though this was not unilaterally agreed.
The group confirmed that, in their view, online resources were readily available and that new
resources was not the issue. The key to success, in their view, would be to get enterprise into the
curriculum at all levels as opposed to developing more online guidance, preferably embedded as
opposed to developing any kind of additional or bolt?on commitment.
Some definitional discussions took place and with the exception of the Gazelle Colleges Group
model, no other definitional stances were known amongst the group. However, the concept of
developing the enterprising mind?set as the early learning priority, and through this enhancing
entrepreneurship as the business?development side of learning, met with general consensus.
Some key and consistent points included:
• Engagement in more creativity and innovation in secondary education was an essential
element, and that much of the good work being undertaken at primary level on developing
creativity was not being enhanced nor built upon, rather it was being lost through secondary
schooling measurement and assessment strategies.
• Entrepreneurs, small business owners and educators need more interaction and that
inclusive networks to inform progress would be an aim of the group.
• More evidence and research as to best practice was needed, and the group wished to
engage with broader stakeholders, for example to Higher Education or International
developers and policy makers.
• The pipeline of enterprise education was not being considered or strategically developed
and in consequence, champions within educational establishments were undertaking good
but piecemeal work.
In closing remarks the chair agreed that they supported the policy direction of the APPG for Micro
Businesses ? Education sub group and highlighted however, that in his view and as things stood, The
Gazelle Colleges Group would not be the status quo, but remain the challenger to the norm.
Case Study 7 - Business Studies Teacher, North East England
In their own words, this teacher communicates frustration and uncertainty about the future, the lack
of recognition and support and the championing nature of those who feel as if they are fighting the
system, not working within it:
“Enterprise education in schools is somewhat of a fad, its importance rises and falls on the
whim of the incumbent secretary of state. Therefore there is no stability in its provision,
specialist enterprise teachers can’t be trained whilst formal qualifications are minimal, none
46
are recognised under the current exam structure (good GCSEs), but that seems to change
month by month at the moment.”
“In my experience, it's a willing volunteer (usually a business teacher) that gives up their
breaks, lunches and time after school to try and motivate young people to being enterprising.
In public schools and state schools in leafy suburbs I am sure there are no end of students who
are motivated, enterprising and desperate to set up their own venture. However in inner city
schools it's a very different story. Just getting students to turn up for a meeting about
enterprise is an achievement in itself. With generations of unemployment at home these
students have no work ethic and few enterprising thoughts. The volunteer who is steering the
group generally has to spoon feed the group ideas, do all the planning, collect the necessary
resources then hope to God that the students turn up to the event so that they can be
manipulated by them; essentially the students are just marionettes wheeled out every now
and again to tick the enterprise box and keep the Principal sweet for a few months. There's no
beating down of the teacher’s door by creative, innovative and enterprising students
saying, "Sir, I have had a great idea or can we do this or run this type of event." And as for
mentors provided by organisations that encourage enterprise in young people, forget it –
more often than not they don't turn up!”
“To improve the current situation, there are several things I would like to see happen;
• Firstly, focus on enterprise at primary level, encouraging students to be enterprising at a
young age must surely make things easier down the line.
• Secondly, make timetabled enterprise lessons at secondary level compulsory. We must be
missing out on some of the greatest entrepreneurs, simply because young people don’t get
the chance to develop these skills.
• Thirdly, focus on developing enterprise skills in every lesson, not by having a shop in the
corner but by embedding enterprise skills in to all lessons and informing students the skills
that are being developed in that particular lesson.
• Finally, the Government should stop meddling with enterprise policy. A period of stability
would allow more teachers to specialize, more resources to be developed and possibly more
meaningful enterprise qualifications to be offered.”
Case Study 8 - Julie Derrick, Headteacher, Invicta Grammar School, Kent
Business Partnerships Pay Off
Invicta Grammar school in Kent has based its approach to enterprise education around partnerships
with outside organizations. Headteacher Julie Derrick says:
“A good partnership with local businesses has enabled the students at Invicta Grammar School to
gain an understanding of business and enterprise in a real context. It brings the outside world into
the school and has enabled our students to be far more aware of what is required of them in the
world of work.”
47
“Specific relationships that Invicta have been developing include the local Chamber of Commerce,
Leeds Castle, Chatham Historic Dockyard, and HSBC to name but a few.”
“We work closely with Kent Invicta Chamber, who use their contacts to help us with visits, and
presentations… We have had a long and very successful partnership with the Young Chamber. We
meet with them at the end of each academic year and plan the next one, so that they have our
programme and can work with us to organise speakers. This year we have worked very closely with
HSBC to build financial capability into our Enrichment Day programmes. HSBC have also been very
helpful in enabling students to attend Network Meetings which also provides girls with an insight
into the importance of ‘who you know’.”
Invicta operate monthly Enrichment Days in which the timetable is suspended for a day. The days
are themed and mostly delivered on a year group basis, though some are whole?school days. Julie
says,
“We chose to use Enrichment Days because they give the school a prime opportunity to use and
develop links with business, and allow students to immerse themselves in activities which develop
their enterprise skills and attitudes.”
“Invicta’s Enrichment Days are planned an academic year in advance. A team of staff with
responsibility for WRL, PSHEE, Enterprise, and Financial Capability map the year out for each year
group.”
“This year we have taken this a step further and one member of staff is going to be responsible for
each year group. The themes the school chooses are largely topical… done by brainstorming what
we consider to be the focus of the school. For example, in 2013 our focus has been on raising
achievement and self esteem but in 2014, it is public speaking.”
“Enrichment Days inevitably include aspects of problem solving, financial capability, team work, risk
taking and general entrepreneurial attitude. Every Enrichment Day is audited and the outcomes are
collated. The days have enabled students to work using their enterprise skills with real business
people. Wherever possible, they involve visiting speakers, or visits to real businesses to bring the
activity to life.”
“An example of an effective Enrichment Day is the Year 9 People in Profile Day, which exposed
students to a series of outside speakers from a whole host of local businesses – the local council,
small, medium and larger local businesses. Examples are Zen Languages, a language training
company, who spoke to them about how they had got to where they were now. The students did
some ‘speed networking’, working in groups to find out where each person came from, what they
did, and what they have learnt along the way.”
“Following this, the students had a presentation on what makes a good interview. They were then
given the opportunity to put this information into practice immediately through a series of scenarios
where they had to prepare for, and be, interviewed. Most pupils found this a real challenge and felt
that they were made to think on the spot etc. After they had navigated this challenge, the students
48
had to research and prepare a 10 minute presentation on someone they felt was an important
figure?head. They used their knowledge of careers, and interview techniques to analyse the person
and evaluate whether they were in fact ‘People in Profile’.”
“Despite the fact that Enrichment Days are a real challenge for them, students' always give very
positive feedback. They enjoy being put in challenging situations, having to problem solve and work
in teams. The feedback from the business people was good too – they have all said they would love
to do it again.”
“Another very strong partnership that has undoubtedly brought the real life enterprise skills into
school is our Leeds Castle link. Working with the British Council, a group of students travelled to
Milan and worked with a business school to design fabric, which was then manufactured in Italy. This
has now been made into cushions, specially designed for Leeds Castle, and are now being sold at the
Castle. This very successful project supported another parallel project. A competition was organized
whereby Leeds Castle set students the task of designing a character that could be used to
merchandise the castle. This was used as a Design Technology brief for A?Level students and formed
part of their coursework. The winning design has now been used as a basis for a whole series of
merchandise products, which are on sale at the Castle.”
“Equally, we have had A?Level Business Studies students carry out a marketing survey to help the
Castle review aspects of their portfolio and as a result, they have changed their pricing structure. All
of these projects have not only resulted in some very positive outcomes for Leeds Castle, but they
have provided real life projects for students which have not only been more meaningful, and
therefore motivating, but they have supported students’ A?Level and GCSE work and Curriculum
Vitae.”
“The projects outlined above are just a couple of examples of how successful collaboration has
helped business and education, helped students to secure superb CVs and personal statements for
either work or university. But, most importantly, it has provided them with leadership and problem
solving skills that they would not have developed until they were in the world of work.”
“More projects of this nature should be developed to help students be enterprising. We believe that
all students should have real life experiences. It would really help schools and businesses if this
partnership were to be supported by Government. For the first time this year, we have introduced
Business and Enterprise into our Year 7 curriculum. All students have a one?hour lesson whereby
they develop their knowledge of business and practice entrepreneurial skills. To see such young
students so animated and interested in developing these skills says everything. We have had nothing
but very positive feedback from students, parents and businesses. This should be compulsory for
all!”
49
Case Study 9 - Our Way, Plymstock School
“To create a social enterprise that encourages the use of languages in your school”.
The ‘Our Way’ Trade Experiment was created in January 2013 by a group of Year 10 students
following a challenge set by the Real Ideas Organisation.
‘Our Way’ is an agency set up to promote and support local businesses in the South West with the
objective of increasing sales across the UK, but also to introduce their partners’ products and
services to the French market. The team are truly committed to making an impact through business,
both economically and socially in south?west UK and Brittany in north?west France, whilst proving to
young people that learning a language is much more than just passing an exam – it’s a life skill that
will give them the best possible footings for their future.
Since its inception, Our Way has undergone a branding process, created a host of marketing
materials, attended local events and researched and engaged local businesses whilst generating
positive media coverage through newspapers, magazines, radio and a local news channel.
Joe, the Business Development and Account Manager, explains ‘Our Way’ as he sees it:
“Our Trade Experiment Company, Our Way, is designed to provide local businesses in the South
West with opportunities that will directly impact their sales and business performance in the UK, but
also introduce their businesses, goods or services to the French market. We have a very strong
identity and have worked really hard to develop a style?guide so that the businesses that we work
with know and understand our image and we can work with companies in the South West that fit
our style. These four style guides are that each company must be based in the South West and
completely traceable, have products or services that are unique, quirky and fresh, with products or
services that are of high quality and are ethical with a vintage renewal flavour.”
“The first companies to sign up as ‘Our Way’ partners are The Cornish Crisp Company, Bloomberry
Juice, Blue Horyzon, Sarah Drew and the Traditional Surf Company. These are real companies who
have gained through the work of the team, which has raised the profile of the companies through
social media and direct marketing strategies.”
“In their first year the ‘Our Way’ team have held business meetings in France using and developing
their language skills, traded at the Business Innovation Service in London and presented at a
National Business Conference also in London. They have recently received a prestigious
International Market Builders award from RIO. ‘Our Way’ has been featured in the International
Trade Digest and several other business publications.”
“As individuals the team members have blossomed. They have grown in confidence and gained
valuable business and life skills. They present confidently to large audiences and have impressive
CVs. Through ‘Our Way’ they have arranged work experience at BIS, experienced travel and the
world of business.”
50
“In order to promote similar activities in school, a drive to engage Business partners and some
incentives for participation would help. Organisations like RIO have an incredible effect on
motivation with students making the best of the opportunities and challenges on offer.”
“Any funding from central Government should be focusing on REAL projects such as this not artificial
simulation of the business world.”
Case Study 10 - Studio Schools
The Kirklees Creative and Media Studio School
Studio Schools
132
Based on an online review, Studio Schools are a new concept in education that seeks to address the
growing gap between the skills and knowledge that young people require to succeed, and those that
the current education system provides. Studio Schools pioneer a new approach to learning, which
includes teaching through enterprise projects and real work. This approach is intended to ensure
that students' learning in is rooted in the real world and helps them to develop the skills they need
to flourish in life.
Studio Schools are designed for 14?19 year olds of all abilities. They are usually small schools for 300
students; and with year?round opening and a 9?5 working day. The intention is that they feel more
like a workplace than a school, and they work closely with local employers. Studio Schools offer a
range of academic and vocational qualifications, as well as paid work placements linked directly to
employment opportunities in the local area. Students gain a broad range of employability and life
skills through a skills framework called CREATE, and have the option to go on to university, further
training, and into employment.
The Kirklees Creative and Media Studio School (KCMSS) was the first Studio School to open its doors
in 2010. There are now 27 Studio Schools in the UK with another 13 opening soon.
Kirklees Creative and Media Studio School
133
Recently described by the Education Minister as outstanding, the KCMSS sees businesses and pupils
working side by side. What makes KCMSS different is not what is offered but how it is delivered: they
take learning out of a traditional classroom setting, teaching the curriculum through real?life
enterprise themed projects in the school and the surrounding community. Post 14 and 16 students
thus benefit from studying business?friendly qualifications in an environment that allows them to
apply what they have learnt in the classroom directly into real life business situations. Some of the
pupils even get paid for doing so.
132
http://www.studioschoolstrust.org
133
http://studio?school.org.uk/about
51
The school chose to specialise in creative and media disciplines as there is a wealth of expertise and
success around Kirklees and West Yorkshire where these businesses and services are concerned.
Demand for learning creative and enterprising subjects is high with some of the most successful
courses at the local University of Huddersfield being Media, Art, Textiles and Business.
An Innovative Personalised Curriculum
134
Students at KCMSS are taught the national curriculum and study for formal qualifications through
enquiry?based learning with each student meeting regularly a personal coach to help tailor the
curriculum to their individual needs and aspirations.
Students’ learning is delivered through enterprise themed projects in the school, local businesses
and the community. For example, one project ? commissioned by a local charity – required students
to address the question “How can I tell the story of Macbeth to young offenders”. By engaging with
the brief, students learned about the text and used their creativity to develop a product that
narrated the story to a target audience. Prototypes of the end product were pitched to the charity.
Students who are on the Level 2 learning pathway (14?16 year olds) get the opportunity to study a
variety of academic and vocational subjects, achieving both BTEC and GCSE qualifications. Level 3
students aged 16 and over will study one BTEC subject from a list of subjects under three main
headings: Creative Arts and Media, Fashion and Textiles, and Performing Arts. They will also study
for a BTEC in Business Studies. Level 3 students also have the option of a work placement to enhance
their learning.
Community and Business Engagement
Local creative and media businesses have played an active part in the development of the KCMSS
model from the outset. They helped plan the interim pilot (launched in September 2008) and helped
develop the proposal for a fully?fledged Studio School.
Strong employer engagement has allowed the school to ensure that employability and enterprise
runs through all aspects of the curriculum. Students thus not only gain key qualifications, but
develop the important employability skills and enterprising behaviours that employers have felt
lacking in school leavers for far too long.
Local creative and media businesses are not only linked with the school but located within the school
itself, providing real?time business activity to complement each student’s studies, developing the
business awareness and knowledge that will enable each student to explore their own potential. By
developing numeracy, literacy and presentation skills in a ‘work’ environment, each young person
has improved career options and a better chance of achieving their career goals.
Students work on real, creative and commercial assignments, developing the skills to be effective
and motivated employees. Students rub shoulder to shoulder with creative and media businesses
134http://www.studioschoolstrust.org/sites/default/files/Introduction%20to%20SST%20projects%202013.pdf
52
every day, creating an environment where students can be mentored and given advice by successful
business men and women.
Actual Business Start?up
The Kirklees Youth Enterprise Centre (KYEC)
135
is a hub for young people aged 14 to 19 to develop
their business ideas and create successful enterprises, offering support for a third post?school option
– self?employment. Based within KCMSS, it was opened in January 2014 as part of a £4.9m project
supported by the Department of Education and the European Regional Development Fund.
A team of dedicated business coaches have been put into the KYEC to help young people develop
their business ideas. Young entrepreneurs currently have the opportunity to present their business
plan to a ‘Dragons Den’ panel and access up to £5000 in start?up grant funding. In order to inspire
young people into entrepreneurship, the KYEC has organised a rolling programme of workshops and
inspirational talks delivered by local successful business people and high profile personalities. So far
25 businesses have been set up through KYEC after pitching their business plans to a panel of
‘Dragons’ made up of local business people and external advisors. These businesses range from
Artists to DJs, and Filmmakers to Sculptors.
Links with University
The KCMSS has forged close links with the University of Huddersfield where Professor Tim Thornton,
Pro Vice Chancellor for Teaching and Learning says:
“The blend of education, enterprise and applied business experience that students of the Creative
and Media Studio School will enjoy, will be unique and of real and enduring benefit. The concept of
the school and its performance to date already show that it is delivering the future of education for
students looking for something more and something different out of their time at school. This is
something that the university is keen to take a proactive role in.”
“KCMSS students benefit from visits to the University; further joint projects are currently being
explored. KCMSS have recently come to an agreement with The University of Huddersfield that
ensures all Year 13 students who pass their level 3 courses and have English/Maths GCSE grade C or
above will be given an automatic place at the university on an appropriate course.”
“One of the things that make Studio Schools unique, above and beyond the above commentary, is
their approaches to the assessment of pupil attainment. The CREATE Framework considers
Communication, Relating to others, Enterprise, Application of learning, Thinking and judgment and
Emotional intelligence. Based on the requirements of employers and future opportunities, CREATE
appears to be a clear and comprehensive way of evaluating performance in a constructively aligned
way, to the needs of both industry and the pupils themselves.”
135
http://www.kyec.org.uk/
53
“…extensive research shows that equipping young people with employability skills alone is not
enough. In a competitive and uncertain world, young people also need to think creatively, build
resilience and be able to respond effectively to rapidly changing circumstances. The evidence
suggests that embedding creativity and an ability to respond successfully to change is vital…”
136
Kirklees received special mention in an evaluation of the Studio Schools Trust by the Edge
Foundation, who considered that their enterprise and business engagement was “pushing the
envelope” whilst managing day?to?day issues.
137
However, on the ground things are a little tougher
to manage and the right kind of teacher is critical to success. In order to meet of the conflicting
demands, teachers need to be flexible and manage the learning in very adaptive ways. Director
Laura Lee explains:
“There are barriers at times to setting business projects and "real?life" scenarios within a
national curriculum, mainly the core subjects and examination based subjects. The format for
these qualifications are less flexible so it is tricky at times to respond to business ideas, offers
for placements and also project outcomes. Schools will never compromise the future options
for the students, so with this in mind we always have to balance the necessary learning
demands of the qualification against the development of essential employability skills,
which working with business partners help to develop.
“The point I am making is to ensure there is a realistic expectation between the demands of
qualifications (which is what schools are judged on at the end of the day ? all schools!) and the
contact between students and businesses. The creative subjects at our school are delivered
through BTEC which enables more flexibility to work with business partners. For Level 3
students this type of qualification makes up most of their timetable. This means they are able
to select units in line with particular and current business projects. The teacher has more
control over how to manage these students’ time and deadlines; it works more like a jigsaw
for the teacher.
In this scenario, teachers have to be flexible and willing to respond to businesses/industry
within short notice time?frames. Essentially the whole model is challenging, however, it can be
achieved with careful management and the right type of staffing. Previous industry experts
who are now teachers have proven to be the best performers in this type of model. That is my
opinion. They are able to respond quicker, they are not too hung up on typical teaching
pedagogy and have an understanding of how to handle the 'business' side of things. With
these staff, these students are constantly being assessed against their employability skills
because the teacher has been there, bought the t?shirt and worn it!”
136 The Studio Schools CREATE Skills Framework. Available online at: http://www.studioschoolstrust.org/sites/default/files/CREATE Handout Oct 2012.pdf
137 Hendry, E. and T. Sharpe (2013). An evaluation of the Studio Schools Trust and its role in raising the status of practical
and vocational learning. London, Edge Foundation.
54
Case Study 11 - Monmouth Comprehensive School
The school nestles on the Welsh side of a border that is only a mile and a half away, and attracts
many English as well as Welsh pupils. This offers an opportunity to view the educational system from
both perspectives, and as a case study is quite unique. It addresses the Welsh perspective on
education, and parents and pupils directly reflect on the comparisons that can be made with English
education and recent directives. One of the key points made by the Headmaster during the
interview with him was the value of the Welsh Baccalaureate and how this not only incorporated
enterprise within it, but it also facilitated a much more holistic approach to education. This appealed
to many parents of pupils from over the border. As Vaughan Davies, Headmaster at Monmouth
explains:
“The introduction of the Welsh Bacc at the school and the ambition of Welsh Government to
make this qualification the keystone around which education in Wales is built support our
direction of travel in creating learning for the 21
st
century. The holistic approach, authentic
learning, students leading the learning, recognising the skills and attitudes that employers and
communities are looking for, which form the centre of the Welsh Bacc, chime with what we
are looking to create.”
“At our school the desire to build an inter?disciplinary approach to learning with students at
the centre has helped us move forward with raising expectations and standards. The fruits of
this work are emerging and in some areas we have made progress with outcomes.”
“The outcomes that we are seeing are:
• Improved attitudes to learning – measured by attendance, behaviour and progress data.
• Teaching that is learner focused and collaborative – through lesson observations and
training.
• Students preparing to go further than the glass ceiling of national assessment criteria, from
outcomes for student?led investigations at KS3.
• More creative approaches to learning – through diversity in the way learning and progress is
measured and training for teachers that allows them to lead with the national frameworks
for learning, rather than deliver programmes of study.
• Greater inclusion as all learners are recognised for their unique ways of learning and how
they can contribute to the learning of others – through student responses to learning
discussions.”
“A part of the interview considered the different ways in which children learn and the value of self?
discovery. To some teachers this remained a challenge, however the school’s ambitions were clear
and a staff training day is planned that is based on what Higher Education wants – with a focus on
the QAA’s Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Guidance.”
A note on the Welsh Baccalaureate is below:
55
“The Welsh Baccalaureate was introduced to provide learners with a more rounded educational
experience. It enriches and incorporates existing general and vocational qualifications. It is designed
to prepare learners for higher education and employment.
Following the Review of Qualifications in Wales (2012), the core of the revised Welsh Baccalaureate
will have a clear focus on the following skills: Literacy, Numeracy, Digital Literacy, Critical Thinking
and Problem Solving, Planning and Organisation, Creativity and Innovation and Personal
Effectiveness.
These skills will be developed, applied and assessed through the completion of four 'Challenges',
which will be delivered through the thematic contexts of Community, Global Citizenship, Enterprise
and Employability, and an Individual Project.
It is the intention that these challenges will afford learners the developmental space and autonomy
to make decisions about what to learn and how to learn. In this way learners will be able to draw
from their learning across the curriculum to find and solve real life problems and undertake enquiry?
based learning in authentic contexts.
The Welsh Government is working with a wide range of organisations such as museums, Cadw,
Natural Resources Wales, small and large employers and HEIs to design challenges, which enable
learners to engage constructively with wide?ranging local and national organisations in order to
develop and improve their skills.”
138
Key Findings
• The limited use of playfulness and inquiry?based experiential learning strategies was evident
in our review; however in some cases enthused educators and innovative leadership were
overcoming this limitation.
• Knowledge retention that is easily measured and evaluated dominates the secondary school
learning environment.
• Our review suggests that there is a lack of development in terms of knowledge harvesting
and the challenging of norms though the use of active inquiry techniques.
• Teachers are most concerned about OFSTED and the inspection system, and that most of
their enterprising activities are perceived to be alternative methodologies that work around
current restraints.
• OFSTED inspectors appear to be missing opportunities to assist pupil learning with the
broader community and businesses – because their guidance does not specify such activities
clearly.
• Reports from OFSTED suggest a serious demand for improved leadership and teacher
capability, especially in secondary schools.
138 Description supplied by the Senior Manager for Welsh Baccalaureate and Skills Welsh Government,Department for
Education and Skills (DfES), Qualifications and Regulation Division, General Qualifications Regulation and Development
Branch
56
• OFSTED’s data and subsequent recommendations need to be considered within their own
limitations.
• We have seen evidence of teaching to the test and teachers predominantly concerned with
what is being measured, as opposed to assisting with the development of the innovative and
entrepreneurial mindset.
• Some work is being done to assist pupils through the transition from Primary to Secondary
School, and evidence suggests that enterprise could be a good vehicle with which to achieve
continuity of learning and confidence building.
• Some of the attributes of studio schools, especially their evaluation of learning approaches,
could be transferable into other types of schooling.
• Of the range of countries considered, England appears to be lagging behind ? this is
especially evident when compared to its neighbours in Scotland and Wales.
• European Guidance and similar initiatives could better inform progress.
• The call from Government that this agenda is important is weak, and has not had any great
impact in England.
57
6. University and Colleges Role
If students of Enterprise Education in Higher Education tend not to engage in start up activities
immediately following graduation, how do we as educators determine our success?”
Dr Colin Jones (2011)
139
Introduction
Over the last 50 years the Higher and Further Education (HE and FE) Sectors in the UK have changed
almost beyond recognition. They have become recognised as key components in delivering future
economic prosperity for the country, aiding the development of a highly skilled workforce and a
thriving small firm sector through collaboration with business, provision of innovation and growth
support, development of potential employees with higher?level and enterprise skills, and through
promotion of business start?up as an alternative career route for entrepreneurial students and
graduates. However the question has to be asked, is this enough, especially when we consider that
in 2014, tertiary?level graduates will emerge into a complex and uncertain world containing a UK
enterprise population that has grown to an estimated 4.9 million private sector businesses.
140
The UCAS 2013 End of Cycle Report
141
painted a picture of increased recruitment at the UK’s
universities and colleges. Some 495,596 students were accepted to full time undergraduate courses ?
6.6% up and the highest total ever recorded. Acceptances of UK students to UK institutions are also
at a record level (433,612; 6.7% up), with young people and the most disadvantaged more likely to
enter higher education than ever before, and despite the changes to the tuition fee arrangements,
numbers of part?time students are showing a worrying decline. Although student numbers are up, it
must be noted they are no longer guaranteed a job upon completion of their studies due to an
economic crisis that left major western nations in search of new ways to rebuild their economies.
Despite their higher level of education, they are faced with a complex and uncertain world as they
look to start a career.
In 2008, the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform reported on the
Government’s renewed strategy and vision to make the UK the most enterprising economy in the
world and the best place to start and grow a business (BERR, 2008
142
). It laid out a new enterprise
policy framework around five separate but interlinked themes as key enablers for the country’s
enterprise performance: culture of enterprise, knowledge and skills, access to finance, regulatory
framework, and business innovation. The report highlighted the need for enterprise education from
primary to tertiary education, the Government’s vision of inspiring an enterprising approach among
students and graduates, and the promotion of innovation as a core driver for enterprise. The current
Government laid out a similar vision in July of their first year of office
143
. Here the need for an
139 Jones, C. (2011). Teaching Entrepreneurship to Undergraduates. Cheltenham and Northampton, Edward Elgar
Publishing.
140 Op. cit, Gagliardi?Main, D. e. a. (2013). ANNUAL REPORT ON EUROPEAN SMEs 2012/2013: A recovery on the Horizon?,
SME Performance Review.
141 UCAS (2013). 2013 Application Cycle: End of Cycle Report, UCAS.
142 BERR (2008). Enterprise: Unlocking the UK’s Talent. London, BERR.
143 BIS (2010). Strategy for Sustainable Growth. London, BIS.
58
enterprising culture in which everyone with talent is inspired to take up the challenge of turning
their ideas into successful enterprises, and the need for enterprise education ? including within
Futher and Higher Education ? was reiterated. Recognition of the need to engage all levels of
education in enterprise and entrepreneurship skills development can also be seen in EU and global
policy (e.g. EC 2006
144
, 2007
145
, and 2013
146
; World Economic Forum, 2009
147
).
Tertiary education institutions offer support to entrepreneurs in two main ways: 1) through
enterprise and entrepreneurship education opportunities to students and recent graduates including
business start?up support, and 2) through business development support – particularly around
growth and innovation – for existing entrepreneurs. This chapter will first explore education for
students and graduates of FE and HE, returning to business development later in the section.
The Further Education Context
Enterprise Education and Entrepreneurship Policy
In 1997, a review commissioned for enterprise agencies and the FE sector in Scotland
148
identified
that enterprise content was a key factor in gearing FE to the attainment of Business Birth Rate and
enterprise. There would appear to be a lull there with enterprise and entrepreneurship education in
FE only becoming highlighted in FE?specific educational policy from around 2006
158
.
Examples of Practice
One major systematic initiative ? the Enterprise Education in FE Initiative
149
? began in September
2006. Led by the Association of Colleges and Manchester Metropolitan University and with support
and funding from three Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), the initiative was designed to
introduce and pilot enterprise in 32 colleges in the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, and the
North West. Each participating college received a grant of £9,000 and nominated three members of
staff to act as enterprise champions. Champions committed to attending a Professional
Development course for their region in order to become familiar with the key concepts relevant to
enterprise education, to develop best practice in terms of both teaching and learning, and to
managing the experience within their college. Enterprise activities ? achieving progress towards
business start?up, fostering innovation skills, generating activity relating to social enterprises or
helping larger corporations undertake corporate enterprise activities, were introduced into 29
different vocational areas through of 74 curriculum pilots and engaging around 16,000 students.
144 European Commission (2006). Implementing the Community Lisbon Programme: Fostering Entrepreneurial Mindsets
Through Education and Learning. Brussels, European Commission.
145 European Union (2007). Entrepreneurship Education in Europe: Fostering Entrepreneurial Mindsets through Education
and Learning. Proceedings of the 2006 Oslo Conference. Oslo.
146 European Commission (2013). Entrepreneurship 2020 Action Plan: Reigniting the entrepreneurial spirit in Europe.
Brussels, European Commission.
147 World Economic Forum (2009). Educating the next wave of entrepreneurs. Geneva.
148 The Carnegie UK Trust (2012). Enterprising Minds Enterprise, further education and the UK economy, The Carnegie UK
Trust.
149 Association of Colleges Enterprise Education in FE Initiative: Directory of Curriculum Pilots.
59
External funding often plays an important role in developing enterprise and entrepreneurship
education opportunities, particularly those involving actual business start?up. This can been seen in
Enterprise Education in FE described above with RDA funding, and in other schemes such as the
Net315 project
150
? named after its intention to help generate 315 new businesses by the end of the
project in 2013 ? which received £5.6 million from the European Regional Development Agency to
support FE colleges in Yorkshire and the Humber. Although delivery funding has now ceased, several
partners, including the Leeds City College who lead Net315, continue to provide business start?up
support for their students.
Although systematic support provided at a national level is limited (see below), iniatives such as the
Gazelle Colleges Group and the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy provide enterprise education
opportunites within linked college groupings. The Gazelle Colleges Group of 20 colleges have a
stated belief that they need to equip their students with an entrepreneurial mindset—to be
confident, innovative, resilient, enterprise?aware and willing to ‘have a go’—in order to prepare
them for personal, social and economic success
151
. The Peter Jones Enterprise Academy
152
works
with 30 FE colleges to provide a range of course including a BTEC Level 3 in Enterprise and
Entrepreneurship.
The National Association of College and University Entrepreneurs (NACUE) was awarded a series of
grants by BIS commencing in 2011 in order to “give every college and university student in England
access to an enterprise society by 2015”
153
; 60 FE colleges will have an enterprise society, and a
further 160 will have access to a local enterprise society anchored either by a local HE or FE
institution. In their 2013 Impact Report
154
, NACUE report that 50 FE societies had been created, 9 of
which were classified as active and 31 nascent; 10 were as yet unformalised. The average number of
FE students per society was reported as 31. This student?led perspective is useful, as it adds a
previously unseen dimension to the landscape. However in what is already a complex environment
we must also take into account the potential for duplication of effort and increased competitiveness
as opposed to enhanced vision and direction. As Sir Tim Wilson pointed out in his review of
University?Business collaboration, continued support should be conditional on aligned thinking with
other partners.
155
Impact of Enterprise Education in FE
A 2013 BIS report on the impact of enterprise education in HE and FE
156
found that 275 FE
institutions (74%) offered formal courses that led to a qualification or that were a constituent part of
a qualification. 113 FE colleges (31%) offered full qualifications in enterprise or entrepreneurship,
220 (59%) offered credit?bearing modules, and a further 47 (13%) had embedded provision in their
learning offer. Non?formal provision (including student enterprise clubs and societies) was provided
by 117 colleges (31%) – as NACUE societies would appear to only account for 50 of these 117 (see
150http://www.net315.co.uk/
151http://www.gazellecolleges.com/entrepreneurial?colleges
152http://www.pjea.org.uk/
153http://nacue.com/wp?content/uploads/2011/11/BIS?project?press?release.pdf
154 NACUE (2013). Society Impact Report.
155 See Sir Tim Wilson’s Recommendation 2. Wilson, T. (2012). A Review of Business–University Collaboration. London.
156 BIS (2013). Enterprise Education Impact in Higher and Further Education: Final Report. London.
60
above), it would be interesting to explore what other provision is provided. Only 51 colleges (13%)
do not provide any form of enterprise learning opportunity
157
.
Of particular note is that all examples of full qualifications and credit?bearing units offered by FE
colleges reported to the BIS researchers were delivered in a Business department. There are two
main points to consider here. First, as students choose formal courses to study, only those who self?
define as potential entrepreneurs and/or those with a strong interest in learning about business will
benefit; students taking courses in other disciplines will miss out and may not consider business
start?up as an appropriate career option as a result. Second, projects such as the Enterprise
Education in FE Initiatives reported above have embedded enterprise into the subject specific
curriculum and yet there is no evidence of enterprise education outside of the business school here.
Did these courses/units close before the BIS research was conducted? Or, perhaps more likely, were
they missed due to limited understanding of enterprise and where to find it by local information
providers? The latter is a theme that will be returned to in the section on the HE Context.
The Carnegie UK Trust produced a research report into 1600 FE students’ attitudes towards
enterprise in 2012. They found that substantial majority of those who have been involved in an
enterprise activity had found it useful, were more likely to think in enterprising ways about their
own futures, and were more likely to consider setting up a business in their own working lives, or
working self?employed. The report also found that those studying beauty and technically applied
courses (e.g. plumbing or car maintenance) were most likely to have chosen their courses with
enterprising outcomes in mind, to have engaged with enterprise education at college, and to then
expect an enterprising future in work. The latter result may again question the BIS finding above that
enterprise education was exclusively found in the Business domain.
Challenges for Engagement
A 2010 report commissioned by SEEDA and NESTA
158
suggested several challenges to engagement
with enterprise education in FE. These included ambiguity in the definitions used, resulting in
‘enterprise’ frequently being reduced to the development of business start?up skills and the
incorrect assumption that enterprise is only relevant to a minority of college students. Major
structural issues were identified such as lack of space in the curriculum, lack of reference to
enterprise within the OFSTED inspection framework, and no general UK?wide funding stream for
developing and delivering enterprise within colleges. Institutional issues included resistance to
change, lack of understanding of the benefits (for the college and its students) of embedding
enterprise, lack of support and commitment from senior leaders, lack of advice and support for both
senior leaders and lecturers; little time within lecturers’ schedules to learn how to incorporate
enterprise, and a risk?averse culture.
Further, a lot of teacher evaluation focuses on what teachers and educators do in the classroom,
however, within curricular work learner evaluation and assessment strategies are central to the
157 For information on how an FE college can successfully work with its local businesses and schools to create an
enterprising community, see the Gower College case study on page 100.
158 Qa Research and Kate Beresford Associates (2010). Evaluating the Enterprising Further Education pilot: First interim
report.
61
process; arguably there is no point in assessing what you have not taught. This raises the question as
to what is learned but not assessed, and conversely, what is assessed and is it appropriate to what
has been learned? The theory of constructive alignment developed by John Biggs in 2003
159
is useful
in this context.
Constructive alignment has two aspects, the ‘alignment’ references what the teacher does when
setting up a learning environment, and the ‘constructive’ references the way that the learner will
construct their own meaning from the educational experience.
“To really understand something, you see the world differently, and behave differently
towards that part of the world… We want lawyers to make good legal decisions, doctors to
make accurate diagnoses, physicists to think and behave like physicists. After graduation, all
our students, whatever their degree program, should see a section of their world differently,
and to behave differently towards it, expertly and wisely. Thus, simply telling our students
about that part of the world, and getting them to read about it, is not likely to achieve our
DLOs (Desired Learning Outcomes) with the majority of students. Good students will turn
declarative into functioning knowledge in time, but most will not if they are not required
to.”
160
In enterprise education we really do want our learners to see the world differently, so as to enable
them to spot opportunities and to behave in ways that wisely utilize their understanding, hence
offering assessment that is meaningful in the full context of their learning is important. However
there is another factor that we need to consider in this context, that of motivation. As explained by
Gibbs and Simpson of Oxford University and the Open University:
“The most reliable, rigorous and cheat proof assessment systems are often accompanied by
dull and lifeless learning that has short lasting outcomes – indeed they often lead to such
learning… standards will be improved by improving student learning rather than by better
measurement of limited learning”
161
.
Teaching ‘about’ is relatively easy to measure through essay writing and the compilation of facts.
However, teaching ‘for’ enterprise and entrepreneurship is more complex, as we wish to enable our
learners to progress and to demonstrate their abilities, not simply discuss them. Hence the writing of
essays and reports have limited value in this context.
In 2010 it was reported that there was no single UK?wide system of support to assist colleges to
introduce and embed enterprise; instead support was fragmented with a degree of overlap. In
addition small organisations and groupings, there were two UK?wide initiatives: the FEEN led by
159 Biggs, J (2003) Aligning Teaching and Assessing to Course Objectives. Learning in Higher Education: New Trends and
Innovations. University of Aveiro, 13?17 April, 2003. Available online at: http://scholar.google.co.uk/scholar_url?hl=en&q=https://www.dkit.ie/ga/system/files/Aligning_Reaching_and_Assessing_
to_Course_Objectives_John_Biggs.pdf&sa=X&scisig=AAGBfm3U1YFLnqrSiZZJ3QmdHwSgFbCdXA&oi=scholarr&ei=uEHpUsX
sHui07QabwID4BQ&ved=0CC8QgAMoADAA
160 Ibid. Biggs (2003), 2
161 Gibbs, G and Simpson, C (2004) Conditions Under Which Assessment Supports Student’s Learning, Learning and
Teaching in Higher Education, Issue 1, 2004?05, 3
62
Enterprise UK, and the Enterprise Network run by the teacher supporting organisation SSAT. These
iniatiatives have now ceased with no obvious successors. Some enterprise education support is
provided by Enterprise Village
162
, but their main focus is for enterprise in schools rather than
colleges.
Despite the existence of the challenges raised above, there is evidence of good practice and positive
impact across the UK. A recent ‘Good Practice’ Report (OFSTED, 2012
163
), presented the key factors
required in the successful promotion of enterprise?related skills and entrepreneurial capability in 15
high?performing FEIs. The report highlighted a number of key factors in the successful promotion of
enterprise?related skills and entrepreneurial capability emerged across the sample. These included:
• The commitment of the principal and senior leaders to promoting enterprise?related skills
and entrepreneurial capability.
• An extensive enterprise?related provision that was not a ‘bolt?on’ but was an integral and
coherent part of students’ experience while at college, within their mainstream assignment
work, tutorial sessions, additional work?related activities and experiences, and work
placement.
• Highly skilled staff who had excellent knowledge and experience, maintained strong links
with their sectors and were fully committed to promoting and developing students’
enterprise?related skills in the context of their subject specialism.
• Teaching that consistently promoted enterprise?related skills regardless of the subject
specific focus.
• Very strong links with local employers that informed, supported and enhanced curriculum
provision, facilitated high?quality work experience, and ensured that students were made
fully aware of the professional or business context of their studies and the skills and
attributes required.
• Learning that took place in facilities and environments that modelled industry standards and
provided students with experiences that reflected real employment situations.
• Good outcomes for students in relation to success rates in formal qualifications and the
successful development of enterprise?related skills and entrepreneurial capability as
reflected in student successes in a variety of enterprising contexts, as well as progression to
higher education, further training, employment or self?employment.
Evidence from site visits indicated that there was no single approach that led to the successful
promotion of enterprise other than a commitment to well?thought?out and high?quality provision.
No single model of curriculum delivery proved more effective than any other.
162http://www.enterprisevillage.org.uk/
163 OFSTED (2012). Promoting enterprise in vocational courses for 16–19?year?old students in colleges London, OFSTED.
63
The 2012 OFSTED report made two specific recommendations to BIS and DfE. These were to:
• Ensure that colleges provide a minimum entitlement for all students to develop their
enterprise?related skills so that on completion of their courses they have not only gained
formal qualifications but have also developed skills that will enhance their employment or
self?employment prospects.
• Collect, monitor and report on college destination data in relation to employment and self?
employment in order to provide regional and national trends for the college sector.
The Higher Education Context
Enterprise Education and Entrepreneurship Policy
In 1997 the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education (Dearing, 1997
164
) recommended
that universities consider the scope for encouraging entrepreneurship through innovative
approaches to programme design. By 2000, business and entrepreneurial development had been
listed as one of four strategic goals for British universities (Universities UK, 2000
165
), with the UK
Government introducing a significant third funding stream to higher education institutions with the
aim of stimulating universities to reach out to business and the community called the Higher
Education Innovation Fund (HEIF). The broad aim of this initiative was to add value to society and
the economy though the transfer of knowledge, and presented an opportunity for HEI’s to
contribute to the development of entrepreneurial and enterprising staff, students, and graduates
(Davies et al., 2002
166
).
University graduate entrepreneurship in the UK and Europe has been seen as a vital source of
competitiveness and a possible stimulus for economic growth and development of a future
knowledge?based economy (BIS, 2010
143
; BERR 2008
142
; European Commission, 2013
167
, 2008
168
and
2006
169
). Universities’ commitment to student entrepreneurship – as a contributer of knowledge
exchange ? has also been praised in a 2011 HEFCE report
170
.
A review of Business?University collaboration was conducted by Lambert in 2003
171
. Two specific
aspects of entrepreneurship support for students were highlighted: 1) the work of the Science
Enterprise Challenge centres (see below for more detail); and 2) a feasibility study that was being
carried out by Government with respect to establising a Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship to
encourage more students and graduates to set up their own businesses, and to provide support to
164 Dearing, R. (1997). Higher Education in the Learning Society, The National Committee of Enquiry into Higher Education.
165 Universities UK (2000). A Forward Look: Highlights of our Corporate Plan 2001?2004., Universities UK.
166 Davis, J., M. Hides and J. Powell (2002). "Defining the development needs of entrepreneurs in SMEs." Education +
Training 44(8/9): 406?412.
167 European Commission (2012). ENTREPRENEURSHIP 2020 ACTION PLAN? Reigniting the entrepreneurial spirit in Europe,
European Commission.
168 European Commission (2008). Entrepreneurship in Higher Education, Especially in Non?Business Studies: Report of the
Expert Group. Brussels, European Commission.
169 European Commission (2006). Implementing the Community Lisbon Programme: Fostering Entrepreneurial Mindsets
Through Education and Learning. Brussels, European Commission.
170 HEFCE (2011). Opportunity, choice, and excellence in Higher Education.
171 Lambert (2003). Lambert Review of Business?University Collaboration: Final Report.
64
them. The National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship was born in 2004, later changing it’s
name to the National Centre for Entrepreneurship in Education (NCEE) to reflect the inclusion of all
levels of education, not just HE
172
. NCEE provided support to students and graduates through
initatives such as the Flying Start and Make it Happen programmes, but also worked with
organisations such as Enterprise Educators UK (EEUK) to develop training programmes with
educators and leaders of entrepreneurial universities. It no longer delivers direct entrepreneurship
support to students, but continues to work with educators and leaders and provides a bi?annual
mapping survey of enterprise and entrepreneurship education provision in HE.
Around 10 years after the Lambert report, a further review of Business?University collaboration was
conducted by Prof Sir Tim Wilson
173
. The review made 30 substantive and 24 reflective
recommendations including the following:
• Universities should reflect on the strategies they use to ensure that students have the
opportunity to develop enterprise skills both through the formal curriculum and through
optional study or practice, and reflect on the integration of enterprise education in the
professional development programmes for academic staff. (Reflective recommendation 6,
paragraph 4.3.3)
• All full?time PhD students should have an opportunity to experience at least one 8 to 12
week internship during their period of study and should be encouraged to attend a short
intensive enterprise skills programme alongside research students from other departments
of the university. Universities should increase support for postgraduate students seeking to
set up their own businesses. (Recommendation 21, paragraph 5.9.3)
• The Wilson review and the subsequent Witty review
174
also made several recommendations
relating to HE support for the business community. This will be expanded on later in this
chapter.
Throughout this report mention is made of the lack of clarity in definitions around enterprise and
entrepreneurship. A major step forward for HE was taken with the publication of the sector’s Quality
Assurance Agency guidelines for enterprise and entrepreneurship (QAA, 2012
175
). The guidelines
define enterprise education as a process of equipping students with an enhanced capacity to
generate ideas and the skills to make them happen. Entrepreneurship education is defined as the
application of enterprise skills specifically to creating and growing organisations in order to identify
and build on opportunities, equipping students with the additional knowledge, attributes and
capabilities required to apply these abilities in the context of setting up a new venture or business.
As such, in the first instance enterprise education is necessary to develop a distinctive mindset.
Importantly, a business context is not a requirement for enterprise education, whereas it is for
entrepreneurship education. More importantly, it is not prescriptive about how provision should be
structured or delivered; rather, it offers a point of reference that may be helpful for all educators,
172http://www.ncee.org.uk/impact_of_ncee
173 Wilson, T. (2012). A Review of Business–University Collaboration. London.
174 Witty, A. (2013). Encouraging a British Invention Revolution: Sir Andrew Witty’s Review of Universities and Growth.
London.
175 QAA Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Education Guidance
65
whether they are subject specialists or part of an enterprise?specific delivery team. Although the
emphasis in the guidance is on curricular rather than extra?curricular learning, the latter is
encouraged as part of an educational ecosystem.
The QAA guidelines stress that the ultimate goal of enterprise and entrepreneurship education is to
develop entrepreneurial effectiveness. Students will attain entrepreneurial effectiveness to different
degrees, and in differing ways, based on a wide range of variables such as their personality, prior
learning, motivation, ability, and context. Multidisciplinary approaches and mixed pedagogies are
likely to be appropriate. This allows students to achieve a balance of skills and knowledge related to
the three contributory aspects: enterprise awareness, entrepreneurial mindset, and entrepreneurial
capability.
Examples of Practice
There have been substantial efforts to support development of entrepreneurship education for
graduates through various national Government initiatives since the 1980s with the Enterprise in
Higher Education (EHE) initiative, funded by the Employment Department, and subsequently the
Department for Education and Employment from 1987 until 1996. It was a response to concerns that
HE was failing to provide graduates who were employment or enterprise?oriented, and it focussed
on the need for an effective supply of higher skills into the workforce, on the employability of
graduates, and on the role of personal or transferable skills in making graduates effective
contributors at work. 56 HEIs were given contracts worth £1 million each over 5 years to deliver
various types of enterprise education activity. There were also twinning projects involving 2 or more
universities, and networks within specific disciplines were set up (York Consulting Ltd, 1999
176
). York
Consulting Ltd’s evaluation of EHE concluded that it changed the mindset of HEIs to include
employability and enterprise as legitimate concerns of HE, however, the concerns it was set up to
address and the primary benefits listed (greater emphasis on the employment skills and effects
associated with study; a greater preparedness of graduates for employment; and an increase in the
number of ‘good’ graduates) suggest that the initiative was or became more concerned with
employability within existing businesses than about the potential for self?employability and business
start?up; enterprise outcomes are not listed.
In 1999, the 12 Science Enterprise Challenge centres (SECs) were set up in UK Universities. A further
SEC, the Mercia Institute of Enterprise (MIE) was launched in 2001. Funded by the OST and DTI until
2004, SECs aimed to build the level of awareness of the innovation and entrepreneurship agenda
and to encourage a greater degree of engagement with it amongst students and staff. An example of
an SEC initiative can be seen in the Technology Enhanced Enterprise Education project out of the
MIE that made online enterprise and entrepreneurship education materials available to 13,000 non?
Business School students, and involved 500 academic and support staff
177
. The SEC network seeded
the UKSEC network of enterprise educators that later became Enterprise Educators UK (EEUK).
The success of the SEC network was rewarded in 2003 with the inclusion of enterprise and
entrepreneurship education as appropriate activity in the second round of the Higher Education
176 York Consulting Ltd (1999). Enterprise in Higher Education – Changing the Mindset
177 Smith, K. (2007). "Supporting e?learning in enterprise: the TE3 project." Education + Training 49(8/9): 656?670.
66
Innovation Fund
178
(HEIF 2). HEIF 3 again provided formula?calculated funds to individual universities
for knowledge transfer activity in addition to an opportunity to bid for funds for collaborative
projects. One such collaboration was Student Placements for Entrepreneurs in Education (SPEED),
which started in 2006, with the intention to help 750 budding student entrepreneurs gain real
business start?up experience while studying at university
179
. SPEED continued after the end of the
HEIF 3 funded period in 2006 with support of various RDAs and ERDF funds.
In 2004, the DfES instigated the Encouraging Student Enterprise Project where Higher Education
Academy Subject Centres were funded to inspire and encourage students to explore the possibilities
of setting up their own business within their particular subject areas. As an example, the English
Subject Centre worked with English Studies students to learn about freelancing as a career in the
cultural and heritage sector
180
.
Between 2005 and 2009 HEFCE invested £315 million in the Centres for Excellence in Teaching and
Learning (CETL) programme (SQW, 2011
181
). 74 centres of varying sizes were created, including 19
collaborations of HEIs. CETLs covered a wide range of pedagogic and subject?based themes however,
most pertinent here, they included Leeds Metropolitan University’s Institute for Enterprise, the
White Rose Centre for Excellence in the Teaching and Learning of Enterprise, and the University of
Nottingham’s Centre for the Advancement of Integrative Learning, combining entrepreneurship
education, History and the PADSHE project (personal development planning and ePortfolios). The
University of Plymouth’s Experiential Learning in Environmental and Natural Sciences CETL also
explicitly included support for entrepreneurship. A 2011 report on the work of the Institute of
Enterprise ? with in?depth case studies showing how enterprise and entrepreneurship can be
embedded into the subject?specific context ? can be found in a publication entitled “Inspiring
Enterprise: Transforming Enterprise Education at Leeds Metropolitan University”.
182
Despite the
demise of the CETL when funding ceased, it had already made a significant contribution to the
overall UK landscape, not least that the UK Quality Assurance and Higher Education Academy
launched preliminary work on the QAA Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Guidance there in 2010.
183
Most, if not all, of the initiatives described above have looked to contextualize enterprise and
entrepreneurship so that it is explicitly relevant to the subjects that students have chosen to study.
Students often learn from lecturers in their own discipline rather than from business lecturers.
Engagement in enterprise and entrepreneurship education by non?specialists can be intimidating;
educators may lack confidence in their abilities and may not understand what it is they are expected
to teach. Enterprise champions can help as described in the case study looking at the award?winning
work of Neil Coles at Cardiff University on page 99.
178http://www.hefce.ac.uk/whatwedo/kes/heif/
179 Woodier?Harris, N. (2010). "Evaluating the impact of SPEED on students' career choices: a pilot study." Education +
Training 52(6/7): 463?476.
180http://www.english.heacademy.ac.uk/explore/resources/careers/enterprise.php
181 SQW (2011). Summative evaluation of the CETL programme: Final report to HEFCE and DEL.
182 Leeds Metropolitan University (2011). Inspiring Enterprise:
Transforming Enterprise Education at Leeds Metropolitan University. R. Kill and K. O’Rourke. Leeds, Leeds Metropolitan
University.
183 See: http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/business...sigs/260210_shaping_quality_and_assessment_in
_entrepreneurship_education
67
As in FE, enterprise societies offer an additional route to engagement with enterprise and
entrepreneurship whilst studying, however such societies are more established in HE than in FE. One
society movement, Enactus (previously known as Students in Free Enterprise or SIFE) was founded in
America in 1975 to mobilize university students to make a difference in their communities while
developing the skills to become socially responsible business leaders. Over 60,000 students in 39
countries and 1,650 universities are currently engaged with Enactus, including 3,000 students from
54 UK Universities. Other types of enterprise?related society were founded depending on their
institution’s needs. In 2009, 12 presidents of UK university enterprise societies came together to
form NACUE in order to share their knowledge and to support society creation and development; 15
universities were listed as full NACUE members in their 2013 impact report
154
. NACUE also have a
chapter dedicated to creative enterprise societies through NACUE Create
184
. Through the BIS?funded
enterprise society initiative, NACUE supported 86 university enterprise societies in 2013 through a
range of events and activities
154
.
The vast majority of universities provide new venture creation support to their students and/or
recent graduates (see Impact of Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Education in HE section below).
Much of this activity is supported with EU funding such as the European Regional Development Fund
(ERDF)
191
. Examples of EU funded programmes include SPEED Plus
185
extending the activity of the
SPEED project described above in the West Midlands, the North West Enterprise Champions
Project
186
, and Yorkshire and the Humber’s Graduate Entrepreneurship Project
187
. Various models of
start?up support exist, with units based in careers services, knowledge transfer offices, academic
schools, or elsewhere. The wide variety of provision can make provision of start?up support in HEIs
appear confusing but can also be seen as a positive, with HEIs providing support best matched to
their student and administrative needs.
Social enterprise is of growing interest in HE as well as in the wider community. A collaboration
between HEFCE and a social enterprise support organization – UnLtd – commenced in 2009 in order
to encourage engagement by staff and students. A second year?long phase of the collaboration
(2012/2013) saw more than 750 awards of cash and support made to social entrepreneurs from 56
HEIs, with a combined value of over £1.4 million
188
. HECFE will invest a further £2 million in 2014 to
encourage HEIs to act as ‘hubs’ to support social entrepreneurs beyond their staff and students, and
to take the lead in supporting social inclusion and economic development in their communities.
Details of the 2014 scheme were not available at the time of writing this report.
Another potential growth area for university?based enterprise and entrepreneurship is through
postgraduate research students who are arguably best placed to create and drive forward high?tech,
high?growth business ideas (e.g. Smith, 2013)
189
. Vitae, an organization supporting research staff and
postgraduate researchers, have developed an enterprise lens on the nationally recognised
184http://create.nacue.com
185http://www.speed?plus.org
186http://www.ncee.org.uk/entrepreneurship_education/enterprise_champions
187http://graduateentrepreneurship.co.uk
188http://www.hefce.ac.uk/news/newsarchive/2013/news85207.html
189 Smith, K., W. D, N. Yasin and I. Pitchford (2013). Enterprise skills and training needs of postgraduate research students.
Proceedings of the 2013 ISBE National Conference, Cardiff.
68
Researcher Development Framework (RDF)
190
. The lens looks at the general skills expected of
researchers listed in the RDF, highlighting where enterprise can sit and giving examples of
enterprising behaviours and attitudes appropriate to a research career.
Impact of Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Education in HE.
The extent of enterprise and entrepreneurship education provision in HE is routinely measured
through a variety of relevant surveys. Collection of data in this area can be a challenge, but the
results of the surveys described below provide a rich source of information over a number of years.
A recent snapshot study was also commissioned by BIS in 2013.
The BIS impact report on enterprise and entrepreneurship education
156
found that 91 HEIs (70%)
offered formal courses that led to a qualification or that were a constituent part of a qualification. 34
HEIs (26%) offered full qualifications in enterprise or entrepreneurship, 80 (61%) offered credit?
bearing modules, and 47 (36%) had embedded provision in their learning offer. Non?formal provision
(including student enterprise clubs and societies) was provided by 80 HEIs (61%). Only 12 HEIs (9%)
report that they do not provide any form of enterprise learning opportunity. Again (see FE context
above), enterprise and entrepreneurship education was found to be largely the responsibility of one
academic department (60 of 103 HEIs) and was usually based in the Business School. However, there
was more diversity in terms of the offer within HEIs compared with FEIs with 35 HEIs offering formal
enterprise in 2 departments, 6 HEIs in 3 departments, and 2 HEIs ? Southampton Solent University
and the University of Huddersfield ? providing formal enterprise education in five or more
departments.
The NCEE’s bi?annual mapping survey for 2012
191
reported data from 89 HEIs in England (response
rate of 79%). 99% of responding HEIs reported support student enterprise and graduate
entrepreneurship. 85% of respondents offered credit?bearing awards and modules in enterprise and
entrepreneurship leading to academic qualifications; 50% were reported as provided by the HEI’s
Business School. 96% provided extra?curricular support – a substantially different figure to the BIS
findings reported above which may be explained by the possible exclusion of business start?up
activity from the BIS report. 92% of the 85 HEIs who responded to the specific question provided
support for students and graduates in new venture creation. These are excellent figures that show
that HEIs provide a good range of support for student entrepreneurship. However, the underlying
engagement rate – the number of students engaged enterprise or entrepreneurship was 18%
suggesting that a large pool of potential entrepreneurs is still to be reached.
Two other impact surveys are of interest here: HEBCI and DLHE. HEBCI is the Higher Education ?
Business and Community Interaction survey that collects data on HEI knowledge transfer activity. A
sub?set of questions is related to graduate business spin?out (students and graduates up to one year
after graduation). Data for 2011/2012 showed that 2,726 graduate start?ups were established and
that the 7,036 businesses still active in the data collection period (including those established in the
previous three years) had created 13,617 jobs and had a £346 million turnover. These data are
190 Vitae Enterprise lens on the Vitae Researcher Development Framework.
191 Hannon, P. and A. Shore (2013). 2012 Mapping of Enterprise and Entrepreneurship in Higher Education: 2012 Survey
Findings. Proceedings of the 2013 ISBE National Conference. Cardiff.
69
useful and could potentially show the impact of entrepreneurship education on actual business
start?up. The information is difficult to collect however, particularly for information on jobs created,
turnover, and external investment. This is because the data collection process requires resourcing
and an on?going relationship with business start?ups. The latter can be particularly challenging for
HEIs without a strong alumni office. Data collection issues mean that a large number of institutions
are unable to return information for one or more of the six questions relating to graduate spin?out.
The second survey mentioned above – the Destinations of Leavers from HE, or DLHE ? asks leavers
from higher education what they are doing six months after graduation. This year for the first time,
information on self?employment or working towards self?employment will be explicitly gathered.
The results are awaited with expectation and could potentially be used to explore longitudinal
trends on self?employment and business start?up during or immediately after graduation.
The surveys above show that there is relatively good coverage of provision both in and outside the
curriculum with evidence of graduate spin?out and business creation, but how can we be sure that
the two are linked and what are the longer?term effects?
Research has shown that graduates are more likely to be involved with early?stage entrepreneurial
activity than non?graduates (Kwong et al., 2007
192
) and to be owners or founders of high?growth
companies (NCGE, 2008
193
), however graduate entrepreneurs are also more likely to close
businesses to return to paid employment before their businesses become fully established
192.
There
are further issues with attracting HE students into an entrepreneurial career in the first place as
entrepreneurial intent decreases at the highest levels of education, and the pipeline of potential
graduate entrepreneurs is therefore smaller than might be expected (Weaver, 2006
194
).
.
A study of
young people at a regional level in Yorkshire and the Humber (Dubit, 2009
195
) echoed Weaver’s
pattern in the US showing that there is a drop?off in business aspiration for students in HE. The
results lead Dubit to recommend that there should be a reduced focus on the region’s universities as
centres for entrepreneurship, and that efforts here should be abandoned in preference to lower
levels of education where limited funds might be of more use.
Looking at UK GEM data in more depth, Kwong et al.
192
found that graduates had a lower opinion of
entrepreneurship as a good career choice, and possessed more negative attitudes towards the
status of entrepreneurship in society. However, enterprise training at university was found to
mitigate graduates’ negative attitudes towards entrepreneurship and increase their likelihood to
participate measured by nascent, baby business, and total early?stage entrepreneurship
participation indexes. Engagement in entrepreneurial learning at university has been shown to
192 Kwong, C., D. Brooksbank and D. Jones?Evans (2007). The State of Graduate Entrepreneurship in the UK: Preliminary
Policy Paper Based on GEM 2005 Data. Birmingham, National Council of Graduate Entrepreneurship.
193NCGE (2008). Developing Entrepreneurial Graduates: Putting Entrepreneurship at the Centre of Higher Education.
Birmingham, A joint report by CIHE, NCGE, and NESTA.
194 Weaver, M., P. Dickson and G. Solomon (2006). Entrepreneurship and Education: What is Known and Not Known about
the Links Between Education and Entrepreneurial Activity. The Small Business Economy for Data Year 2005: A Report to
the President. Washington, US., United States Government Printing Office.
195 Dubit (2009). Capturing the Enterprise Potential of Young People Across the Yorkshire and Humber Regions. Yorkshire
and Humber, Business Link.
70
influence entrepreneurial intent (Greene and Saridakis, 2007
196
), and actual business start?up
(Blackford et al., 2009
197
).
The BIS impact study of enterprise and entrepreneurship education in HE
198
concluded that
participating students acquire relevant business?related knowledge, skills and competences, and are
more likely to change attitudes (such as risk taking) and intentions (such as around being self?
employed or being entrepreneurial). Although the BIS report suggested that evidence around the
impact of enterprise and entrepreneurship education on actual business start?up is currently
inconculsive. It adds support to the proposal that university?based enterprise education and start?up
support programmes are required to overcome negative attitudes towards an entrepreneurial
career and loss of potential entrepreneurs to the job market.
The lack of evidence of a direct relationship between tertiary level curriculum?based enterprise or
entrepreneurship education and actual business start?up is not necessarily unexpected; consider
that successful start?up is likely to be contingent on (a) knowledge (through education and
professional experience); (b) financial resources (personal savings, bank loans, venture capital and
different forms of public support); and (c) relations (family, personal, professional, institutional
relations, etc.) (Uzunidis, 2014
199
). Higher education can develop knowledge through both
enterprise/entrepreneurship education and subject?specific study but professional experience,
financial resources, and relationships will necessarily take time to develop – young graduates around
the age 21 are therefore likely to need additional years of employment before they are ready to
forge out on their own.
The studies described here suggest that engagement with enterprise and entrepreneurship whilst at
university increases entrepreneurial intent and can lead to actual business start?up. It suggests that
the role of Universities should be to help develop graduates with an entrepreneurial mindset who
are knowledgeable, curious, open to and able to seek out opportunities, and who have the
confidence to explore business start?up when the time is right to do so. For some – particularly
graduates of practice?based subjects (such as art and design, music, etc.) and those interested in
retail ? this could be immediately on graduation, but for the majority there could be a gap of several
years or more than a decade.
Going Beyond the Business School.
As reported above, surveys of enterprise and entrepreneurship education have shown that the vast
majority of provision emanates out of Business Schools and Departments for FE, and to a lesser but
still substantial extent, HE. This is despite the HEI, Government and other externally supported
initiatives described above which were set up with the express intention to embed enterprise
education in non?business subjects.
196 Greene, F. J. and G. Saridakis (2007). Understanding the Factors Influencing Graduate Entrepreneurship. Birmingham,
National Council of Graduate Entrepreneurship.
197 Blackford, B., T. Sebora and T. Whitehill (2009). "The Effects of Collegiate Entrepreneurship Education on Post?
Graduation Start?up of New Ventures: A First Look." International Review of Entrepreneurship 7(3): 1?26.
198 BIS (2013). Enterprise Education Impact in Higher and Further Education: Final Report. London.
199 Uzunidis, D., S. Boutillier and B. Laperche (2014). "The entrepreneur's ‘resource potential’ and the organic square of
entrepreneurship: definition and application to the French case." Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship 3(1).
71
There are at least three potential reasons for the mismatch between the amount of non?business led
activity that might be expected and the survey reports: 1) that subject?specific activity ceases with
removal of funding or when leading academics move on, 2) that impact for these initiatives are too
small?scale to be captured when compared to the Business School offer, or 3) that surveys have
necessarily used single point gatekeepers for data that may not themselves understand what to look
for in terms of enterprise or entrepreneurship education, or who themselves have limited
information available to pass on; further exploration is required.
If real, the continued dominance of Business Schools as the sole provider of enterprise and
entrepreneurship education ? with the exception of embedded learning for their own students ? is
not ideal. This is not to say that business academics do not have a role to play in supporting
colleagues in other areas however; a 2008 European Commission report on entrepreneurship
education in HE
168
concluded that:
“It is questionable whether Business Schools are the most appropriate place to teach
entrepreneurship: innovative and viable business ideas are more likely to arise from technical,
scientific and creative studies. So the real challenge is to build inter?disciplinary approaches,
making entrepreneurship education accessible to all students, creating teams for the
development and exploitation of business ideas, mixing students from economic and business
studies with students from other faculties and with different backgrounds.” (p 7).
This is echoed by a report from Lord Young in 2012
200
who, in relation to student entrepreneurship,
stated:
“In too many institutions, enterprise has been corralled into a single, typically high technology
faculty. Similar mistakes were made in the United States with a concentration of enterprise
into the business school, even though most start? ups come from the humanities.” (p 12)
In 2010 the USA?based organisation ‘The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business’
determined that educational changes were needed to reflect the demands of society. These included
more interdisciplinary approaches, addressing the need to develop deeper learning through
pedagogic change, the development of networks beyond the school and university and seeking out
new and different ways to foster innovation, perceiving it to be the best hope of ensuring the
legitimacy of business education:
“Every Business School should evaluate its role in fostering innovation depending on its unique
assets and relative strengths… This means regularly revisiting its vision and mission as it relates
to innovation”.
201
The report also comments on the fact that innovation has a higher purpose than simply money
making; it can be strategically disruptive and used to engage in cultural and social issues.
200 Lord Young (2012). Make Business Your Business: Supporting the Start?Up and Development of Small Business.
201 The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (2010). Business Schools on an Innovation Mission: Report
of the AACSB International Task Force on Business Schools and Innovation. Florida, AACSB International.
72
In the UK, the Association of Business Schools have also taken on board this need, with conferences
on teaching and learning that include tracks on entrepreneurship and keynote speeches on
innovation. For example, their 2012 conference, run in collaboration with the Higher Education
Academy, was entitled “Innovation in Challenging Times”, because the nature of change required in
teaching and learning was recognised to be significant and demanding; it was not yet embedded
within the business teaching and learning communities.
202
This is a welcome and very recent departure for Business Schools, as far as enterprise education is
concerned; because, as Pittaway and Edwards (2013), observed they were disheartened to discover
in their international survey:
“More innovative forms of educational practice, such as those categorized as “Through”
approaches or “Embedded” approaches were significantly more marginal within the data.
Over 50% of entrepreneurship education sampled here is, therefore, focused on helping
students understand the phenomenon rather than preparing them for genuine
entrepreneurial activity. There is little difference between the UK and the USA… learning
outcomes sought by educators unfortunately mirrors this somewhat unattractive picture; and
the majority of learning outcomes aim to enable students to acquire knowledge “About” the
subject.”
203
The study flagged up other concerns, including a dominance of examinations in the UK as opposed
to more appropriate / innovative and ‘constructively aligned’ assessment practices, and concerns
over who is actually doing the assessing and are they fully equipped to do so. The study concludes
that those who advocate strategies such as peer assessment and engagement of assessors beyond
the academic should be encouraged to continue their efforts so as to better match assessment
strategies to the entrepreneurial context.
There are a number of reasons for this situation. Academic planning managers argue that they are
constrained by rigid timetables, modular frameworks and external pressures (e.g. Professional
bodies), which in turn do little to encourage innovation in the curricula. Assessment practices remain
constrained by a largely unreflective traditionalism; and, as Race (2001
204
) argued, truly innovative
assessment is still very much a minority practice. Textbooks perpetuate the myth that Business
graduates will find employment in Blue chip companies and that Management is a rational process.
Neither is this a British issue: Page West, an American Professor of Entrepreneurship wrote in
2009
205
“it is hard enough to build a strong entrepreneurship program within a school of business”.
For a quarter of a century, those who pursued such programs have faced questions about legitimacy,
which may explain the rarity of university?based entrepreneurship education programs where
students get to start real?life ventures as formal part of their education
206
.
202http://www.associationofbusinesssch...?challenging?times?abs?learning?and?teaching?
conference?association?higher?education
203 Pittaway, L. and C. Edwards (2013). "Assessment: Examining Practice in Entrepreneurship Education." Education +
Training 54(8): 793?794.
204 Race, P. (2001). Assessment: A Guide for Students. Assessment Series, LTSN Generic Centre.
205 West et al (2009). "Legitimacy across the university: yet another entrepreneurial challenge."
206http://vcplist.com
73
Sir Tim Wilson in his Review of University Business Collaboration (2012) suggested that universities
are becoming out of touch with what industry needs in terms of flexible and adaptable learners who
can innovate and bring new value; he states that:
“Assessment approaches in universities focus upon known schedules and requirements,
published in a student handbook. That is an underpinning foundation of our quality system.
Yet in an enterprise skills context, this is not a realistic environment…
…Enterprise skills require responsiveness to unexpected pressures and tasks; they require
reaction to changing circumstances and disruptive interventions. These attributes are contrary
to the established framework of assessment processes.”
207
Wilson went on to support the embedded nature of enterprise and entrepreneurship education:
“Although this issue could be addressed by the addition of an “Enterprise module” to an
established curriculum with the associated planned learning and assessment tasks, such a
model defeats the very principles of enterprise and entrepreneurial education.”
Thus whilst an individual new module on its own appears sub?optimal, is does offer opportunities to
trigger other related work in the curriculum. It could be a seed that leads to new, relevant and
exciting ways to learn for the flexible and adaptable new world that our learners will face. We must
also consider the fact that if a module or similar, more easily measured target is not evaluated and
overtly linked to other areas of learning, how can we determine if progress is being made?
Wherever enterprise and entrepreneurship education sits it must embrace new ways of delivering
learning opportunities.
Entrepreneurship cannot be a field that succumbs to stagnation. It must recognise and apply
technologies in the educational setting (Kuratko, 2005, p. 588
208
).
The quote above specifically relates to the use of technology but could equally refer to other forms
of innovative delivery such as live community?suggested projects; question and answer sessions with
entrepreneurs and alumni; and use of online business?simulations where entrepreneurship skills in
particular can be practiced in a safe environment.
Collaboration with Business
The sections above explore the role of FE and HE in providing enterprise and entrepreneurship
education and business start?up support for students and recent graduates. This section will focus on
FE and HE support for entrepreneurs looking to grow and innovate.
207 Wilson, T. (2012). A Review of Business–University Collaboration. London. Op.cit.
208 Kuratko, D. F. (2005). "The emergence of entrepreneurship education: development, trends, and challenges."
Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice 29(5): 577?597.
74
Wilson (2012) argued that it was only with the creation of a Department for Innovation, Universities
and Skills in 2007, (now the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills) that universities were
finally encouraged to participate in economic development activities through direct engagement
with the enterprise community. Prior to then, policy was split between the education and trade
ministries, creating two parallel strands of activity focusing on innovation and skills respectively.
Policy now comes from a single Government department, supported by a single funding stream
known as the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF). Within this framework, universities have
been allowed to define priorities according to their own missions and localities, and this has been
the catalyst for recent innovations in areas such as the contribution of science and technology to
business competitiveness, improving graduate enterprise and employability, and addressing specific
business skills requirements (Culkin, 2011)
209
.
The business support environment has changed considerably since the most recent change of
Government. This can particularly be seen in the abolition of Business Link as a ‘one stop shop’ for
start?up and growth advice, the abolition of Regional Development Agencies, and the creation of
Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) in 2010 as a voluntary strategic partnership between businesses
and civic leaders to drive local economic growth.
We should be left in no doubt that universities, and more recently, FE colleges, are expected to
engage in and encourage entrepreneurship in its educational provision, innovation capacity, small
firm support and through its impact on local and national economies.
In 2011, the Government gave the FE and skills sector greater freedoms to ensure their provision is
aligned to the business and community priorities identified in their local areas
210
. An OFSTED survey
of colleges published in 2013
211
found that most of the colleges sampled in the survey had made at
least some progress in linking with external businesses and community partners to plan their
provision, however, progress was slower that hoped for. The survey raised concerns that few LEPs
had begun to have a demonstrable impact on local planning and provision. It was also felt that FE
was under?represented at the highest strategic level on LEP boards, which meant that LEPs were not
always sufficiently well informed about the extent and range of college provision in their areas. The
quality and availability of local labour market information was often patchy, which did not allow
colleges and providers to plan effectively and collaboratively to reduce long?term unemployment in
their locality.
In contrast perhaps, HEIs are increasingly recognised as both regional anchor institutions supporting
the enterprise community (Wilson, 2012
212
; Witty, 2013
213
) and as a source of ‘slack within a regional
innovation system that can add to the long term adaptability of the economy’ (Goddard, 2013
214
).
One only has to look at the Times Higher Education Entrepreneurial University of the Year Awards,
209 Culkin, N. (2011). "Producing Work Ready Graduates: The role of the Entrepreneurial University." International Journal
of Market Research 53(3): 425?440.
210 BIS (2011). Further Education and Skills System Reform Plan: Building a World Class Skills System.
211 OFSTED (2013). Local accountability and autonomy in colleges.
212 Wilson, T. (2012). A Review of Business–University Collaboration. London.
213 Witty, A. (2013). Encouraging a British Invention Revolution: Sir Andrew Witty’s Review of Universities and Growth.
London.
214Goddard, J. and P. Vallance (2013). The University and the City, Routledge.
75
which commenced in 2008, to see the many ways in which HEI’s have respond to the opportunities
created. Examples include engagement with publicly funded initiatives targeted on processes of the
commercialisation of HE institutional intellectual property
215
(for example through the Intellectual
Property Office), Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
216
, past engagement with regional development
agencies, and current engagement with LEPs and the business community.
Witty (2013) recommend in his report to BIS on the role of HE in supporting economic growth that:
‘Universities should assume an explicit responsibility for facilitating economic growth, and all
universities should have stronger incentives to embrace this “enhanced Third Mission” – from
working together to develop and commercialise technologies which can win in international markets
to partnering with innovative local Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). An annual report should
set out universities’ Third Mission work, together with actions the Government should take to better
facilitate it.’ (p6)
A good example of a university working to support the business community is provided in the case
study on Manchester Metropolitan University on page 106.
The Future
As this report is being written, details of several new initiatives relevant to tertiary enterprise and
entrepreneurship education and business development are due to be announced. These include the
Small Business Charter
217
based on the recommendation of Lord Young’s second report entitled
Growing Your Business
218
that HE Business Schools become anchor institutions for business support
and growth. Interestingly, and consistent with his first report
200
, Lord Young does not suggest that
Business Schools become the location for student and graduate entrepreneurship although they
might benefit from the support provided.
A second initiative, of particular interest to business support activity, is the provision of Growth
Vouchers
219
. The scheme is to be launched at the end of January 2014 as a randomised control trial
pilot in a limited number of locations. It will initially be delivered through private sector advice
agencies, however if successful, Growth Vouchers will be offered through HE Business Schools with
Small Business Charter marks.
Further detail is also expected on University Enterprise Zones
220
announced at the end of 2013. 4?5
zones will be funded to build business spaces that can host a range of new high?tech companies in
the early stages of their development. Although their impact will be limited to a small number of
HEIs, they are also intended to ‘unlock the potential of so many students who will be able to move
into affordable business space and start to build their own business straight after their degree’ as
stated by the PM David Cameron.
215http://www.ipo.gov.uk/fastforward.htm
216http://www.ktponline.org.uk/
217http://www.associationofbusinesssch...s?lord?youngs?report?growing?micro?businesses
218 Lord Young (2012). Make Business Your Business: Supporting the Start?Up and Development of Small Business.
219http://www.growthvouchers.co.uk
220https://www.gov.uk/Government/news/15?million?boost?for?local?business?growth?at?universities
76
As reported above, support for student and graduate entrepreneurship activity is often funding by
EU and Government funds. This is particularly the case in HE but also for FE (e.g. Net315 as described
above), and even for schools (see Case Study 10: Kirklees Creative Media Studio School, p65). The
current EU structural fund phase covers the period from 2007 to 2013. The prospectus for 2014
onwards has yet to be published which is problematic for planning and applying for future funds,
particularly as the application process for such funding can often take more than a year. Funding for
several of the ERDF programmes reported above has either ceased or will be stopping soon. ERDF
funding was often problematic for HE, FE, and schools – not only because of the sometimes
overwhelming audit and administrative requirements and delays of paying claims of up to six
months – but also because ERDF is primarily designed for growth support rather than the pre?start
activity that educational establishments wish to provide for their students. ESF might provide a
source of funds better matched to skills development and pre?start support, but this remains an
unknown until the next phase prospectus is published.
HEIF continues to be used to fund student and graduate enterprise and entrepreneurship education
initiatives in many HEIs, however, the current phase – HEIF 5 – is due to end next year in 2015. The
transition of HEIF 4 to HEIF 5 brought a reduction in the amount of funds that were available to
universities and many smaller universities had their HEIF funds reduced to zero. HEIF funds are
allocated based on a formula that takes data from the Higher Education ? Business and Community
Interaction (HEBCI) survey, which includes information on graduate business spin?outs as described
above. Although this data is collected, it is not included in the HEIF funding formula. With reduced
funding in HEIF 5 and no direct financial benefit from supporting student and graduate
entrepreneurship, several universities made the difficult decision to prioritise other knowledge
transfer activity. Some universities reduced the size of or closed dedicated student business?start?up
units, moved specialist entrepreneurship support under general employability activity, and/or made
talented enterprise educators redundant. It is hoped that HEIF will be continued into a 6
th
phase in
2015, but this is not yet confirmed. Its removal or continued reduction will put university support in
this area further at risk.
Summary
This chapter has sought to highlight the importance of HE and FE to the future prosperity of the UK.
We have provided examples of enterprise and entrepreneurship education provision beyond the
Business School and discussed how it is no longer rooted solely in the idea of the business start?up
although this remains an important aspect. We have also discussed HE and FE support for business
growth and innovation.
We conclude that until enterprise and entrepreneurship education moves from the sidelines to the
mainstream the opportunities will remain unmet, and end with a quote from the evaluation of the
Enterprise in Higher Education initiative
221
:
“The lasting lesson of EHE is that challenging objectives can be set, and that ambitious
initiatives can produce significant change. EHE facilitated a widespread adaptation of the
221 York Consulting Ltd (1999). Enterprise in Higher Education – Changing the Mindset
77
internal structures and capacities of universities, to meet new challenges. New policy
developments need to support HEIs in completing this task, and in establishing closer, more
systematic, and more productive relationships with employers.” (p 4)
Key Findings
• Large scale funding initiatives have the potential to change culture and make systemic
changes.
• Longer?term funding needs to be put in place to prevent roll back and loss of knowledge.
• Pockets of excellent practice exist but need to be disseminated and expanded so there is
breath in provision in addition to depth.
• Enterprise and entrepreneurship education needs to be embedded in all subject areas if it is
to make an wider impact.
• This will require training of educators to 1) understand what is meant by enterprise and
entrepreneurship education in their subject?specific context, 2) aid the development of
embedded and inspiring learning activities.
• Funding of longitudinal or retrospective research to look at long?term impact is required.
78
Case Study 12 - Gower College, Swansea; Sue Poole
Sue Poole’s full time role is to act as a champion for enterprise at Gower College – to act as a driver,
to take a lead and pull a range of ideas and opportunities together. One of Sue’s aims has been to
link her FE College with business and her local schools in enterprising ways. Sue won the National
Enterprise Educator’s Award in 2012, which give further impetus to her ambitions:
“Following on from receiving the award in 2012 I designed and set up the Entrepreneurship
Academy Wales an innovative and ground breaking Academy with a pilot group of handpicked
students to follow a 1 year fast?track course into business. This award together with other
sponsorship from local businesses across Wales will be used to help these students set up their own
business and trade.
I have also been working with a large number of local primary and secondary schools to develop
student’s entrepreneurial capabilities from a young age. Along with colleagues and students from
Gower College Swansea we have worked with a number of these schools over a 10 week period
delivering a range of entrepreneurial projects to help the school embed enterprise within their
curriculum. Over the past year I have also sourced external funding to employ 2 full time members
of staff to work entirely with students in primary and secondary together with Further and Higher
Education to develop their entrepreneurial skills and support staff in helping them embed enterprise
within the curriculum from 7 years plus.”
Julie Bowen, one Sue’s team, picks up the story about one of the initiatives that she has taken a lead
on, ‘The Young Dragons’:
“The (first) competition was an outstanding success with 13 schools across Swansea participating
and 29 schools all together across Swansea, NPT, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire. In Swansea
approximately 1000 Yr 9 students took part and had the opportunity to develop their business skills
and gain a greater insight into the world of enterprise and the skills needed to be successful in the
workplace whether they choose to set up their own business or work for someone else.
The feedback from the staff in schools was been very positive and they felt the students benefited
from the experience. I encouraged the staff to continue to develop the student’s ideas and took the
opportunity to explain how my role could support them in doing this.
Subsequently, approximately 4000 students took part in the second Young Dragons Competition
across the Swansea Bay area, with similar feedback.”
Julie continues to seek out enterprising partnerships; for example, she has helped to up?skill 42
educators delivering the enterprise element of the Welsh Baccalaureate, is supporting 6 primary
schools in their efforts to win the ‘Young Troopers’ competition, and is actively developing new
materials for further enterprise educator training.
79
Case Study 13 - National Enterprise Educator 2013; Neil Coles
“The UK’s top Enterprise Educators were announced at Sheffield’s Cutlers’ Hall during the
International Enterprise Educators Conference recently… and somehow I ended up walking away
with the National Enterprise Educator of the Year Award!
I’ve been involved with Enterprise Education for over 10 years, but it’s only since the formation of
Enterprise Educators UK that I have genuinely felt there is a national network interested to both
share and build on our collective experiences, so I am thankful to them – the National Centre for
Entrepreneurship Education and the Higher Education Academy – who all had an arm in offering me
this Award. I’d also like to highlight the support the Welsh Government have offered both HE and FE
over the years, and believe they were instrumental in pushing Welsh institutions to pick up the
baton.”
“Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Education is on the rise here at Cardiff University, with a
comprehensive programme of activities directed at the new… and not so new… student, but the
work Stuart Abbott and I are doing to advance the ability of academic staff to contextualise
enterprise, entrepreneurship, innovation, and quality improvement is at the forefront of thinking
within the sector. From an essence of taking an idea and making it happen, we have found and
supported many examples of where contextualised enterprise goes on to aid subject learning and a
student’s ability to make a difference. Over the last year we have hosted two academic sharing
forums, and discussed the application of enterprise with colleagues from architecture, bioscience,
business, chemistry, law, computer science, English, engineering, geography, healthcare, journalism,
mathematics, medicine, nursing, optometry, pharmacy, physics, psychology, religion, social science
and Welsh.
I’m over the moon and totally humbled to have been crowned National Enterprise Educator 2013,
but for me this is just acknowledgement that the work we are doing here at Cardiff University is
being recognised by institutions across the UK, so the question I ask is how can we build on our
success?
80
A question like that gets my mind buzzing with ideas and approaches to create a university that is
receptive to the community in which it serves, and supports the development of an innovation
culture through staff, students and outreach activities. Focusing in on the graduate ? the economy
needs people who are both academically capable and can relate and react to new industry needs.
Enterprise Education is not about telling, but showing and allowing for experiences that stick with
individual, so that they don’t repeat the book, but become part of it.”
Case Study 14 - Manchester Met University
MMU – Centre for Enterprise (CfE)
"Putting knowledge to work to help people and communities perform"
“The Centre for Enterprise is an established and professorially led team of enterprising academics,
practitioners and researchers at Manchester Metropolitan University. We use our four core
knowledge areas ? business growth, entrepreneurial leadership, enterprise and sustainability ? to
impact upon North West regional economic growth, UK and European policy development and
international academic advancement of knowledge. We are well known for making research useful
in practice for start?ups and small firms, focusing on owner?manager leadership and company
growth and very experienced in effective knowledge exchange to support entrepreneurial behaviour
across different types and sizes of organisations.
Currently a team of 38, we are self?financing through private sector sponsorship, commercial
programme fees, research council funds and secured competitive public funding. With a strong steer
from our Advisory Board, (leading business figures in professional disciplines, who each bring
specialist knowledge and a shared passion for enabling university knowledge to benefit business
communities). This includes a range of online videos and podcasts plus a quarterly Impact magazine
which goes out to over 6000 business and social enterprise owners and all local policy stakeholders
which takes a key theme such as ‘growth’ to try to help them make sense of our core research –
putting knowledge to work in their organisation. We also invite the five LEPs that we work with to
comment on the information about companies and trends in their areas.”
“CfE has successfully delivered research and development projects in small business and related
areas, via ESRC, EPSRC, Leverhulme, public and private sector funding, with widespread impacts to
our research informing policy and practice in entrepreneurship. For example, since 2009 we have
secured 11 successful research council bids; since its launch in March 2001, over £15m revenue has
been attracted to support practical and research activities to develop entrepreneurs and their
businesses. This has included contracts to encourage growth and leadership in over 1,000 SMEs and
social enterprises. We now work across the university to support start up activities,
commercialisation of intellectual property and the development of new work?based learning
initiatives such as Higher Level apprenticeships.”
81
7. Role of the Business Community in Enterprise Education
“Young people need to have their eyes opened to entrepreneurship as a viable career option. This
will only happen by giving learners in schools and colleges active opportunities to experience the
creation and running of a business.”
Fintan Donohue, Gazelle Colleges Group
Introduction
Simply put, entrepreneurship is a process of fundamental transformation: from innovative idea to
enterprise and from enterprise to value
222
? it therefore requires experience to transfer the
knowledge of how to be a ‘good’ entrepreneur. As far back as 2002 the Davies report
223
recommended:
“Wherever possible, enterprise activities should be developed in partnership between
business, schools and Government. In order to support our proposed level of provision of
enterprise activity, we recommend that the business sector should commit £30m in time and
resources annually by 2005?06. Their contribution will be largely in the form of staff time in
schools and supporting enterprise activities built around work experience programmes” .
224
This was a clear statement of need that business needs to be involved in enterprise education.
Subsequently, a special report by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor in 2008 concluded that it is
clear that in most countries, entrepreneurship experts regard the provision of entrepreneurship
education and training as inadequate
225
. However, entrepreneurship education is not just the pure
domain of educators, and businesses have a part to play in the success of future entrepreneurs. The
established business community therefore has a huge part to play in the development of an
entrepreneurial Britain, and businesses of all sizes can help and inspire future entrepreneurs and
business owners to start and then grow their businesses. It must be noted that there are programs
which span education, business and experienced entrepreneurs. Doug Richard runs the successful
School for Start Ups
226
, which amongst many innovative courses, runs a series of education days at
universities around the UK. The mix of the experienced businessperson and entrepreneur delivering
in an educational context provides a high impact learning environment to would?be entrepreneurs.
Equally, the ‘Entrepreneurs and Education Programme’
227
run by School for Start?ups looks to further
the experience beyond students to educators as well. Start?up Loans
228
focuses on financing new
ventures, but the organisations that deliver the initiative around the country look for experienced
business mentors for their clients taking out loans to help them succeed. Trying to link experience
222 Kauffman Foundation (2006). Entrepreneurship in American Higher Education. Kauffman the Foundation of
Entrepreneurship.
223 Davies, H. (2002). A Review of Enterprise and the Economy in Education. London.
224 Ibid.
225 Martinez, A., J. Levie, D. Kelley, R. Samundsson and T. Scott (2010). A Global Perspective on Entrepreneurship
Education and Training, GEM.
226 www.schoolforstartups.co.uk
227 www.schoolforstartups.co.uk/eep/
228 www.startuploans.co.uk
82
with new ventures is considered a key element of survival, and established businesses and business
people play a vital part in the start up story.
There is no doubt also that for many, experiencing life in a business (particularly in the case of this
report? a micro firm) at an early age can have a very beneficial outcome. A recommendation made in
the Wilson Review of 2012
229
that:
“Ideally, every full?time undergraduate student should have the opportunity to experience a
structured, university?approved undergraduate internship during their period of study. Where
such internships are paid, Government should examine the feasibility of supporting companies
that host students through a tax credit or grant mechanism. Where internships are unpaid,
universities should use their ‘OFFA funds’ to support eligible students rather than condone a
policy that could inhibit social mobility.”
230
Internships within businesses are one way that potential entrepreneurs can experience first?hand
the thrill of business however; the support can be wide ranging and take many forms, and it is a vital
link in the chain of getting more people to be entrepreneurial and potentially start businesses in the
UK. Further to this, McLarty (2006) in a review of Enterprise Education in the UK recommends (1)
Employer Engagement, and (2) Partnership and Networking with other education providers,
businesses and the community
231
. These are both vital components of beginning a journey in
business.
This chapter does not cover the aspects of trading with newly started small firms to help them grow
as it is out of the scope of the report, but it will focus on what business can do in an educational
capacity to help people become more entrepreneurial. Whilst this report is focused mainly on the
micro side of businesses in the UK, it is important to look at how large businesses in the UK are
helping educate future entrepreneurs through formal and informal means. This is not an exhaustive
list of how businesses can help, but it provides a number of examples of ways businesses are
supporting the UK’s entrepreneurs start up.
It is fully accepted that inspiring people to become entrepreneurs is not an easy path. It is also
recognised that Europe has a limited number of known entrepreneurial success stories, a fact that
they attribute to a view that entrepreneurship has not been celebrated as a preferred career path
232
.
In the UK, entrepreneurship has gained more acceptance in recent years, however, it is rare in
Europe to find 'entrepreneur' ranked highly among desirable occupations. Despite the fact that
entrepreneurs create jobs and power the economy their successes are not presented as role models
in the media. For young people, this makes an entrepreneurial career rank rather low in the list of
attractive professions and it is a deterrent to those who might want to become entrepreneurs
233
.
229 Wilson, T. (2012). A Review of Business–University Collaboration. London.
230 Ibid.
231 McLarty, L., H. Highley and S. Alderson (2006). Evaluation of Enterprise Education in England.
232 European Commission (2012). ENTREPRENEURSHIP 2020 ACTION PLAN? Reigniting the entrepreneurial spirit in Europe,
European Commission.
233 Ibid.
83
There is a regular call for schools (and indeed many educational establishments) to engage further
with business for example the Enterprise Education Trust call for “three simple things”
234
:
• For Government to say clearly and simply that enterprise education is important,
• For schools to engage more readily with business,
• For employers to engage in work?related learning and enterprise education,
• Indeed, to many, the best place to start introducing people to business and enterprising
activity face to face is at schools, where these can be developed. This however can be
problematic.
OFSTED state:
“Links with businesses and employers to enhance the curriculum were variable and a relative
weakness in provision. Over a third of schools visited failed to provide sufficient opportunities
for students to engage directly with local businesses or employers. This was the case even on
vocational courses, particularly at Key Stage 4, where students spent too much time just
downloading information from company websites, which reduced their opportunities to probe
and investigate real issues.
Visits to businesses were often difficult to organise for logistical reasons. However, in the best
schools, restrictions on the opportunities to take students out to visit businesses were
overcome by bringing the local business community into the classroom to enhance teaching
and learning.”
235
The need for businesses to engage in behaviour to enhance entrepreneurship is called for at the
highest level. The World Economic Forum (WEF) state; “Companies, and especially entrepreneurs,
have an important role to play in developing entrepreneurship education.”
236
They see the
importance of business to both transform the education system and build an entrepreneurial
ecosystem as follows;
• Transform the Educational System;
o Encourage Governments and academia to make entrepreneurship education a key
priority for the education agenda in both formal and informal education and all age
levels.
o Encourage mutually?beneficial business?university collaborations.
• Build the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem;
o Support the development of entrepreneurship within schools and universities by
providing resources for professorships/chairs, educators, institutes and
entrepreneurship centres.
o Engage with academic institutions as well as other organizations providing
entrepreneurship training by providing expertise, teaching and mentoring.
234 Dellot, B. and G. Darby (2013). The Enterprise Generation. London, Enterprise Education Trust.
235 OFSTED (2011). Economics, business and enterprise education. London.
236 World Economic Forum (2009). Educating the next wave of entrepreneurs. Geneva.
84
o Encourage the involvement of employees (as speakers, mentors, role models).
o Exchanges of academic and company staff.
• Participate actively in the ecosystem, providing and sharing social capital.
• Partner with other stakeholders in the ecosystem to launch specific initiatives to develop
effective programmes and processes for entrepreneurship education:
o Forums and events,
o Training and/or mentoring entrepreneurs and students,
o Training faculty,
o Competitions and awards,
o Accelerators, incubators, labs,
o Entrepreneurship centres/institutes,
o Curriculum development,
o Online educational and training tools,
o Global exchange networks,
o Encourage programmes that target underdeveloped or underserved groups such as
women, minorities, disadvantaged or disabled people.
o Share tacit knowledge/capabilities with NGOs and other organizations that support
entrepreneurs. This indirectly promotes entrepreneurship education by supporting
the capacity of organizations that develop entrepreneurs. In so doing, it enables
such organizations to operate more effectively, thereby increasing their impact on
the entrepreneurial educational process.
The need is well recognised across the spectrum; The Witty Review in 2013 has shown:
“That the importance of engaging effectively with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and
the challenges of doing so, are widely understood… The future growth of the UK economy will
in large part come from fast growing SMEs. The fastest growing SMEs, generating half of all
new jobs, are those that are driven by innovation. In fact our national innovation performance
depends in part on SMEs.”
237
Large Businesses
There are many examples of large businesses helping the start up community through a variety of
means of support. This varies but can be roughly split into direct support and indirect support.Direct
support? Large businesses provide a direct service helping young entrepreneurs usually as part of a
Social Investment program. Examples of this type of support would typically be programs like Virgin
237Witty, A. (2013). Encouraging a British Invention Revolution: Sir Andrew Witty’s Review of Universities and Growth.
London.
85
Media Pioneers
238
(Virgin), RBS Inspiring Enterprise
239
(RBS Group), Wayra
240
(Telephonica) and
Goldman Sachs 10000 Small Businesses
241
.
Indirect Support? Categorised as a business supporting an already established program in its own
right, and in many cases as part of a variety of funders and supporters for example, Princes Trust
(RBS, Bloomberg etc
242
).
Large businesses have an important role to play in supporting entrepreneurs as they can bring angles
of support that start up businesses often find very hard to establish themselves.
Some key work was commissioned by Young Enterprise
243
in 2011 to look at the role of business in
society and the impact of volunteering and corporate citizenship on developing skills in young
people. They surveyed 24 of their main corporate sponsors, representing a significant part of the
UKs corporate employers, to give a picture, of how the education system prepares young people for
the world of business amongst other things. The results give a fascinating view on what large
businesses see as vital for the way forward in the UK. The results were as follows:
• 75% of the businesses felt that the British education system is not equipping young people
with the right skills for them to enter the workforce.
• 59% felt that the education system was poor at developing young people’s entrepreneurial
skills.
• 64% thought that the education system was poor at developing financial skills among young
people.
• 61% said they felt Young Enterprise’s activities made a significant difference in filling these
gaps and preparing young people for the future.
• 89% said they thought it was ‘very important’ for business to be involved in young people’s
education.
Young Enterprise found the survey showed that businesses feel the education system is not
preparing young people properly for the world of work. Recruits need to have a range of
‘employability’ skills such as teamwork, punctuality, the ability to apply abstract knowledge and
think for themselves to succeed in the workplace.
Young Enterprise were concerned that the Department of Education was adopting a narrow focus on
academic skills and exams which will make it less likely that students emerge from education with
these aptitudes. They believe the Government needs to change course and actively encourage
partnerships between schools and business, putting enterprise education on the formal National
Curriculum. In their view Ministers should also work harder to change the attitudes of business
towards education. Too many senior managers in business are tending to blame the attitude of
British workers, particularly young recruits, for their own failures while failing to do anything about
238 www.virginmediapioneers.com
239 www.inspiringenterprise.rbs.com
240http://wayra.org/en
241http://www.goldmansachs.com/citizen...ses/UK/index.html?cid=PS_01_07_06_99_00_01_02
242http://www.princes?trust.org.uk/support_us/corporate_supporters/our_partners.aspx
243 Freshminds (2011). Business education survey 2011. London, Young Enterprise.
86
it. They and their staff should get out into the community and volunteer to act as business advisers
helping young people learn about the world of work before they leave education
244
.
Some large business get directly involved in supporting businesses start, develop and grow and
develop their own niche areas of useful support; Lloyds Bank have been actively involved in a large
scale mentor project detailed in the following case study:
Case Study 15 - Lloyds Bank Enterprise Mentoring: The Road to
Economic Recovery
“The mentoring scheme was set up in conjunction with the Business Finance Taskforce and the
British Bankers’ Association, with the overall aim of helping the economy return to sustainable
growth by training industry professionals to share their own skills and experience with
entrepreneurs. As part of this, Lloyds Bank work with a number of mentoring organisations including
Business Innovation and Skills and the Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative (SFEDI)
amongst others, through which our trained mentors are partnered with enterprises seeking
support.”
Mentoring in Practice
“The mentoring process is really simple. Volunteers from across the bank sign up to become an
enterprise mentor and receive training which allows them to gain the relevant skills and experience
needed to effectively support a business.”
“They are then paired with a business in their area and organise regular meetings and discussions
with the business leader where they can review any issues the business is faced with, aim to answer
any questions the mentee has, and use their own skills and experience to provide guidance and
support which will ultimately aid the business’s development and growth.”
“The volunteers have also run activities in universities and schools as well as actively meeting
current business leaders at industry events to discuss the benefits of mentoring with them directly.”
External Benefits
“One example of a business that has benefitted from mentoring support is a fast growing digital
design company led by a group of Plymouth University graduates. Their mentor Duncan Webster is
an IT Manager in Lloyds who has gained an additional qualification as a champion mentor which
allows him to offer higher quality support to an SME. Mutant Labs develop mobile apps for Android
and iOS, Flash apps and build websites.”
Alex Ryley, co?founder of Mutant Labs, said: “Since we launched, Mutant Labs has continuously
moved from strength to strength and we can’t believe how quickly our reputation has grown, not
244 Ibid.
87
just in the South West but across the whole country. As a digital design company, it is crucial we
remain at the forefront of innovation and continually develop our products to ensure we are one
step ahead of our competitors.”
“We decided that an enterprise mentor would be able to help us with that as they can look at our
business objectively as well as pass on their own skills and expertise. Duncan has exceeded all of our
expectations and has supported us in ways we never anticipated. The most valuable aspect he has
helped us with is developing a long?term strategy for growth as we now have a clear idea of where
we want to take our business and some of the steps we can take to ensure we reach our goals.”
Duncan Webster said: “The Mutant Labs team is a brilliant group of ambitious graduates who have a
great balance of creativity and real business acumen. It is a pleasure to work with them and offer my
support wherever I can. Mentoring is becoming a widely recognised way of helping support UK
businesses and the impact it can have on helping business leaders develop is really significant so I
was keen to get involved.”
Case Study 16 - Business in the Community (BITC) Case Study
It is clear that mentoring is an effective way to help support SMEs at all life cycle stages from start?
ups and businesses looking to grow through to established companies, and there are many tangible
benefits for business leaders and mentors alike. There are also organisations that carry out work that
engage senior business leaders to help in a variety of initiatives. Business in the Community (BITC) is
just one of those organisations. BITC are a unique business movement being the largest business?led
charity of its kind, committed to building resilient communities, diverse workplaces and a more
sustainable future.
245
This case study highlights one of the programmes they run to partner business
with schools:
“BITC run a programme (Business Class
246
) that partners businesses with schools in long?term 3 year
partnerships. Nearly 200 mainly large companies have partnered with over 300 schools across the
UK since the scheme began. It is mainly large businesses, but BITC have just announced a pilot to
bring more SME’s into the scheme working with Goldman Sachs – not to provide entrepreneurial
education in a formal sense, but to just give more young people access to entrepreneurial role
models and, we hope, widen their perspective of what the world of work might look like – self
employment as a career option etc.
In addition, through BITC’s youth mentoring programme (Mosaic) they run a national enterprise
competition for secondary school students designed to develop and encourage their entrepreneurial
skills. Teams of students work with a mentor from the business community to learn about becoming
future business leaders, develop business ideas.”
“There is real untapped potential for SME’s to better impact and influence young people in local
areas, which is why Business in the Community has formed a new partnership with Goldman Sachs
245http://www.bitc.org.uk/about?us/what?we?do
246http://www.bitc.org.uk/programmes/business?class
88
to connect more SMEs with young people in schools across the country. The pilot aims to help many
more young people access entrepreneurial role models within school. Over the coming months, we
will be providing opportunities for smaller companies from Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Small Businesses
program to get involved in schools by joining some of the established business?school partnerships
in 15 key cities across the UK.”
“As well as helping young people with practical support around careers, interview techniques,
employability skills and CV workshops, the participating entrepreneurs will also offer real?
life inspiration to young people about the possibilities of setting up their own business by sharing
their own entrepreneurial backgrounds and stories.”
“Entrepreneurship is a valid and rewarding career choice. It is vital that young people get to hear
from people with the broadest range of backgrounds and experience what the world of work looks
like. We believe that exposing young people to innovative small businesses will give them a more
balanced picture of the local labour market and open their eyes to a broader number of potential
pathways post education which could involve working for a household name, but could also just as
easily see them start up their own venture or work for a start?up organisation.”
“BITC are aiming to create 500 Business Class partnerships by 2015 and we are excited at this new
possibility to inspire many more young people about entrepreneurship. By working in collaboration,
business of all sizes, together with schools can offer a much richer range of support for young people
than if we all worked individually. BICT urge business of all sizes to consider their role and how they
can each play their part to shape a motivated, generation of young people better equipped to
achieve their goals, and to contribute to a more competitive and productive UK plc.”
“Whilst many welcome the help large businesses bring to helping entrepreneurs start and develop
their businesses, the key to entrepreneur education is seen by many support programs as something
that lies with the small business. Clearly, this can be formal links in the education sector, or informal
within entrepreneur support programs, but linking established small businesses with more in
experienced start ups to share their experiences is vital. Key organisations have contributed to this
report to provide their views which are distilled here
247
. For example, the Federation of Small
Business
248
believes that enterprise education not only helps teach young people about business and
how to create one, but will also help them to develop employability skills such as effective
communication, self?management, team working and problem solving. In a recent survey of
members
249
, 46% of members do not believe that local schools and colleges prepare young people to
a sufficient standard for businesses and employers and when recruiting young people
250
. Equally, the
Forum of Private Business report
251
that one of the key links between education and employment
was severed in 2012 when the duty on schools to provide work related learning was abolished. The
duty, whilst far from perfect, provided a welcome opportunity for micro employers to support their
local community. In 2012 40% of Forum members were providing work experience for students from
247 Also see Appendix
248 See full FSB submission in Appendix
249 Federation of Small Businesses (2013). Voice of Small Business Q2 2013, Federation of Small Businesses.
250 Aged 24 and under
251 See full FPB submission in Appendix
89
local schools and colleges and 5% reported they would like to offer the experience
252
. The Forum
would like to see the duty reintroduced with a focus on schools working in partnership with
employers to provide young people with a broader ‘experience of work’ rather than simply a generic
weeklong placement.”
To further this line of thought, the National Enterprise Network
253
advocate that the more we can
get the business community into schools (from the earliest possible age) the better ? ideally however
that should be the smaller businesses, not just the larger ones. One of their key thoughts is that we
need to get far more professionals who have real experience of running businesses involved in
delivering enterprise education – all too often the business studies teacher is given the job and they
are very often not the best person. But the more we have real people with real experience living and
breathing the teaching of enterprise – the more chance we have of ensuring it is put across as a
positive option – rather than a last resort. The Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative (SFEDI)
report on potential challenges with linking businesses to enterprise education
254
:
“There is a need for the educator to invest time in enhancing understanding of the
entrepreneur and business owner as to teaching and assessment strategies, so experiences
can be used to enhance the learning experience of the learner.”
“There are a number of challenges surrounding how to bridge more traditional notions of
quality assurance in higher education and those promoted by ‘learning by doing’, i.e. in
facilitating a business owner or entrepreneur working with a learner to support their skills
development. For example, diaries may be a useful way of a business and the learner
capturing the key outcomes from the relationship but these tend to be rarely used in
enterprise education, in comparison to exams and assignments.”
“There are a number of challenges in managing the expectations of students around the inputs
of entrepreneurs and business owners as part of the enterprise education. On the one hand,
over?use within a course can lead to students not being able to place experience within theory
and perceiving the education experience as a training intervention. On the other hand, if one
type of entrepreneur is presented to the students on an ongoing basis, it may influence
perceptions as to the type of business activities pursued by them.”
“If entrepreneurs and business owners are used over and above the odd guest?speaker
lecture, there is a need for the educator to invest time in developing and maintaining
relationships so that experiences of the entrepreneur and owner?manager can be embedded
on a more meaningful basis. However, the educator rarely has the opportunity to identify
such commitments within current workload management systems in higher education.”
252 See; FPB, Referendum 200, Business Sustainability (July 2012)
253 See full NEN submission in Appendix
254 See full SFEDI submission in Appendix
90
Case Study 17 - Gazelle Colleges Group
The following case studies provide a flavour of the sorts of activity that are operating in the UK at
the moment:
“The Gazelle Colleges Group is a federation of further education colleges committed to transforming
the life chances and employment opportunities of young people through entrepreneurship.”
“Its 20 colleges are working closely with entrepreneurs and employers at local and national level to
develop the blueprint for entrepreneurial colleges.”
“Through innovative partnerships with employers, and new curriculum models that focus on giving
students commercial experience as they learn, Gazelle Colleges are redefining further education and
its role in preparing the UK’s young people to power the growth of the economy and small
businesses across the country.”
Gazelle Learning Companies
“Gazelle Learning Companies are a curriculum innovation by which colleges enter into joint?ventures
or franchises with new or existing companies, creating college?owned businesses which are staffed
by students. The purpose is to allow learners to experience a real commercial environment, and
work on behalf of clients alongside studying for a Diploma or BTEC qualification.”
“One example is Fit4Less at North Hertfordshire College. This is a franchise of low?cost gym facilities,
owned by the Energie Group. The College opened a franchise to create one of the pioneering Gazelle
Learning Companies, and it is currently staffed by a team of eight students, in roles ranging from
operational management of the gym to customer sales and personal training.”
“The students are working towards BTEC Level 2/3 qualifications in personal training. Within the
Fit4Less Gazelle Learning Company, students do not just get practical experience of being a personal
trainer or fitness instructor, but are given the chance to see how these skills apply within a business
environment, and gain commercial experience and perspective.”
Case Study 18 - Enterprise Rockers
“Enterprise Rockers is a free?to?join, independently owned, UK?based community interest company
working to make life better for micro business owners; those that employ between 0 and 9 members
of staff.”
“Jane Walton, Head Roadie for young people is a social entrepreneur, teacher and mentor working
in Yorkshire. For the past 7 years Jane has been promoting self?employment to young people.
Funded by the Labour Government, then the regional development agency and more recently the
91
Local Enterprise Partnership in North Yorkshire Jane has worked as an associate with YES Youth
Enterprise Services.”
“Since the launch of Enterprise Rockers in 2012 Jane has worked with schools and colleges to raise
the profile of self?employment and micro enterprise. She has presented at careers events, delivered
workshops and provided business mentoring to young people across all vocational areas and from
Year 10 to post?graduate. Jane has developed a model of delivery which addresses both the need to
provide information, advice and guidance to young people and also to support those that are ready
to enter into self?employment.”
“The work has highlighted a range of gaps in both education and business support which undermine
any attempt to engage young people in the idea of self?employment and to turn their ideas into
reality. A key issue is the lack of careers information which covers self?employment and uses local
micro businesses as examples. Jane has worked with colleges to develop this information and to
make links through Enterprise Rockers to local businesses.”
“The next step has been to develop workshops that provide an introduction to self?employment to
students of any discipline. Schools and colleges tend to assume that this will only be of interest to
business studies students. Workshops are interactive and engaging, aiming to identify what students
already know and providing them with insights into self?employment from ideas generation to book
keeping. A key element of this work has been to challenge the stereotype of the entrepreneur which
tends to focus on booted and suited millionaires which can exclude those studying the creative or
more vocational subjects.”
“As a result of the work, over 200 young people have received business mentoring which has been
designed from a young person's perspective and takes account of the current economic context
which may mean that a young person takes part?time work to generate an income whilst registering
as self?employed and continuing with further education and training. The key issues which have
been raised are the inflexibility of education and benefits systems to take account of this, young
people's lack of financial literacy, and the perceptions that exist around the need for lots of
paperwork and managing staff.”
“Enterprise rockers are committed to promoting self?employment to young people and to using
their experience to inform Government about the need for policies and processes that reflect the
reality of self employment and also promote the need for all young people to understand what it
means to be enterprising whether in employment, self?employment or education.”
92
8. Perspectives From Entrepreneurs
“Starting one’s own business is often disregarded as a viable option and the curriculum sadly
reflects this”
Zoe Jackson – Founder, Living the Dream
Introduction
The popular view is that the best time to start a business is in the late teens or early twenties
255
, but
often this is seen as unfounded as increasingly, young people are being saddled with debt from
education. If young people do start a business, in many cases it is likely to be after university or
college. Why is this? Put simply, entrepreneurship can provide career options for young people by
unleashing their economic potential
256
. It offers greater independence, higher income potential and
increased job satisfaction. Entrepreneurship offers the chance for gainful economic activity for
many. However, it must be noted that in general, young people have fewer business skills, less
knowledge and experience, less savings, reduced access to credit, business networks and sources of
information than older individuals. This is something that many schemes seek to address
257
.
Entrepreneurs are some of the best?placed people to provide policy makers with what mattered (or
matters) to them at the point they started their business, but also and arguably more importantly,
what made them want to start. In this chapter we seek data from entrepreneurs themselves, and a
selection of support programmes on what entrepreneurs desire in terms of support. It is vital to
gain the perspectives of the entrepreneurs themselves and ascertain what their experience was of
starting a business and what they see as the vital component to get people interested in starting a
business and a career as a business owner or entrepreneur. To shape this chapter, interviews were
carried out with a variety of entrepreneurs to provide anecdotal evidence to then explore some of
the key themes that came out when talking to entrepreneurs about their experiences and what they
think should be done to support more entrepreneurs. This is then coupled with published research
to develop the themes and provide recommendations of what entrepreneurs want to see developed
in policy to help develop an enhanced start up culture in the UK that supports entrepreneurs
effectively.
This is a synthesis of what selected programmes have found:
Research has been carried out by a number of programmes into what works in terms of supporting
young entrepreneurs, and what young entrepreneurs want. In this chapter, we have picked two
organisations to build a picture of what works for entrepreneurs in the UK to get people starting
business. Typically these organisations provide a means to gain mass opinion from a diverse
membership.
255http://under30ceo.com/why?twenty?somethings?are?best?suited?to?start?a?business/
256 ILO (2013). Global Employment Trends for Youth 2013. Geneva.
257 Ibid.
93
Virgin Media Pioneers
258
(VMP)
In 2011 a two month campaign was launched entitled “Control Shift: The rise of the Young
Entrepreneurs”
259
in which VMP aimed to amplify the voice that was central to economic prospects,
but often not heard – that of the Young Entrepreneur. In the research, VMP talked to hundreds of
young entrepreneurs and organisations involved in supporting them, in an aim to shift the focus
away from the boardroom and Cabinet Table, to gain real insight as to what works. The VMP
proposals were distilled into 5 key themes:
• Starting early – Transforming the way entrepreneurship is taught in school.
o A culture shift in the school system is needed to ensure practical experience for
students and teacher and increased exposure to businesses; mentoring in schools
supported by local business is key, and work with local chambers of commerce and
the FSB to facilitate business advice in the careers system.
• Fostering a culture of collaboration in enterprise support.
o Support programs have a responsibility to think innovatively about the best way to
present information for young entrepreneurs; enterprise support across the public
and private sector needs to work smarter to offer a progressive path for
entrepreneurs.
• Encouraging big business to support Britain’s Start?Ups.
o Encourage big businesses to open unused office space for start ups and supply local
business mentors and introduce more flexibility into the supply chain.
• Recalculating the way society invests in young people.
o Education establishments should consider more options for studying including
looking at accelerated courses that could be completed more efficiently.
• Encouraging young people to do it for themselves.
o Use Digital media to encourage young people to do it for themselves and give access
to contacts and advice.
RBS Inspiring Enterprise
260
In 2013, the RBS Group published a Manifesto for Youth Enterprise
261
in partnership with the RSA
262
,
with a commitment to further support more young people to explore and start businesses. Their
manifesto raises the following eight key areas:
• Set a challenge,
• Re?humanise entrepreneurship,
• Remove the cultural dampeners,
• Shine a light on everyday entrepreneurs,
258 www.virginmediapioneers.com
259 Virgin Media Pioneers (2011). Control Shift? The rise of the young entrepreneurs. London, Virgin Media Pioneers.
260 www.inspiringenterprise.rbs.com
261 RSA (2013). A Manifeso for Youth Enterprise. London, RSA and Royal Bank of Scotland.
262 www.thersa.org
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• Thread enterprise learning throughout education,
• Get beyond the classroom,
• Foster deeper educational partnerships,
• Make support more hands?on.
Much of the information they gleaned was from running series of workshops and events, talking to
practitioners and entrepreneurs along the way. This enabled them to produce a manifesto based on
direct feedback from stakeholders. This hopefully ensures that what is called for is direct and
relevant. In the manifesto they examine what is holding youth enterprise back, and identify the
landscape of youth enterprise as having three key challenges (taken directly from the manifesto):
The intention deficit – Too few young people have a clear intention to start a business compared to
other developed countries. Only 1 in 10 young people in the UK say they have serious
entrepreneurial intentions.
The ambition gap – Too few young people act on their entrepreneurial ambitions. Of the 10% of
young people who do say they want to start up in business, on average only a third are actually
doing so.
The drop?out rate – Too few young people stay in their business for a significant period of time.
Approximately a third drop out within their first 12 months in business, compared to 1 in 10 people
over the age of 30.
To address this they propose seven key principles:
• Get beyond London and the vogue industries? Support is often perceived as being too
heavily centred on London and the vogue industries such as the creative and technology
sectors. Future efforts could be geared more towards helping young people on the fringes,
such as those living outside the capital and who are starting up in less popular industries of
business.
• Enlist the power of the internet and informal support? Friends, family, co?founders and the
internet are seen as the major ‘hidden presences’ helping young people realise their
entrepreneurial potential. We should aim to recognise the support they provide and tap into
their skills, knowledge and connections.
• Be there for those further downstream? The majority of support for young people appears to
be directed at those who are in their very early stages of starting a venture, rather than
those further downstream. Future support efforts should consider doing more to help those
who have already started a business to sustain, adapt and grow it.
• Stimulate demand not just supply? It is often forgotten that fledgling businesses need
customers if they are to survive and grow. As well as helping young entrepreneurs get their
businesses up and running, we could also play a valuable role in creating demand for their
products and services.
• Value failure and create routes back into business? Dropping in and out of business is part
and parcel of life as an entrepreneur, yet this is often seen as business ‘failure’. Promoting
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the notion that failure is a necessary building block for skills development and learning
would encourage more young entrepreneurs who drop out of business to start again.
• Join forces and collaborate? The youth enterprise support community offers an abundance
of help to young people starting up in business. But this in itself can present issues, with the
duplication of services and confusion among young people about what is on offer being two
particular challenges. Working closer together would ensure that those in the support
community complement rather than compete with one another’s efforts.
• Know what works and share the learning? Flux is a common feature in the youth enterprise
support ecosystem. Evaluating activities and sharing best practice would help ensure that we
learn from failures and build on successes. The ecosystem of support should be
entrepreneurial itself and be willing to sacrifice the bad for the good.
Community
Everything we do today has to be done with collaboration in mind. From social media, website, e?
commerce, clients, partners and friends of the business need to be integrated into a back?office
solution. This solution needs to be in the cloud, mobile and allow import of big data sets to aid
internal learning and planning. Combine this with BPO techniques and you get a super slim and
super efficient business organisation focused on sales and customers. Again, running a business is
simple if we can focus on our business goals, learn to say NO more and have a clearly defined long
term goal.
Key Themes
Whilst the views of entrepreneur are vitally important in shaping policy for entrepreneur support, it
is important to recognize that people starting a business are not a homogeneous group and needs
vary wildly depending on circumstance. It is however clear that one of the fundamental calls from
both entrepreneurs and practitioners is to establish ‘enterprise’ in education early. This for many is
not necessarily about the process of starting a business, but more to do with the behaviours that
people need in the modern world. For example, in conversations with a number of entrepreneurs,
the process of getting staff was often linked with those very behaviours. Many entrepreneurs
mentioned that they were shocked by the lack of ability of young people applying for jobs they had
to actually be able to sell themselves on a CV, and this was linked to the very ‘entrepreneurial
behaviour’ that they would wish to see develop in people at an early age. It seems that enterprising
behaviour is a desired requirement in every walk of life.
There are a number of absolute key themes that are raised both through the work of support
programmes and through the case?study material. There are highlighted below and form a
fascinating view of what is needed to go forward and further support entrepreneurs in the UK. The
entrepreneurs were asked openly about their experience of ‘enterprise education’ and what they
might do to support entrepreneurs given a blank sheet. The entrepreneurs provided some
interesting topics, which have obvious links to those findings from the programmes. There are some
stark observations, for example:
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"Our education system is seriously lacking in preparing young people for the option of
enterprise and self?employment when leaving school, despite the fact that unemployment
numbers for young people are high and further education is financially out of reach for
many. Starting one’s own business is often disregarded as a viable option and the curriculum
sadly reflects this.”
Zoe Jackson, Living the Dream
The lack of an entrepreneurial element to education in schools features highly through the rhetoric.
The Key Themes developed through informal interviews and submissions by a variety of
entrepreneurs have been pulled out of the text to provide an indicative list of key findings at the end
of the chapter. Some of these have been discussed many times before, and some have not, but it is
useful to gain a synopsis of the rhetoric of the case?study entrepreneurs.
There are essentially 3 core themes that form a ‘support hierarchy’ of needs for entrepreneurs.
When this rough sketch of ideas is distilled, it creates a pyramid model as follows:
Fig 2? The entrepreneurial society pyramid
Diversity
It is important to recognise that it would appear much of the focus is on young people starting
businesses. However, there are numerous organisations that cover a diverse range of support
programmes to many different communities to address particular needs that those communities
have. Examples are numerous, but include the work of Mumpreneur UK
263
who provide support to
parents wishing to set up a business, Leonard Cheshire Disability
264
who provide support to people
with disabilities to set up in business and Prowess
265
who provide support for women in business.
These organisations provide import support to people with ideas who want to set up on their own.
263http://www.mumpreneuruk.com
264http://www.lcdisability.org/?lid=22221
265http://www.prowess.org.uk
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An import sector of the start?up community is that of older people, who often have a wealth of
marketable experience.
What entrepreneurs say:
The following section highlights 4 case studies on the experiences entrepreneurs have had starting
up in terms of their education, but also some candid ideas for what they think will work. There are a
further 7 in the appendix, and based upon all of these, conclusions have been drawn. These
entrepreneurs cover a wide spectrum of business and have had different levels of success. This has
immense value, as the experiences of entrepreneurs both collectively and individually can help form
vital ideas for policy considerations. Whilst clearly this report cannot represent the views of every
entrepreneur; what we have attempted to do is to call on the views of ‘grass routes’ entrepreneurs
who have started businesses through a variety of means and have also been involved in helping
others do the same. This hopefully gives an unbiased view of methods that they see will help start
businesses and begin their journey to become entrepreneurs.
Case Study 19 - Opinion- Zoe Jackson, Living the Dream
"Our education system is seriously lacking in preparing young people for the option of enterprise
and self?employment when leaving school, despite the fact that unemployment numbers for young
people are high and further education is financially out of reach for many. Starting one’s own
business is often disregarded as a viable option and the curriculum sadly reflects this.”
“Skills that equip a young person in self?employment or enterprise include business, finance,
marketing, PR, presentation skills and hands?on enterprise experience – such as setting up a venture
at school with the right support – and these should all be embedded into the curriculum from
primary school level.”
“These skills would not only encourage young people to set up a business, even whilst still at school,
as I did at the age of 16, but also help those take the step into work with confidence and an
entrepreneurial outlook, especially as organisations are increasing their value in entrepreneurial
spirit amongst their employees.”
“Whilst the creative and entertainment industries help significantly in fuelling our economy, our
Government is devaluing and dismantling creative subjects such as arts, drama, dance and music at
school.”
“I cannot contemplate a society without young people having open access to creativity within the
education system, irrespective of whether or not it is a career choice. The Arts help students in any
career, giving them skills in problem?solving, critical thinking, communication, innovation, creativity,
confidence and the ability to strive for excellence.”
“At the heart of enterprise is creativity, being able to think innovatively, and without the opportunity
to develop this within the context of the curriculum, there is little hope.”
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“Without a fully?rounded education, both creativity and enterprise will be lost. I ask the
Government to ensure the rightful place of enterprise and creative subjects in the school curriculum,
in order to place our next generation of young people as the future of our enterprise and creative
industries.”
Case Study 20 - Peter Harrington, Simventure
“Ten years before the lead up to starting out myself I had watched my mum launch and grow here
own company in Nottingham. Whilst I can’t remember being inspired by her to become self?
employed, I did witness the transformation of a person who ‘loved what they did’. There must have
been some ‘osmotic transfer’.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed Young Enterprise and was MD of a thriving company. However, I took no
business related courses at school. My degree in Leisure Management (1985?1989) did however put
me into situations where I was dealing with uncertainty, change and lots of people. I found I enjoyed
these challenges and the freedom and challenge of having to solve problems for myself; my tutor at
the time also provided structure to my thinking and heightened my self?belief. He was a strong
influence and encouraged my desire to start in business.”
“The recession of 1989 coincided with my degree qualification and attempts to join the job market.
Uninspired by the prospect of wearing a suit and conforming to the rules set by others and
increasingly interested in the idea of depending on myself I decided to set up a business in York
straight after graduation. This decision was also fuelled by a healthy dose of ignorance
266
.”
“Any Government needs to start by asking itself whether it is really serious about improving start?up
and survival rates over the medium to long term. If it is, then it must accept that it has to be
entrepreneurial in its intent and actions.”
“Here are some key recommendations that I would make:
• Use robust research to identify target groups (age, sector, geography, growth mindset) and
the support required.
• Accept that a top?down controlled approach doesn’t work because of costly bureaucracy
and client dependency*.
• Encourage/fund start?up hubs that involve and engage a growing community of
entrepreneurs and let them fly.
• Linked to hubs are practical courses that people can take which may/may not be linked to
wider qualifications.
266 This report is not intended to cover academic considerations on the balance of sharing entrepreneurial knowledge and
experience without stunting curiosity/innovation. For further information see Penaluna, K, Penaluna, A, Matlay, H & Jones,
C. (2013) ‘When did you last predict a good idea? The case of assessing Creativity explored’ Proceedings of the 35th
International Conference of the Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, November: Cardiff.
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• Reward ways of teaching and training that use experiential, hands?on methods and are
clearly innovative and client rather than tutor/process centred. Involve psychological
profiling so people better know themselves.
• Be honest and tell people from the outset that some of the above will fail.”
*One of my major concerns with the Enterprise Agency/Business Link model was the culture of
dependency it created. It became a numbers game for the agencies and over 15 years I don’t think I
really saw any change in the way training was delivered despite the technology transformation in
this period.”
“Part of the problem outlined above was the people in charge of the process. Was there any motive
for them to ever change: Did they have the skills to make improvements in the way they supported
budding entrepreneurs? Too often I found that the people in charge of start?up environments had
the ability to run a bank or a public sector department etc., but rarely the ability to think like and for
the entrepreneur. People starting and running businesses gravitate to people who they trust and
believe in and where/when this is not happening, start?up communities fragment and businesses
die.”
“With the increasing emphasis now on universities and colleges to provide business support I think
there is greater opportunity to create meaningful start?up hubs. However, I am concerned that these
centres will fall under the responsibility of a ‘manager’ who again chases numbers and focuses on
maintaining the status quo rather than being able to innovate and continuously drive matters
forward. Hubs need inspirational, generative leaders with an appropriate small business track record
that people starting in business understand and respect. Hubs that become magnets for people
seeking success and successful people create healthy communities where businesses flourish.”
Case Study 21 - Stephen Topfer, Founder, Winweb
“I was lucky to have gone to a school where they gave lessons in bookkeeping and business planning,
especially cash?flow planning. This has been of great help to me in the last 35 years running my own
businesses. Today this would have to a little broader as the business landscape has changed
considerably. This is reflected in the kind of business workshops we offer for start?ups and existing
businesses.
267
”
“Running a business can be very easy and successful when you follow some simple steps. What
needs to happen is that you get rid of distractions (i.e. technical, red?tape, back?office) and allow the
business owner to build a goal?focussed business. It is still shocking to me how many so called
'professionals' try to over?complicate the issues at hand. Keeping it simple is the most important
objective for anyone supporting or educating business owners.”
“Government needs to learn to get out of the way; 50 years of business support and the 5 year
mortality rate has not changed. We (WinWeb) operate already 20% lower among our clients and I'm
267https://www.winweb.com/winweb?hub/learn/
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confident we (WinWeb) can reduce the mortality rate to below 25% in the next 5 years. A good
business owner education should start in school and then extend to universities with easy entry
requirements and practical learning, while transferring basic business knowledge and latest research
at the same time.”
Case Study 22 - PRIME
“Older workers are highly experienced and can make a valuable contribution to the workplace and
the economy. It is, therefore, vital they are given opportunities and incentives to remain in the
workforce, whether as employees, self?employed or setting up their own businesses.”
“Currently nearly 4 million people aged between 50 and 65 are not economically active and more
than 400,000 of those are seeking employment. Once out of work, the over 50s find it
disproportionately difficult to find jobs and are far more likely to be long?term unemployed. This is a
wasted opportunity for many individuals but also for the economy.”
“The Prince’s Initiative for Mature Enterprise (PRIME) is a national charity dedicated to helping the
over 50s, who are out of work, unemployed or facing the prospect of redundancy, to set up their
own businesses. Educating aspiring mature entrepreneurs is at the heart of our work to build?up and
adapt older people’s skills to help them start sustainable new businesses.”
“We passionately believe access to appropriate education is extremely important for older people
who are looking to proactively change careers and those who are starting their own businesses as a
response to the lack of work opportunities. Education helps build?up older people’s skills, bring out
the best of their talents and consequently will help ensure their businesses go on to become
sustainable successes.”
“One route more older people are going down is self?employment, more so than any other age
group. There are 4.2 million people who work for themselves in the UK, 14% of the total workforce,
and older people are making a significant contribution to this number, as there are 1,757 million
over 50s people who are self?employed.”
“We deliver a suite of resources to help educate over 50s about enterprise, including: Workshops to
explain the benefits of starting an enterprise and how to develop a business idea; a business
programme covering the building blocks essential to any enterprise, such as understanding accounts
and preparing business plans; mentoring schemes, matching an experienced professional with an
entrepreneur in the start?up stage to share ideas and learn how best to develop a new enterprise.”
“While we’re making concerted efforts to educate mature entrepreneurs, we would like to see a
higher priority by Government, businesses and wider society to help older people. Searching online
will produce many organisations dedicated to youth enterprise; however there is not the same
amount of support for older people.”
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“We would like to see the Government encourage enterprise across all ages, including access to
funding, advice, mentoring, incentives and support mechanisms. Too many initiatives from
Westminster have a bias towards younger people; older people need support too especially as they
are the ones driving business creation.”
“Businesses also need to provide better education specific to older workers, such as training in
digital services to serve them better in the modern workplace and better prepare them if they were
to venture on their own. Businesses should also be better educated on how to provide advice post?
redundancy, so older people can explore all options.”
“The UK continues to discriminate against the over?50s in the workplace. We’re discarding an
invaluable resource and as the population ages, we’re putting an unfair burden on those aged
between 20 and 50, which is short?sighted given that a large number of older workers want to and
can make a significant contribution to the economy.”
Key Findings
• Entrepreneurship should be embedded in the curriculum at all levels ? but particularly at
secondary school level.
• Create a culture that mimics the experience of being ‘close’ to a micro business or small
firm, so people can understand what it is like to work in or run such a firm. This goes a long
way to ‘Re?humanising’ entrepreneurship.
• Make careers advice dedicate time to exploring the options of running your own business
rather than focusing specifically on ‘employment’.
• Create a culture where it is ‘fine to fail’? and value failure as a positive experience.
• Get better access to Specialist Support (Such as IP) for those who need it.
• Greater collaboration of all resources for young people ? with specific reference to business
start up and entrepreneurship as a career.
• Tell the ‘business’ story – links with education, and local identifiable grassroots businesses.
In addition, shine a light on everyday or grassroots entrepreneurs? these are the local and
identifiable champions of micro business who can and will provide valuable advice, and will
empathise with budding entrepreneurs.
• Embed holistic experiences and culture around enterprise and entrepreneurship in
education and beyond. For example, the more small businesses disappear from the high
streets? the less people will identify with them.
• Encourage big business to support Britain’s Start Ups: Big businesses have a role to play and
need to be in regular contact with local small businesses. For example, large businesses
should have a published quota of small business suppliers, and be fully involved in the
encouragement and support of start?ups with an altruistic attitude. Redundant office space
could be made available and mentors supplied to start ups etc.
• Re?calculate the way society invests in Young People and entrepreneurs in general.
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9. Conclusions and Recommendations
Our research looked at both the cognitive psychology of enterprise and what an enterprising mind is,
and considered practical examples from both the UK and international enterprise and entrepreneur
education interventions. The variety of educational interventions is substantial, but we found little
work pulling these examples together and evaluating them either individually or together and
setting out proposals for change based on best practice. It was also clear that there were a number
of drivers at stake influencing where best practice was to be found and how effective it was. For
example ‘Ready Unlimited’ in Rotherham, a project in the town of Rotherham designed a number of
interventions across both primary and secondary schools to develop an enterprise culture, set of
skills, and new relationship between schools and the business community very successfully, but the
initiative faltered when the “Every Child Matters” programme ended, along with RDA funding and
the place and standing in the curriculum for enterprise education. Practicing what they preach,
“Ready Unlimited” now run as a social enterprise, and engage in broader thinking with the Higher
Education Community.
Likewise, we firmly believe that the policy measures that are needed span a number of Government
departments, and are not just a matter for the Department of Education. We believe these policies
need to drive a culture change not dissimilar to the Government’s policies to change attitudes to
manufacturing and to deliver the STEM skills needed that were lacking. The SME community is little
understood and is less engaged with education that the well?respected household names of the FTSE
companies and large professional service firms. Parents and children alike do not think of a career in
SMEs, yet we know that the likelihood of this happening is far greater than a job in a company with a
household name.
Over the past year of our review we have also spoken to businesses and business groups, including
the CBI, Chamber of Commerce, and the Federation of Small Businesses. We have also taken on
board the views of the new venture capital groups involved in start?ups and university spin?outs.
Initiatives such as Mercier and the new entrepreneur placement schemes like The New
Entrepreneur’s Foundation
268
offer great insights into what might be needed. We listened to those
involved in those looking to come back to the workplace through opportunities such as Prime and
Working Mums. We also took on board the views of Local Enterprise Partnerships
269
. A full list of
contributors is included at the end of this paper, and whilst this is extensive, clear patterns of
thinking have emerged.
There was an overwhelming consensus that enterprise education had been left in the backwater to
the detriment of the SME community – and the growth agenda. It seemed to have been tarred with
the same brush as vocational training within education paths. However, as illustrated by the fact
that more 18 year olds now choose apprenticeships over university, the need for enterprise
education much earlier and in a more holistic sustainable form is needed more than ever. Enterprise
education has sometimes been confused with work readiness. While enterprise education improves
268http://newentrepreneursfoundation.com/
269 Correspondence from David Frost – Chair of the Local Enterprise Partnership network op.cit.
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work readiness it is not the same thing, although there is unquestionably an overlap; an enterprising
individual needs to be an innovative and forward thinking team player that seeks out and seizes
upon opportunity.
Specific Recommendations: An Overview
1. The Government should have an overarching strategy crossing Government departments
on enterprise education.
2. The Government should bring clarity and definition to what enterprise education and
entrepreneurship education are; they are equally important, but different.
3. Teacher training should include a module on enterprise education.
4. The Government should deliver a new section of the OFSTED report called ‘business
engagement’, quite separately from community engagement.
5. Businesses that engage with enterprise and entrepreneurship education should be able to
set all related expenses against tax ? including their time ? and receive training vouchers to
spend on developing themselves or their employees.
6. Peer?to?peer networks have impact and need more overt recognition, funding and support
from Government.
7. Universities UK should seek ways to work amongst its members to engender commitment
and effect change toward entrepreneurship, and as a first step to provide a minimum
provision of an introductory module on entrepreneurship. This should be designed for
students of all disciplines, so that all students are able to explicitly learn about business start?
up. HEIs should similarly be encouraged and supported to incorporate embedded enterprise
education in context?led/subject?specific curriculum ? so all students are encouraged to
consider themselves as enterprising individuals who both benefit from, and contribute to,
their HEI’s commitment to support economic growth.The many associated bodies and
partners committed to this agenda, including, but not limited to, HEFCE, ABS, NCEE, QAA,
Enterprise Educators UK, ISBE and LEPs should all step forward to work with UUK vigorously to
this end.
8. The Association of Business Schools (ABS) should undertake a rigorous piece of research to
measure how many entrepreneurs emerge from business schools, what steps might be taken
to improve this, and what interdisciplinary approaches can inform the Business Schools.
270
9..Long term research is needed for long term visions, e.g. alumni perspectives showing not
just the start but also the progressive impact of enterprise education and support.
10. A working group should be established between the Gazelle Colleges Group, universities
and business schools alongside the CBI, FBI, SFEDI and other business groups to put forward
proposals and recommendations to improve the number and quality of new business start?ups
and micro venture support through changes in higher education.
11. Government support for educators developing innovation in early years must extend to
better informed assessments and changes of OFSTED assessments meters.
12..Further, the Government must incentivize school educators in enterprise education
beyond OFSTED and assessment criteria.
270http://www.associationofbusinessschools.org/category/tags/abs
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13..The Government should propose recommendations to support the education of work
returners wishing to establish their own business which should cross BIS, DFE and DWP.
14..Every LEP Board should have at least two members from the SME community, one of
which should be an entrepreneur.
15..Applications for funding by LEP’s from the Regional Growth Fund and other government
funding sources should include an evidenced statement of the steps it has taken regarding
entrepreneur support, including but not limited to mentoring and skills training, with funding
being conditional on this being satisfactory.
16..The LEP should be obliged to engage with the local education community, for which
without a plan and progress report, no applications can be made for Government funding
under the RGF.
17..The Government should look towards the world stage for best practice and similar
initiatives.
Key Recommendations:
The Government should have an overarching strategy crossing Government departments on
enterprise education. This strategy should reflect the needs of the full education spectrum, not just
tertiary education. It should also cover returners to work, especially if they are not familiar with the
needs of small and micro enterprises.
The Government should make enterprise education a mandatory part of the curriculum from 4 to 18
and delivery should be appropriately assessed in an informed way by OFSTED, with reference to the
curriculum?wide approach discussed.
Government needs to clearly articulate what its own definitions of enterprise education and
entrepreneurship education are, as there are a number of widely used versions. OFSTED define
enterprise as having three strands, only one of which, financial literacy, is from 2014 a mandatory
part of the curriculum. The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education offers a lead on this, and
their work is consistently referenced in any new university level provision. These need to inform the
decision?making process.
While NACUE with Government sponsorship have driven student awareness and support of
enterprise and entrepreneurship across the tertiary sector, academic support and subsequently its
engagement is not at the same level. Universities UK should seek ways to work amongst its
members to engender commitment and effect change toward entrepreneurship, and as a first step
to provide a minimum provision of an introductory module on entrepreneurship. This should be
designed for students of all disciplines, so that all students are able to explicitly learn about
business start?up. HEIs should similarly be encouraged and supported to incorporate embedded
enterprise education in context?led/subject?specific curriculum ? so all students are encouraged to
consider themselves as enterprising individuals who both benefit from, and contribute to, their
HEI’s commitment to support economic growth.The many associated bodies and partners
committed to this agenda, including, but not limited to, HEFCE, ABS, NCEE, QAA, Enterprise
Educators UK, ISBE and LEPs should all step forward to work with UUK vigorously to this end. Such
a module can be used to trigger more advanced learning and to facilitate further curricular change; it
105
should focus on learning and developing capacity for enterprising endeavour, and not merely involve
learning about the topic.
The majority of graduates from business schools pursue a career in management, many with high
street names ? few set up businesses themselves. Most entrepreneurs have reported that they
either never go to university or read a non business?related subject. We note Lord Young’s request
to the Association of Business Schools to develop a new national Supporting Small Business Charter.
We recommend the ABS should continue research into how many entrepreneurs emerge from
business schools, developing ideas for steps to be taken to improve this, and what interdisciplinary
approaches can inform the Business Schools.
The Gazelle Colleges Group puts enterprise at the heart of what they do. Likewise the HE sector has
made significant inroads, not least in having an overarching quality framework for all University?level
education. Their work should be promoted and made subject to clear UK quality standards, and
Government should then endorse their kite mark. There will be learning here for both parties. A
working group should be established between the Gazelle Colleges, Educator Networks,
universities and Business Schools alongside the CBI, SFEDI and other business groups to put
forward proposals and recommendations to improve the number and quality of new business start
ups and micro venture support through changes in Further and Higher education.
Government should re?evaluate its start?up business funding support schemes. There is clear
evidence based on research undertaken by Cambridge University that money on its own will not
increase enterprise. Mentoring and education are by far the most effective methods. Government
should look at the initiatives being led by some of the venture capital university spin?out businesses,
programmes like the School for Start Ups and the New Entrepreneurs Foundation which combine
work experience, education and mentoring to identify what aspects of this integrated approach can
be made scalable. Money spent here may deliver more than existing voucher and loan schemes.
Post full time education support for start?ups is patchy. There are a number of social enterprises
and charities that engage in this area but it is a bit hit and miss. The Princes Trust and Prime are
good examples but can only help so many. We know that part time further education uptake is
declining. We recommend the Government establish a working group to propose
recommendations to educationally support work returners wishing to establish their own business
which should cross BIS, DFE and DWP.
Local Enterprise Partnerships are tasked with driving small business growth in their local economy
and while many plans include proposals for entrepreneur support including, but not limited to,
mentoring support and skills training, this is not universally happening. We recommend every LEP
Board must have at least two members from the SME community one of which must be an
entrepreneur. We further recommend that applications for funding from Regional Growth Fund
must include an evidenced statement of the steps it has taken regarding entrepreneur support
including, but not limited to, mentoring and skills training, with funding being conditional on this
being satisfactory. Finally we recommend an obligation on the LEP to engage with the local
education community without a plan for which and progress report no funding applications can be
made for Government funding under the RGF.
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Local engagement between SME businesses and the education system needs to be increased and
incentivised. The old work experience and careers advice only goes so far. The UTC has been a
remarkable vehicle to deliver true engagement across curriculum development and more broadly in
the community. The Government needs to deliver a new section of the OFSTED report called
business engagement, quite separately from community engagement. This needs to look at how
schools build a sustainable relationship with local businesses of all sizes, perhaps looking at the
Rotherham model. It is crucial that this includes small businesses and local traders. We need role
models from the micro enterprise and SME community including the self employed sole trader
preferably to engage. Young people particularly need to be able to identify with local small
businesses and experience as much as possible what it is like to run one. This could be though a mix
of direct engagement and using simulation software for example. We recommend businesses that
engage can set all related expenses against tax including their time and receive training vouchers
to spend on developing themselves or their employees.
The Government should look towards the world stage for best practice and similar initiatives. The
United Nations Conference for Trade and Development has published useful frameworks on the
development of an entrepreneurial ecosystem and the European Commission have undertaken
significant work on enterprise educator development. Many European Countries already have policy
structures in place and these can inform issues such as educator network development and new
learning for teacher training. The UK education system needs to move from a culture of dependency
to one of initiative taking and innovation.
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Appendix - Full Contributions
Appendix 1- Contributions From Entrepreneurs
Zoe Jackson, Living the Dream
"Our education system is seriously lacking in preparing young people for the option of enterprise
and self?employment when leaving school, despite the fact that unemployment numbers for young
people are high and further education is financially out of reach for many. Starting one’s own
business is often disregarded as a viable option and the curriculum sadly reflects this.”
“Skills that equip a young person in self?employment or enterprise include business, finance,
marketing, PR, presentation skills and hands?on enterprise experience – such as setting up a venture
at school with the right support – and these should all be embedded into the curriculum from
primary school level.”
“These skills would not only encourage young people to set up a business, even whilst still at school,
as I did at the age of 16, but also help those take the step into work with confidence and an
entrepreneurial outlook, especially as organisations are increasing their value in entrepreneurial
spirit amongst their employees.”
“Whilst the creative and entertainment industries help significantly in fuelling our economy, our
Government is devaluing and dismantling creative subjects such as arts, drama, dance and music at
school.“
“I cannot contemplate a society without young people having open access to creativity within the
education system, irrespective of whether or not it is a career choice. The Arts help students in any
career, giving them skills in problem?solving, critical thinking, communication, innovation, creativity,
confidence and the ability to strive for excellence.”
“At the heart of enterprise is creativity, being able to think innovatively, and without the opportunity
to develop this within the context of the curriculum, there is little hope.”
“Without a fully?rounded education, both creativity and enterprise will be lost. I ask the
Government to ensure the rightful place of enterprise and creative subjects in the school curriculum,
in order to place our next generation of young people as the future of our enterprise and creative
industries.”
Nikki Hesford, Made in Preston
“My experience of business back in 2008 when I began consisted of a B grade GCSE in Business
Studies and nothing else, and this module of study provided nothing of value in the real world of
business other than knowing the difference between a sole trader and a Ltd. company! In order to
set up my business and begin trading I relied 50% on Google, 30% on advice given by local enterprise
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agencies (which no longer exist) and 20% on friends/family/picking up the phone/reading business
forum discussions.”
“I attended various day?courses ran by enterprise agencies; there was one about taxation/basic
accounting, one about marketing, and one about how to network effectively. These were very good,
free resources, and the only opportunity I had to get together with a dozen other local people who
were also in the same boat of starting their first business. Sadly, there is no longer any funding for
these events, and they no longer exist.”
“If the objective is to learn how to better prepare young people for an enterprising future, basic life
skills should be routinely taught. Do they teach students in school how to register a domain name?
What is hosting? What is a credit score? What are the repercussions of not bothering to pay your
mobile phone bill? Basic contract law should be taught in schools – what makes a contract binding,
what to check before signing a contract, what to include if writing a contract. How to write
formal/business letters (I don’t know about you, but the way I was taught to write a letter in school
was by indenting the first paragraph, your address only… etc, not a format I’ve ever seen a letter
written in as an adult!) Young people have good ideas, creative and innovative designs and
inventions, but they lack the basic life skills to run a business or even to be a useful member of a
team. The same applies for apprentices. The £1,500 grant is not incentive enough to have to babysit
a 16 year old for 35 hours a week whose work needs constantly checking because you can’t assume
they have the independent thought or initiative to do something correctly without it being spoon?
fed. To quote Einstein: “it is a miracle curiosity survives formal education” and it’s (sadly) true.”
“As aforementioned, having basic life skills in the first place would be useful. Knowing how to open a
bank account, knowing how to write a business plan, knowing what profit and loss mean… at the
moment these are skills only taught to those taking specific business modules, yet these should be
given to everyone.”
“Although there are soft loans and funding available, these are (in my experience) processed and
authorised by people who have never run a business in their lives. Retired bankers,
accountants, hedge fund managers. The commercial banks have branch managers, who have also
never run businesses in their lives – nor do they have the discretion to talk to someone and decide if
they should lend them money; most of the time it’s the computer that says no. When handing over
£60million to a regional development agency to decide who should use that money in the form of
loans from £5,000 ? £50,000, don’t just give them an application form the size of War and Peace and
leave them to get on with it, before spending eight weeks processing it, only to halt the application
two months down the line because there isn’t any proof enclosed that their car insurance covers for
business use (I kid you not)…”
“And then when these people do get the money, they are simply abandoned with £50,000 burning in
their back pocket, and nobody to help them along their way. Surely some kind of mentoring should
be included (from someone who has actually ran a successful business) – the level of help correlating
to the amount of money being loaned?”
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“There is a definite need for more business mentors, but these people a) need to have a proven
business success and not just someone who calls themselves a ‘coach’ and b) good people need to
be paid. If you pay peanuts you will get monkeys, and then you have monkeys teaching other
monkeys how to spend £50,000 when for the sake of paying a decent consultancy rate of £500?800 a
day for a day a month, for 6 months, you can ensure that someone is helping the business use that
money effectively and wisely. I have seen some enterprise agencies calling out for mentors and I
believe from discussions with colleagues about it, people have been told the positions are unpaid
when they have enquired.”
Jacob Hill, The Lazy Camper
“I had my first encounter with enterprise education at Brighouse High School, an enterprise school in
Yorkshire. Most lessons taught had a certain enterprise element to them, which always got me
thinking from the age of 11. I successfully set up a sweet cartel across 2 schools before I was 15,
which, when found out, shocked my teachers!”
“My college years saw a completely different approach from my teachers in terms of encouraging
enterprise; they simply didn't care about it. Their main concern was getting myself as one of three
thousand students through their A levels... But this got me in to my university.”
“I am currently in my third year of study at the University of Huddersfield on the Enterprise
development degree, one of three of its kind in the UK. The degree is designed to support students
to build their business whilst completing a degree endorsed by Theo Paphitis.”
“My education has helped me build my business, as I am passionate about learning the theory.
However, my main learning of enterprise has come from practice, without a doubt. Experience is
what you get, when you don't get what you want.”
“There is so much support out there for start?up businesses from Government, i.e. start up loans and
ERDF offering finance and mentoring, which is great.”
“Private firms are also helping out where they can, namely Shell LiveWire, Virgin Media Pioneers,
Intuit, Start?up Britain and esparkuk. They help for a good PR story and as part of their brand CSR.
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”
“I believe I would have thrived more with not just one mentor but a few. The enterprise team at the
University of Huddersfield has a business workshop event every week ranging from guest speakers
sharing not only their success but their failures as well, to finance seminars learning how to build a
cash flow etc.”
“These are helpful workshops which unlike have just one mentor means we have access to a wide
range of people.”
271 Also see chapter 6 for information on large businesses supporting entrepreneurs
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Peter Harrington, Founder, Simventure
“Ten years before starting out myself I had watched my mum launch and grow here own company in
Nottingham. Whilst I can’t remember being inspired by her to become self?employed, I did witness
the transformation of a person who ‘loved what they did’. There must have been some osmotic
transfer.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed Young Enterprise and was MD of a thriving company. However, I took no
business?related courses at school. My degree in Leisure Management (1985?1989) did however put
me into situations where I was dealing with uncertainty, change and lots of people. I found I enjoyed
these challenges and the freedom and challenge of having to solve problems for myself; my tutor at
the time also provided structure to my thinking and heightened my self?belief. He was a strong
influence and encouraged my desire to start in business.”
“The recession of 1989 coincided with my degree qualification and attempts to join the job market.
Uninspired by the prospect of wearing a suit and conforming to the rules set by others and
increasingly interested in the idea of depending on myself I decided to set up a business in York
straight after graduation. This decision was also fuelled by a healthy dose of ignorance.”
“Any Government needs to start by asking itself whether it is really serious about improving start?up
and survival rates over the medium to long term. If it is, then it must accept that it has to be
entrepreneurial in its intent and actions.”
“Here are some key recommendations that I would make:
• Use robust research to identify target groups (age, sector, geography, growth mindset) and
the support required.
• Accept that a top?down controlled approach doesn’t work because of costly bureaucracy
and client dependency*.
• Encourage/fund start?up hubs that involve and engage a growing community of
entrepreneurs and let them fly.
• Linked to hubs are practical courses that people can take which may/may not be linked to
wider qualifications.
• Reward ways of teaching and training that use experiential, hands?on methods and are
clearly innovative and client rather than tutor/process centred. Involve psychological
profiling so people better know themselves.
• Be honest and tell people from the outset that some of the above will fail.”
*One of my major concerns with the Enterprise Agency/Business Link model was the culture of
dependency it created. It became a numbers game for the agencies and over 15 years I don’t think I
really saw any change in the way training was delivered despite the technology transformation in
this period.
“Part of the problem outlined above was the people in charge of the process. Was there any motive
for them to ever change: Did they have the skills to make improvements in the way they supported
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budding entrepreneurs? Too often I found that the people in charge of start?up environments had
the ability to run a bank or a public sector department etc. but rarely the ability to think like and for
the entrepreneur. People starting and running businesses gravitate to people who they trust and
believe in and where/when this is not happening, start?up communities fragment and businesses
die.”
“With the increasing emphasis now on universities and colleges to provide business support I think
there is greater opportunity to create meaningful start?up hubs. However, I am concerned that these
centres will fall under the responsibility of a ‘manager’ who again chases numbers and focuses on
maintaining the status quo rather than being able to innovate and continuously drive matters
forward. Hubs need inspirational, generative leaders with an appropriate small business track record
that people starting in business understand and respect. Hubs that become magnets for people
seeking success and successful people create healthy communities where businesses flourish.”
Drew Ellis, Founder, Like Minds
“I had no formal education in starting a business. This is a major element missing from the education
system even now. I was educated to degree level (BA Hons. Graphic Design) and it was only through
initially working for a small design practice that I got to understand the real mechanics of business. I
was able to experience it first hand, as in a small business you do everything. I learnt a range of
things that my degree hadn’t equipped me for. In simple terms I could produce the work (thanks to
my training) but had no idea how to sell it, or build what I did into a business of my own. The
experience of working in a creative and collaborative business inspired me to start my own four
years later which I built up and eventually sold to a British PLC before I was 30. It was this experience
that then set me on the path of entrepreneurship ? once you’ve built and successfully sold a business
(at whatever level) you’re inspired to do it again and again.”
“How not to do it? Don’t try and do it on your own. Every business needs partners and collaborators.
Search them out, share your vision and find someone who wants to join you on the journey. Don’t
rely on banks, they only provide access to money when you don’t need it. Find investment
elsewhere, bootstrap the company for as long as you can or until the money starts to flow and then
reinvest it back into the business to allow it to grow. Don’t go out and find an office ? use a cost
effective collaborative space or shared office scheme.”
“I think people leaving education (at whatever age) or their current employment should be inspired
to build a business. Small businesses are the life blood of this country. To be able to work in a shared
environment where you sit alongside your peers who are all working on developing a business idea
is an incredibly stimulating and supportive environment.”
“My business, Like Minds, started a co?working club in partnership with a central London hotel that
had the space available. In a matter of months we had over 80 people working from the space across
a range of business sectors. Freelancers found clients, clients found suppliers and employees and
one start up grew from two people into a global business that now have offices in four countries.
They believe that the collaborative environment we provided helped fast track them into the
business they are today.”
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“We are now looking to establish this type of environment at a much larger scale in London and then
look to build these Co?Working Clubs across the country. In these environments we can establish
learning platforms and frameworks like Like Minds U
272
which we’re running in Liverpool at the IFB in
July, which support and educate start?ups in the areas they’re weak in.”
“If this country had a network of spaces where people could start businesses in a stimulating
environment creating a shared experience coupled with a structured learning platform that people
could dip in and out of to suit their requirements then I think that would go a long way providing the
support needed. Like Minds is there to help foster this thinking and build these platforms in
partnership with Government and larger scale business partners.”
“In a more formal education program, schools should look to work with more small businesses and
get them to come in and tell 5th/6th formers their story. People love stories, and practical lessons in
how someone created and built a business are inspirational moments that should be shared with the
next generation.””
Simon Barker, Founder, Radfan
“My education included very little ‘business stuff’ and when it did, as an engineer, I paid very little
attention. I certainly wish I had paid more attention, however I feel that (2 years into running a new
company) the formalised education on offer doesn’t really prepare you for life as a start?up founder;
I think you just have to pick it up as you go along. The areas where it would be useful are in
accounting and finance, as making a balance sheet actually balance is a massive challenge in the first
month when you are coming up with forecasts and can’t afford an accountant.”
“The other area that could do with some focus is sales and marketing; this is the most important
part of any business and an area that techie folks like myself gloss over in the early days.”
“I think the most useful thing for people is hearing others’ stories. What we find useful is hearing
talks from people just a bit further down the path from us. So in the early days it would have been
good to hear from people 1 or 2 years into the business (doing something similar, i.e. high
growth/lifestyle/shop etc). This remains true now that we are 2 years in; we like to hear from people
who are 4 and 5 years in.”
“The problem with speakers at universities is that they get people who started their business 15
years ago and sold it 3 years ago to talk. This is too remote and distant from where pre?start people
are, and the messages (while they could still be the same) don’t get across as well.”
“Money to pay for food and rent: Revenue funding is all well and good but once you have the advice
from the expensive business consultant you still need money to action it and also keep a roof over
your head. The biggest hurdle to young people starting business is this problem, and it is infuriating
when all the little pots of money are only allowed to be used to pay for advice. Generally a start?up
272http://wearelikeminds.com/likemindsu
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can get all the advice it needs over a few cups of coffee with a variety of people ? the problem is
paying for equipment, food, accountants, lawyers to raise money etc.”
“In an ideal world entrepreneurs should be able to apply for some kind “entrepreneurs benefit”. I
know this sounds very un?self?reliant but when you know you could sit on your backside and get
benefits instead of start a business (or get a “real job” with a steady income) it can be very
frustrating ? especially if you want to start a company that will be pre?revenue for a couple of years.
Ideally angels and VCs would step in and fund you, but that can be very hit or miss in the UK and pre?
revenue freaks investors out.”
Joanna Montgomery, Founder, Little Riot
“I wouldn't say I had much education around starting a business within the curriculum. There was
nothing at primary school and nothing at high school except generic 'business studies' (which I didn't
even take). At university, in our later years we were encouraged to think about the bigger picture ?
e.g. I studied a design/computing degree, and eventually our projects had to include elements such
as at least thinking about how much something would cost to implement, or how/if it would
generate profit. I attended my university's Enterprise Society which is where I learned how to do
things like market research, writing a cash?flow forecast, preparing a business plan etc. At the time, I
didn't do this because I thought I wanted to run a business, I did it because I had an idea that I
wanted to see come to life; much how I started my business in the end, really.”
“I think there is a lot of support available for people wishing to start service, retail or software?based
businesses. My bugbear is with electronics/hardware ? it's something I have struggled to find help
with for over 3 years (and still do). Given that the UK is so keen to promote manufacture within
Britain, there should be more help for those who are actively looking to do that. I have been loudly
looking for help/advice in this area for years ? at least once a day, I get so frustrated that I think I'd
be better to get on a plane to San Francisco as I know I could find what I'm looking for there.”
Stephen Topfer, Founder, Winweb
“I was lucky to have gone to a school where they gave lessons in bookkeeping and business planning,
especially cash?flow planning. This has been of great help to me in the last 35 years running my own
businesses. Today this would have to a little broader as the business landscape has changed
considerably. This is reflected in the kind of business workshops we offer for start?ups and existing
businesses.”
“Running a business can be very easy and successful when you follow some simple steps. What
needs to happen is that you get rid of distractions (i.e. technical, red?tape, back?office) and allow the
business owner to build a goal?focused business. It is still shocking to me how many so?called
'professionals' try to over?complicate the issues at hand. Keeping it simple is the most important
objective for anyone supporting or educating business owners.”
“Government needs to learn to get out of the way; 50 years of business support and the 5 year
mortality rate has not changed. We (WinWeb) operate already 20% lower among our clients and I'm
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confident we (WinWeb) can reduce the mortality rate to below 25% in the next 5 years. A good
business owner education should start in school and then extend to universities with easy entry
requirements and practical learning, while transferring basic business knowledge and latest research
at the same time.”
Abdul Khan, Founder, Pass The Popcorn
“So far, I have started 2 businesses and taken over 1. The very first business I had started did not
perform as expected, which allowed me to learn a lot. For me, experience is the best of teachers. I
had no formal 'lessons' on how to do business other than hearing of my (late) father's experiences
(at a young age) in holding restaurants and takeaways that served Indian/Bangladeshi curry. These
were all told in informal settings; looking back I wish I had concentrated more on what was said.”
“In an ideal world, skills needed in enterprise would be taught in a more formal setting, so those
teaching can be taken more seriously. Those who want to work for themselves know it as a little
spark, from what I believe is a very young age. If we could identify these individuals early on, in a
school environment, they would be encouraged to pick up vital skills to succeed. In an ideal world,
we would also teach these individuals to embrace failure, as currently coming first and always
winning holds too much precedent. This behaviour can be dangerously discouraging for aspiring
entrepreneurs. I understand that nearly all successful entrepreneurs had many failures along the
way, but their resilient character keeps them going and improving on the last experience.”
Ronke Ige, Founder Emi and Ben
“I’m happy to say that my experience of starting a business was born during my senior years at
secondary school. This was through an enterprise initiative where year groups were put into groups
to create businesses of 5?6 pupils. Members of each team voted their ‘colleagues’ to take up the
various roles on offer, e.g. Managing Director, Head of Marketing etc and as a group the brief was to
brainstorm a business idea surrounding a product, develop the product, go to market and make a
profit. The winning team across the year was then entered into a national school competition. Our
team developed a range of personalised photo clocks which were extremely popular across the
school. Our team, named ‘Elvis Enterprises’ went onto win the school competition and nationals
finals. It was from this point I knew I wanted to run my own businesses, which led me to choosing to
do my A?Levels within Business.”
“It would be great to introduce the option of self employment/enterprise from an early age to be
mandatory across the Secondary School curriculum. Enterprise is a career choice which many young
people are familiar with as this generation are seeing from firsthand experience due to their family,
friends and celebrities, being a path that is increasingly popular and is something which could
potentially be successful for them.”
“Had I learnt about business in a more in?depth manner when I was younger, I’m sure I would have
chosen to go down the route of self?employment sooner than I did. I still feel it’s important to go
out there and work for an external organisation within the business or corporate sector first, as such
experience is invaluable; it was for me having worked in the PR industry for several years prior to
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going self?employed. However, having the in?depth business knowledge and then the professional
business environment as my armour would have definitely given me the confidence to start my
businesses earlier than the age of 28.”
.
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Appendix 2- Contributions From Agencies and Support
Organisations
Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative (SFEDI)
The QAA Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (England) in General Business and
Management states that:
“Preparation for business should be taken to mean the development of a range of specific business
knowledge and skills, together with the improved self?awareness and personal development
appropriate to graduate careers in business with the potential for management positions and to
employability in general. This includes the encouragement of positive and critical attitudes towards
change and enterprise, so as to reflect the dynamism and vibrancy of the business environment.
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”
“In the majority of schools, Further Education colleges and Higher Education Institutions, there is a
range of offerings to assist learners in realising business and enterprise potential. These offerings are
embedded both in the curriculum and as an extra?curricular activity. As a result, learners may have
multiple business and enterprise experiences prior to finishing their studies, where they are exposed
to different conceptualisations of business, enterprise and entrepreneurship (Hartshorn, 2002).”
However, in a report produced by the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship (NCGE), the
National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) and the Council for Industry and
Higher Education (CIHE) concluded that:
“Entrepreneurship education is currently taught primarily through modules in business school
courses and extra?curricular activities. HEIs need to enhance the perception and relevance of
entrepreneurship education, so students and staff recognise the value of its combination of
innovation, creativity, collaboration and risk?taking skills to a wide range of disciplines.
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”
“Indeed, a brief review of business and enterprise education in the UK identifies that the majority of
provision relates to ‘learning about’ rather than ‘learning for’. The former is focused on enhancing
understanding of business and enterprise through reflection on knowledge and theory, whilst the
latter is about developing the mindset and capabilities required to be enterprising and
entrepreneurial.”
“The focus on ‘learning about’ reflects not only the prevailing methodological paradigm within
enterprise and entrepreneurship (which influences how enterprise and entrepreneurship is
researched and taught as well as the importance attached to certain assessment methods vis?à?vis
others), but also the focus on enterprise and entrepreneurship as new venture creation (Gartner,
1985; Down, 2010).”
273http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/InformationandGuidance/Documents/FHEQ08.pdf
274http://www.ncee.org.uk/publication/developing_entrepreneurial_graduates.1.pdf
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“Gibb (2007) and Penaluna and Penaluna (2011) note that this focus on ‘learning about’ rather than
‘learning for’ has resulted in a lack of innovative practice in business and enterprise education,
particularly in terms of embedding the experiences of business people in curriculum development
and providing an enterprising business and enterprise education experience through teaching and
assessment.”
“In terms of the former, a recent European Commission study noted that there are a number of
areas of ‘need to know’ in terms of embedding the experiences of businesses in the development
and delivery of business and enterprise education, and balancing the notions of expertise between
the educator and the business person (The European Commission, 2013). With the provision of an
enterprising business and enterprise education, for example, the guidance around effective
assessment has not developed along with the growth of offerings and, as a result, the guidance is
somewhat limited. The QAA benchmark statements on enterprise and entrepreneurship education
only devote a couple of pages of A4 to issues related to learning and assessment and note that there
are a lack of support structures for enterprise educators to enhance their professional development
as educators (QAA, 2012).”
“There are a number of opportunities and challenges related to embedding the experiences of
businesses in enterprise education. The key opportunities relate:
• Exposing learners to alternative or different perspectives ? as entrepreneurs and business
owners will have different views around key aspects of starting and developing a business
and the associated learning and skills requirements. This will provide learners with a range
of experiences in order to make sense of theories and concepts.
• Networking and relationship development ? in that exposure to entrepreneurs and business
owners will provide learners with an opportunity to develop ‘know?who’ as part of the
education experience.
• Bringing the future forward – by their nature academics tend to look at the past and present
in their work. In contrast, entrepreneurs and business owner?managers will be looking to
bring forward understanding of the future to identify opportunities to underpin business
development activity.
• Understanding of own personal value and employability options – exposure to
entrepreneurs and business owners will assist learners in reflecting on their own personal
value and how this can communicated to others to support employability.
However, there are a number of challenges to integrating businesses into the enterprise
education experience. These include:
• Understanding of teaching and assessment strategies – there is a need for the educator to
invest time in enhancing understanding of the entrepreneur and business owner as to
teaching and assessment strategies, so experiences can be used to enhance the learning
experience of the learner.
• Quality ‘assurance’ – there are a number of challenges surrounding how to bridge more
traditional notions of quality assurance in higher education and those promoted by ‘learning
by doing’, i.e. in facilitating a business owner or entrepreneur working with a learner to
support their skills development. For example, diaries may be a useful way of a business and
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the learner capturing the key outcomes from the relationship but these tend to be rarely
used in enterprise education, in comparison to exams and assignments.
• Managing student expectations – there are a number of challenges in managing the
expectations of students around the inputs of entrepreneurs and business owners as part of
the enterprise education. On the one hand, over?use within a course can lead students to
students not being able to place experience within theory and perceiving the education
experience as a training intervention. On the other hand, if one type of entrepreneur is
presented to the students on an ongoing basis, it may influence perceptions as to the type of
business activities pursued by them.
• Requires time to maintain relationship – if entrepreneurs and business owners are used over
and above the odd guest speaker lecture, there is a need for the educator to invest time in
developing and maintaining relationships so that experiences of the entrepreneur and
owner?manager can be embedded on a more meaningful basis. However, the educator
rarely has the opportunity to identify such commitments within current workload
management systems in higher education.”
“Therefore, at one level, it sounds relatively straightforward to embed the experiences of
entrepreneurs and business owners in the education experience. Whilst entrepreneurs and business
owners will be used as guest speakers, this can be equally as disabling as enabling experience,
particularly if the guest speaker is ‘distance’ from the learner. At another level, there are a number
of challenges to effectively embedding the experiences of businesses in the education experience. In
part, these need to be addressed through supporting the development of entrepreneurial processes
and practices in higher education institutions themselves.”
National Enterprise Network
“The more we can get the business community into schools (from the earliest possible age) the
better ? ideally however that should be the smaller businesses, not just the larger ones. It is far more
likely that most people will end up being employed in a small business, so the sooner
students/children have some exposure to that and see it as a positive career option, the better. The
problem of course is that when small business people are not working, they’re not earning, so of
course getting them into schools is not always that simple. This is an area where some of our
members have come up with some innovation, as particularly those who are operating managed
workspace and incubation facilities are trying to engage schools to bring children into their centres,
and they coordinate something so they get to meet the businesses they are housing. Taking the
students to them rather than expecting the business people to come to schools is perhaps one way
to get around the problem? Our members are managing over 1.635m sq ft of space, housing almost
3000 businesses, which could be a good start.”
“We need to get far more professionals who have real experience of running businesses involved in
delivering enterprise education – all too often the business studies teacher is given the job and they
are very often not the best person, sometimes it’s even more random than that! But the more we
have real people with real experience living and breathing the teaching of enterprise, the more
chance we have of ensuring it is put across as a positive option rather than a last resort!”
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“We need to think about more than just enterprise. If we can, focus more broadly on enterprising
skills, and that way whether people ever go onto starting a business or not, they will have more
transferable skills which will add value in terms of them being employees too!”
“We also need to integrate enterprise into core subjects far better than we currently do – rather
than it being a separate subject all the time – why not look at cash flows as part of maths subjects,
spreadsheets as part of IT, poster design as part of DT, writing marketing copy as part of English –
I’m sure you know the sort of thing?”
“We also need to integrate enterprise education within institutions far better with the support
available outside the institution. All too often the support is very insular in nature and takes little or
no account of the support available from the wider enterprise support community, bearing in mind
many students (particularly HE and to an extent FE too) don’t study where they live, thus making
connections to more widely available support would be adding greater value overall?”
“Integrating enterprise support into vocational courses has to be a priority. Many students doing
vocational courses are very likely to need to look at self employment at some point in their career,
whether they realise it at this stage or not, so some introduction whilst they are studying anyway has
to make perfect sense. Many of our members tell us they get a good response from college
principals about the value of doing this; the problems come when they get put onto the faculty
heads to actually make it happen.”
“Last but not least, enterprise or entrepreneurship, our view is in the early stages concentrate on
enterprise, let entrepreneurship take care of itself later in life for those students who see that as a
real option and desire (Whiteley 2013).”
Business Community in Enterprise Education
Forum of Private Business
“Tackling the bleak no?man’s land between education and employment is a key priority for
Government as youth unemployment rates in the UK remain stubbornly high. The figure has been
hovering closely around the 1 million mark following the rapid increase from 2008.”
“Recent economic data indicates growth, and with rising business confidence employment should be
on the cards. Forum members polled earlier in the year revealed they expected to see a modest
increase in employment with 19% expecting to have more staff in 2014 than they currently have.
275
Whilst this is positive news, it does not mask the fact that just 21% of members are happy with the
skills available in their local labour force. For young people coming out of education with little or no
work experience, these statistics perhaps shed some light on why that unemployment rate has
remained so high.”
275 FPB, Referendum 203, Employment and Skills (April 2013)
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“One of the key links between education and employment was severed in 2012 when the duty on
schools to provide work related learning was abolished. Regrettably this decision has not only
removed the opportunity for young people to experience a real work place at a young age but has
also seen many lines of communication between schools and local employers disappear. The duty,
whilst far from perfect, provided a welcome opportunity for micro employers to support their local
community. In 2012 40% of Forum members were providing work experience for students from local
schools and colleges and 5% reported they would like to offer the experience.
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The Forum would
like to see the duty reintroduced with a focus on schools working in partnership with employers to
provide young people with a broader ‘experience of work’ rather than simply a generic week long
placement.”
“Experience of work encompasses a much broader swathe of employment activities to that would
give students an understanding of the skills and attitudes required for the work place. It could be
involve anything from a talk to a group of youngsters to a full work experience placement. For a
micro business, time is their most valuable commodity. Education institutions cannot underestimate
this when approaching employers, and should take the time to understand the nature of the
business before requesting assistance.”
“In our forthcoming report, problem?solving, self?motivation, self?assessment, and selling/marketing
oneself emerged as the top 4 competencies employers would like to see the education system teach
young people.
277
These competencies were regarded as important for young people as employees
and if they were looking to start their own businesses.”
“These competencies can be recognised in the CREATE framework that Studio Schools follow.
278
The
Forum of Private Business supports the creation of Studio Schools in England. They are a way of
bringing the world of work into the world of education through partnership working with employers,
work experience and enterprise projects. The Forum is a partner of the Knutsford Academy Studio
School which will open in September 2014.”
Business in Education
Federation of Small Business
“In the two most recent FSB Voice of Small Business Quarterly reports, access to appropriately
skilled staff was seen as the third biggest barrier to business growth, only behind the domestic
economy and consumer demand. Businesses are also critical members of local communities and
they hold deep concerns about systemic youth unemployment.”
“In a recent survey of members (Federation of Small Businesses 2013) 46% of members do not
believe that local schools and colleges prepare young people to a sufficient standard for businesses
and employers, and when recruiting young people
279
61% of employers are not confident that they
276 FPB, Referendum 200, Business Sustainability (July 2012)
277 FPB, Training and Skills Panel Report (Jan 2014)
278http://www.studioschoolstrust.org/studio?schools/create?framework/
279 Aged 24 and under
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will find a candidate with the right skills
280
. Improving the skills and knowledge of the younger
generation is a priority for them and something which the FSB is focussed on.”
“The FSB believes that there are a number of actions which could better prepare young people for
work in small businesses, the workplace and society in general. The curriculum from primary school
onwards needs to ensure that schools teach everything required to produce a rounded individual
with the core knowledge and personal skills to prosper in a modern economy. Enterprise education
is a crucial part of this alongside careers advice and guidance, work?related learning, work
experience and the opportunities to develop employability skills.”
“Schools are no longer required to offer young people enterprise education, although the FSB hopes
many still will. The FSB believes that enterprise education not only helps teach young people about
business and how to create one, but will also help them to develop employability skills such as
effective communication, self?management, team working and problem solving.”
“Without employers getting involved with schools and colleges, enterprise education will not work.
Many teachers have not worked in business nor have experience of workplaces other than the
classroom. Therefore it is crucial that teachers reach out to local small businesses to help support
them in the enterprise education that they provide young people.”
“Many businesses want to get involved with their local school or college to help with this work.
Some will offer work experience, be school governors, teach enterprise lessons, mentor young
people or take part in programmes such as Young Enterprise. Some small businesses are keen to get
involved with their local school or college but many do not know who to contact in schools or how
they can offer support. When we asked our members what would help encourage them to take on a
work experience student the second most cited reason was the need for a more proactive outreach
by schools to business. 67% of members had never been contacted by their local school or college.”
“In October 2013 the FSB announced that Young Enterprise will be the FSB’s charity for the next
three years. FSB members are often business mentors in schools, fundraise for the charity or sit on
the volunteer boards which run Young Enterprise locally. Small businesses that are involved become
enthusiastic about their work and are motivated by the idea that they are passing on their
experience to the younger generation. Young Enterprise is a good offer for schools because it allows
them to deliver a trusted programme of fun and inspiring enterprise education to young people and
helps them to develop links with the local business community which can sometimes be lacking as a
recent OFSTED report highlighted
281
.”
How can we encourage more entrepreneurs?
“We need to increase the role of entrepreneurs and businesses in our education system. Small
businesses across the country are looking for the next generation of talent to support their growth,
but many currently say the young people who apply to work with them lack the skills and knowledge
to be successful employees. Reversing this trend requires greater input from the employer
280 FSB voice of small business panel survey June 2013
281 Going in the right direction? Careers guidance in schools from September 2012, OFSTED September 2013
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community within education. For example, the likes of Highbury College have already made
significant strides with their employer boards ? giving businesses a direct say in the shaping of
curricula. Entrepreneurs?in?residence are also a common feature across the Gazelle Colleges Group.
Successful entrepreneurs can act as a significant inspiration to young people, and we need more of
their participation throughout the sector.
To encourage more entrepreneurs, we need to broaden the sector’s understanding and appreciation
of entrepreneurship itself.”
“The Gazelle Colleges Group does not understand entrepreneurship in the narrow sense of the start?
up, but in the context of growth, and how a culture of entrepreneurship can support the growth of
the economy and local businesses. To fully benefit from entrepreneurship, colleges and schools must
embrace it across all teaching and learning. This includes in areas of the curriculum, notably STEM
subjects, which are not normally associated with wealth creation.”
“Young people with an interest in science must be encouraged to think commercially and of their
opportunity to start businesses as much as those engaged in computer science or
hospitality.(Donohue 2013)”
Business in the Community (BITC)
“BITC run a programme (Business Class) which partners businesses with schools in long?term 3 year
partnerships. Nearly 200 mainly large companies have partnered with over 300 schools across the
UK since the scheme began. It is mainly large businesses, but BITC have just announced a pilot to
bring more SMEs into the scheme working with Goldman Sachs – not to provide entrepreneurial
education in a formal sense, but to just give more young people access to entrepreneurial role
models and we hope widen their perspective of what the world of work might look like – self
employment as a career option etc.”
“In addition, through BITC’s youth mentoring programme (Mosaic) they run a national enterprise
competition for secondary school students designed to develop and encourage their entrepreneurial
skills. Teams of students work with a mentor from the business community to learn about becoming
future business leaders, develop business ideas.”
“There is real untapped potential for SME’s to better impact and influence young people in local
areas, which is why Business in the Community has today formed a new partnership with Goldman
Sachs to connect more SMEs with young people in schools across the country. The pilot aims to help
many more young people access entrepreneurial role models within school. Over the coming
months, we will be providing opportunities for smaller companies from Goldman Sachs’ 10,000
Businesses Program to get involved in schools by joining some of the established business?school
partnerships in 15 key cities across the UK.”
“As well as helping young people with practical support around careers, interview techniques,
employability skills and CV workshops, the participating entrepreneurs will also offer real?
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life inspiration to young people about the possibilities of setting up their own business by sharing
their own entrepreneurial backgrounds and stories.”
“Entrepreneurship is a valid and rewarding career choice. It is vital that young people get to hear
from people with the broadest range of backgrounds and experience what the world of work looks
like. We believe that exposing young people to innovative small businesses will give them a more
balanced picture of the local labour market and open their eyes to a broader number of potential
pathways post education which could involve working for a household name, but could also just as
easily see them start up their own venture or work for a start?up organisation.”
“BITC are aiming to create 500 Business Class partnerships by 2015 and we are excited at this new
possibility to inspire many more young people about entrepreneurship. By working in collaboration,
business of all sizes, together with schools can offer a much richer range of support for young people
than if we all worked individually. I urge business of all sizes to consider their role and how they can
each play their part to shape a motivated, generation of young people better equipped to achieve
their goals, and to contribute to a more competitive and productive UK plc.”
Gazelle College Group
“The Gazelle Colleges Group is a federation of further education colleges committed to transforming
the life chances and employment opportunities of young people through entrepreneurship.”
“Its 20 colleges are working closely with entrepreneurs and employers at local and national level to
develop the blueprint for entrepreneurial colleges.”
“Through innovative partnerships with employers, and new curriculum models that focus on giving
students commercial experience as they learn, Gazelle Colleges are redefining further education and
its role in preparing the UK’s young people to power the growth of the economy and small
businesses across the country.”
Gazelle Learning Companies:
“Gazelle Learning Companies are a curriculum innovation by which colleges enter into joint?ventures
or franchises with new or existing companies, creating college?owned businesses which are staffed
by students. The purpose is to allow learners to experience a real commercial environment, and
work on behalf of clients alongside studying for a Diploma or BTEC qualification.”
“One example is Fit4Less at North Hertfordshire College. This is a franchise of low?cost gym facilities,
owned by the Energie Group. The College opened a franchise to create one of the pioneering Gazelle
Learning Companies, and it is currently staffed by a team of eight students, in roles ranging from
operational management of the gym to customer sales and personal training.”
“The students are working towards BTEC Level 2/3 qualifications in personal training. Within the
Fit4Less Gazelle Learning Company, students do not just get practical experience of being a personal
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trainer or fitness instructor, but are given the chance to see how these skills apply within a business
environment, and gain commercial experience and perspective.”
How can we encourage more entrepreneurs?
“Young people need to have their eyes opened to entrepreneurship as a viable career option. This
will only happen by giving learners in schools and colleges active opportunities to experience the
creation and running of a business.”
“We need to increase the role of entrepreneurs and businesses in our education system. Small
businesses across the country are looking for the next generation of talent to support their growth,
but many currently say the young people who apply to work with them lack the skills and knowledge
to be successful employees. Reversing this trend requires greater input from the employer
community within education. For example, the likes of Highbury College have already made
significant strides with their employer boards ? giving businesses a direct say in the shaping of
curricula. Entrepreneurs?in?residence are also a common feature across the Gazelle Colleges Group.
Successful entrepreneurs can act as a significant inspiration to young people, and we need more of
their participation throughout the sector.”
PRIME
“Older workers are highly experienced and can make a valuable contribution to the workplace and
the economy. It is, therefore, vital they are given opportunities and incentives to remain in the
workforce, whether as employees, self?employed or setting up their own businesses.”
“Currently nearly 4 million people aged between 50 and 65 are not economically active and more
than 400,000 of those are seeking employment. Once out of work, the over 50s find it
disproportionately difficult to find jobs and are far more likely to be long?term unemployed. This is a
wasted opportunity for many individuals but also for the economy.”
“The Prince’s Initiative for Mature Enterprise (PRIME) is a national charity dedicated to helping the
over 50s, who are out of work, unemployed or facing the prospect of redundancy, to set?up their
own businesses. Educating aspiring mature entrepreneurs is at the heart of our work to build?up and
adapt older people’s skills to help them start sustainable new businesses.”
“We passionately believe access to appropriate education is extremely important for older people
who are looking to proactively change careers and those who are starting their own businesses as a
response to the lack of work opportunities. Education helps build?up older people’s skills, bring out
the best of their talents and consequently, will help ensure their businesses go on to become
sustainable successes.”
“One route more older people are going down is self?employment, more so than any other age
group. There are 4.2 million people who work for themselves in the UK, 14% of the total workforce,
and older people are making a significant contribution to this number, as there are 1,757 million
over 50s people who are self?employed.”
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“We deliver a suite of resources to help educate over 50s about enterprise, including: workshops to
explain the benefits of starting an enterprise and how to develop a business idea; a business
programme covering the building blocks essential to any enterprise, such as understanding accounts
and preparing business plans; and mentoring schemes, matching an experienced professional with
an entrepreneur in the start?up stage to share ideas and learn how best to develop a new
enterprise.”
“While we’re making concerted efforts to educate mature entrepreneurs, we would like to see a
higher priority by Government, businesses and wider society to help older people. Searching online
will produce many organisations dedicated to youth enterprise; however there is not the same
amount of support for older people.”
“We would like to see the Government encourage enterprise across all ages, including access to
funding, advice, mentoring, incentives and support mechanisms. Too many initiatives from
Westminster have a bias towards younger people; older people need support too especially as they
are the ones driving business creation.”
“Businesses also need to provide better education specific to older workers, such as training in
digital services to serve them better in the modern workplace and better prepare them if they were
to venture on their own. Businesses should also be better educated on how to provide advice post?
redundancy, so older people can explore all options.”
“The UK continues to discriminate against the over 50s in the workplace. We’re discarding an
invaluable resource, and as the population ages, we’re putting an unfair burden on those aged
between 20 and 50, which is short?sighted given that a large number of older workers want to and
can make a significant contribution to the economy.”
NACUE
“The National Association of College and University Entrepreneurs (NACUE) welcomes the
opportunity to submit our key asks of Government to the APPG for Micro Businesses and we are
pleased to see enterprise education featuring prominently on the Group’s agenda.”
“NACUE supports student enterprise societies nationwide to lead their peers towards greater
creativity, confidence and capability for their whole lives, and advocates improved access to
opportunities for enterprise for all students. We believe that young people, businesses and the
wider economy will benefit significantly from an education system that supports student enterprise
more proactively.”
“We strongly believe that in order to ensure the sustainability of the UK’s global competitiveness,
the Government must do more to equip students with the necessary skills needed to find successful
employment. This means investing in necessary enterprise skills that directly compliment academic
studies. As business leaders continue to call for students with more ‘functional’ skills, and with many
students continuing to remain under?employed, the Government must work with businesses and
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organisations like NACUE to create the right conditions for students to improve their chances of
becoming the business leaders of the future. In doing so, they would be creating healthy
competition nationally and internationally, making the UK a more attractive place for the brightest
minds across the world, and making savings to the public purse in the long term by creating jobs,
contributing more taxes, and increasing consumer spend.”
“Creating the right conditions for entrepreneurs to thrive in the UK will require a shift in the attitude
towards them. The UK should be following America’s lead on this to encourage enough confidence
leading to career paths in entrepreneurship becoming both a viable and desirable option. Building
this confidence would require a support structure consisting of tailored financial packages,
enterprise education at school, and peer?to?peer learning through enterprise societies as advocated
and delivered by NACUE. Some practical measures the Government might consider is providing
entrepreneurs with a ‘space to fail’ by making it easier to gain access to empty shops which can be
utilised as retail and office units for example.”
“To ensure sustainability and long?term commitment to the enterprise agenda, some specific areas
NACUE would like to see Government focusing on immediately are:
• The Department for Education and the department for Business, Innovation and Skills must
work together and with stakeholders such as NACUE and business partners, to shape and
embed enterprise education in to the curriculum at Key Stages 2, 3, and 4.
• At Key Stage 5, a well?publicised work experience scheme focussed on management skills
should be available to all students who wish to participate, within start ups and SMEs
specifically, with Government working with relevant stakeholders to facilitate a work
experience programme.
• Anecdotal evidence suggests that many new graduates who become entrepreneurs say that
they would benefit significantly from a mentor before and during the early years of their
business development. Government should work closely with organisations like NACUE who
can create and roll out a programme of this scale within FE and HE institutions.”
New Entrepreneurs Foundation
“The Global Entrepreneurship and Development Index (GEDI, 2012) ranked the UK 14
th
from the 79
countries benchmarked in terms of ‘Entrepreneurial Friendliness’. Amongst the key areas of
weaknesses identified were:
• Availability of knowledgeable ‘human capital’ and venture oriented professionals with start?
up skills,
• Ability of potential entrepreneurs to access and mobilize opportunities and resources
through networking,
• Entrepreneurs in the UK lacking the ambition to create high growth start?ups.”
“In 2010, the NEF identified a gap in the UK for joined?up entrepreneurial training and skills
development for young people leaving full time education.”
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“The NEF was set up to address a gap in the UK for the provision of a high quality entrepreneurial
training and skills development programme for talented and ambitious, young aspiring
entrepreneurs. This unique programme which is considered to be ‘Gold Standard’ by some of our
corporate sponsors and industry commentators is in its 4th year of operation with 92 candidates
either currently on the programme or are now alumni. The combination of a paid work placement,
training, business mentoring and personal coaching, and access to networks has been very
successful. Candidate feedback has been very positive, and we are starting to see a number of
ambitious new businesses emerging from the cohorts
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.”
“The critical success factor of the NEF programme has been the active management and evaluation
of all aspects of the programme:
• The selection, matching and placement of candidates in host companies,
• The creation of the Fast?Track training programme,
• Constant evaluation of the content and delivery and of the selection of delivery partners,
• The selection and vetting of our business mentors and coaches by qualified senior
professionals,
• The development and delivery of regular networking events.
We have proven that this managed model of start?up skills development works on a small scale (we
take a maximum of 35 candidates each year), but we feel that it would work equally well on a
national scale. We recommend to the APPG for Micro Businesses that Government instigates a study
to evaluate the possibility of developing a Government?supported, National level programme: “The
National Entrepreneurs’ Academy” for the provision of entrepreneurial training and skills
development based on the NEF model. We believe that with appropriate adaptation, this model
would work for any group of people looking for entrepreneurial careers, from young people who
have just completed full time education to older people looking for second or third careers.
The National Entrepreneurs’ Academy (NEA)
“We suggest that the NEA should comprise the following elements of service provision:
1. A single place to find all the entrepreneurial programmes, training, funding, mentors and support
available at local, regional and national level. A sort of ‘Citizen’s Entrepreneurship Bureau’ which
would be a centrally managed online resource offering a one?stop shop for information. This should
be easily searchable by subject, geographical area, quality ratings from users and any other useful
criteria.
This addresses the current problem that there is too much disconnected information available
online: It is difficult to find quality information that has been vetted or verified. Further, much of it is
unstructured, so people find it difficult to see quickly if it is relevant for their situation or if the
services being offered are available in their area.
282 Candidate feedback and results to date is available
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2. A series of regional ‘Entrepreneurs’ Academies’ based along the lines of the NEF model. These
regional academies should be based in cities that already have budding entrepreneurship
ecosystems (Edinburgh, Manchester, Cardiff, Oxford, Cambridge, Liverpool, Newcastle, Belfast and
other appropriate cities) but these academies would work on a centrally agreed set of quality,
delivery and impact measurement principles. The regional academies would run 6 initiatives:
• Recruit and select the best candidates for their programme,
• Recruit local companies as host companies for work placements and manage/monitor the
process throughout,
• Develop partnerships with local/regional universities and specialist providers in their area to
deliver the Fast?Track Training Programme,
• Recruit and vet local professional coaches and manage the coaching programme,
• Recruit and vet local business mentors and manage the mentoring programme,
• Organise regular networking events in their local areas to create a strong entrepreneur
support ecosystem”.
“This addresses the current problems mentioned earlier in this note about managing the quality of
training, mentoring and coaching as well as the issue of clear impact measures for each regional
centre. It also enables a centrally overseen programme to be adapted for regional and local needs,
and allows innovation and new ideas to emerge.”
“A regional model will also encourage and enable corporates and local companies to tap into an
entrepreneurial talent pool and could also enable match funding for the programme from these
companies.
3. The NEA should also have a role in joining up initiatives throughout the entrepreneurial journey.
So, for example, encouraging formal partnerships with local start?up accelerators, funding initiatives,
sector specific start?up incubators, work placement schemes and business support organisations.”
The Prince’s Trust Enterprise Programme
“The Prince’s Trust offer an Explore Enterprise course to learn what’s involved in planning and
running a business using practical, interactive and visual based teaching methods and activities
rather than academic study. The staff run through individuals’ goals, motivations and experience
before teaching skills in marketing and money management. Often an inspirational speaker is
present in order to engage the young people and share best practice with them. Finally, staff run
through how to write and approach a business plan and taking the next steps which is the point
when the young person is assigned a business mentor.”
“Our business mentors offer vital support to our young people helping them choose the right option
for them, plan for their next steps and often provide specialist knowledge built from their experience
in business. Our young people are offered up to eight hours of one to one support they can access
for up to a year, the meetings are arranged at a time that suits them and they are both encouraged
and supported to plan in between sessions in order to move their business plan forward:
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“My business mentor has been brilliant, she has made me think about key things that may make or
break my business. She has a wealth of knowledge I can tap into, there have been many times I’ve
had queries or questions, she can answer them or if she can’t, she knows someone that can. But
most of all she has given me the support and confidence to write my business plan and push I
needed to launch my business.”
“The Prince’s Trust gave me the tools I needed to take the first steps in business, while giving me the
advice and support I needed to turn my life around.”
“With The Prince’s Trust I realised there were people who cared about me, and my life changed
beyond all recognition. There is no way I would have achieved what I have without their support.”
Which key groups may need additional assistance?
“Young people from disadvantaged backgrounds can often include those who have spent time in
care, those who have backgrounds of offending, those with learning disabilities, those with mental
health issues, and lone parents. They have often underachieved at school and have experienced
long?term unemployment. With backgrounds like these, it can be a struggle to compete in the job
market, especially at a time of high youth unemployment. The chance to explore setting up their
own business, therefore, can be a lifeline for those who show the determination and ability to
succeed.”
“However, younger people may well need more guidance and more of a nudge to pursue their
business ideas. Those with few qualifications and ex?offenders are likely to need more support.”
“Working with ex?offenders is not easy and business survival rates may be low, but the potential
rewards are greater.”
“What barriers exist, which prevent these individuals from engaging in enterprise education
opportunities?”
“A lack of finance is one of the biggest barriers to starting a business for young people. The young
people The Prince’s Trust works with are highly unlikely to have any savings, and will therefore rely
on a combination of the low interest loans (if they can find one), early income generated from the
business (assuming there would be some), pay from other employment (should they have time for
another job) and support from benefits in order to meet the costs of day?to?day living, whilst seeking
to maintain and grow their business.”
“Our alumni of businesses we helped to set up have told us how much of a lifeline the financial
support they received from Working Tax Credits and Housing Benefit was in their early stages of
business. Without this support, many of them doubt they would have been able to succeed.”
“We therefore believe it is critical that the DWP continues to support unemployed turned self?
employed people whilst they build their income, but to some extent this is under threat with the
introduction of a one year start?up period under Universal Credit, which we believe to be too short.”
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“There is a danger that the inspiration from enterprise education could be lost if the DWP does not
enable people in disadvantaged circumstances to move into self?employment.”
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Full List of Contributors
The authors would like to thank the following people who have been contributors to our review over
the past 14 months. They have provided excellent information, passed on contacts and perhaps
more importantly, been honest sounding boards for many of our thoughts and ideas.
Abdul Khan? Pass the Popcorn
Alex Jackman? Forum of Provide Business
Alice Barnard? Peter Jones Foundation
Alice Bentinck? Entrepreneur First
Alison Mitchell – Vitae
Alison Williams ? Craigfelen Primary School
Andrew Bernard? Innovative Enterprise
Becky Mollart ? Ready Unlimited
Brian Clements – University of Wolverhampton (ret)
Carl Gilliard – Association of Graduate Recruiters (ret)
Catherine Brentnall – Ready Unlimited
Charles Cracknell – City Youth Enterprise, Hull
Claire Young – Inspiring Through Business
Corina Edwards – Swansea University
Courtney Turner? The Princes Trust
Dave Jarman – EEUK and University of Bristol
David Frost – Local Enterprise Partnerships
Dawn Whitley? National Enterprise Network
Denise Ramsay ? UnLtd
Dr, Catherine Bushell – Cardiff University
Dr. Bryan Mills – Cornwall College
Dr. Colin Jones – University of Tasmania
Dr. Jenny Moore – Exeter University
Dr. Laura Bellingham – Quality Assurance Agency
Dr. Paul Jones – Plymouth University
Dr. Rita Klapper – University of Huddersfield
Dr. Shima Barakat – University of Cambridge
Dr. Simon Brown – NCEE / Plymouth University
Drew Ellis? Like Minds
Efka Heder – South East Europe Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning
Elin McCallum – European Commission
Ernestina Hall? Virgin Media Pioneers
Fiona Godsman – Scottish Institute for Enterprise
Fionnuala Horrocks? Burns? Forum of Private Business
Fiorina Mugione – United Nations Conference for Trade and Development
Gareth Trainer – AGCAS / Newcastle University
Gary Durbin? Enterprise Village
Graeme Fisher? Federation of Small Businesses
Hazel Israel – DfES (Wales)
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Heidi Griffiths – Lola and Me
Helen Beardmore? Peter Jones Foundation
Hushpreet Dhaliwal? NACUE
Ivan Diego – Valnalon Tech City
Jacob Hill? The Lazy Camper
Jaquie Coates – ABM University Trust
Jenny McDowell? Lloyds Bank
Joanna Montgomery? Little Riot
John Bound – Fuel, Royal College of Art / Innovation RCA
John Wastnage? British Chambers of Commerce
Jon Dawkins – Dirty Little Serifs
Julie Derek? Invicta Grammar School
Karl Loudon ? TRW ? The Mubaloo Group
Kate Beresford – Enterprise Educators UK
Kathie Willis? BEST Project New Zealand
Kathryn Penaluna – University of Wales, Trinity Saint David
Keith Burnley ? National Centre for Entrepreneurship in Education
Leigh Sear – SFEDI
Lindsay Owen? The Princes Trust
Lynne Pepper ? Herringthorpe Infants School
Malcolm Hoare – University of Warwick
Marcel Ciantar? Budmouth College
Marianna Lemus – Young Enterprise
Martin Lackéus – Chalmers University
Matt Smith ? Centre for Entrepreneurs
Maureen Tibby – Higher Education Academy
Michael Hayman – Seven Hills/ Start?Up Britain
Michael Mercieca? Young Enterprise
Mike Day – Building Enterprise Education in Swansea
Nathan Hardwick? SFEDI
Neeta Patel? New Entrepreneurs Foundation
Neil Coles – Cardiff University
Nieema Alom? NACUE
Nikki Hesford? Made in Preston
Ochuko Adekoya? Business in the Community
Paul Blackmore – University of Exeter
Peter Harrington? Simventure
Peter Holbrook? Social Enterprise Coalition
Phil Ely –University of Portsmouth
Prof. Alison Price – National Centre for Entrepreneurship in Education
Prof. Allan Gibb – Durham University (Emeritus)
Prof. Collette Henry –Tromsø University Business School
Prof. David Gibson – Sunderland University
Prof. David Kirby – British University in Cairo
Prof. David Rae – University of Lincoln
133
Prof. Harry Matlay – University of the West of Scotland
Prof. Heinz Klandt ? European Business School
Prof. John Kounios ? Drexel University
Prof. John Thompson – Huddersfield University / Anglia Ruskin University
Prof. Julian Beer? Plymouth University
Prof. Lester Lloyd?Reason – Anglia Ruskin University
Prof. Luke Pittaway – Ohio University
Prof. Mark Beeman – Northwestern University
Prof. Nigel Lockett – University of Leeds
Prof. Radmil Polenakovik ? Ss. Cyril and Methodius University
Prof. Saras Sarasvathy – University of Virginia
Prof. Simon Bridge – University of Ulster
Prof. Steve Blank ? E.piphany / Stanford University
Reuben Saxon? Youth Business International
Richard Atfield – Higher Education Academy
Rob Pearsall? Plymstock School
Robert Caniff – BIS
Robert Moon – University of Derby
Ronke Ige? Emi and Ben
Ruth Lowbridge? SFEDI
Sara Higham? Federation of Small Businesses
Simon Barker? Radfan
Simone Baldassarri – European Commission
Sir Tim Wilson – University of Hertfordshire (ret)
Stefan Topfer? Winweb
Stephen Pegge? Lloyds Bank
Steve Metcalfe? Youth Business International
Sue Poole – Gower College
Thom Kenrick? RBS Group
Till Leopold – United Nations Conference for Trade and Development
Tim Brown ? IDEO
Tina Boden? Enterprise Rockers
Tom Williamson – EEUK and Coventry University
Tony Gribben – European Training Foundation
Tony Robinson? Enterprise Rockers
Vaughan Davies – Monmouth Comprehensive School
Vic Curtis – University of Derby
Zoe Jackson? Living the Dream
Joan Young– Netherhall Learning Campus (Kirklees Creative Media Studio School)
134
Useful Links
Business in the Community? www.bitc.org.uk
Enterprise Educators? www.enterprise.ac.uk
Enterprise Rockers? www.enterpriserockers.co.uk
Entrepreneur First? www.entrepreneurfirst.org.uk
Federation of Small Businesses? www.fsb.org.uk
Forum of Private Businesses? www.fpb.org
Institute of Small Business and Entrepreneurship? www.isbe.org.uk
NACUE? www.nacue.com
National Enterprise Network? www.nationalenterprisenetwork.org
New Entrepreneurs Foundation? www.newentrepreneursfoundation.com
Peter Jones Enterprise Academy? www.pjea.org.uk
PRIME? www.prime.org.uk
RBS Inspiring Enterprise? www.inspiringenterprise.rbs.com
School for Start Ups? www.schoolforstartups.co.uk
SFEDI? www.sfedi.co.uk
The Gazelle Colleges Group? www.thegazellegroup.com
The Princes trust? www.princestrust.org.uk
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development? www.unctad.org
UnLtd? www.unltd.org.uk
Virgin Media Pioneers? www.virginmediapioneers.com
Young Enterprise? www.youngenterprise.org.uk
135
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