In 2004, the Welsh Assembly Government launched a strategic framework , the Youth Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Strategy for Wales (YES). It seeks to equip young people with entrepreneurial attitudes, values and skills and aims to support them to be entrepreneurial confident and to play a full and effective part in the economy and in their community.
The model is driven by three areas:
1. Awareness: Developing the culture
2. Learning: Equipping young people with relevant skills, knowledge and experience
3. Support: Providing an effective and demand-led support infrastructure
The enterprise education programme funds institutional change agents called 'Enterprise Champions' (EC) in each Further (includes vocational) and Higher Education institution. These ECs are expected to drive both student and staff participation through managing, promoting and coordinating all enterprise activity. They are the first point of contact for staff and students.
Quarterly Regional Networks are held across Wales to share best practice and discuss any relevant issues. These are also attended by relevant partners as and when appropriate.There is also an annual EC Conference with workshops and guest speakers.
AWARENSS AND LEARNING
As part of the Awarness and Learning element of the enterprise education strategy, the Welsh Assembly launched the 'Dynamo project', as a means of promoting poitive ideas about entrepeneurship within schools, colleges and higher education institutions through:
1. Development of teaching materials
The Dynamo teaching materials were designed around the ACRO model (Attitude, Creativity, Relationships, Organisation) to provide a learning continuum from age 5-19. Each pack contains Teacher Help Cars with all necessary resources including interactive games. Almost 22,000 curriculum packs were issued to schools and colleges and teachers were trained to use the packs.
2. Dynamo Role Models
Access to local entrepreneurs to provide inspiring talks free to groups of students in schools, further and higher education. There are over 300 entrepreneurs available and they have carried out over 13,000 presentations in the last five years.
3. Global Enterprise Challenge
5000 further education students take part in an ideas/creativity competition. One winning team from each college participates in a 24 hour Wales final, and the winner attends the Global GEC finals (2008 held in Sydney).
4. Enterprise Week
A global celebration of enterprise and entrepeneurship. Last year (2008) there were over 300 events happening across Wales. www.enterpriseweek.org
SUPPORT
Under the support element of YES, a more tailored approach to business support is provided for young entrepreneurs completing education. This includes workshops, 1-2-1 advice and ongoing mentoring. The programme is very successful and the number of business starts from Further and Higher education has increased significantly:
2004/06 162 business starts, 171 jobs created
2006/7 321 business starts, 395 jobs created
FUTURE FUNDING
As of 1 Sept 2008, Enterprise Education throughout further and higher education has moved into a new programme. A new funding system has been put into place where institutions apply for three levels of funding to deliver outcomes driven by each institution:
Level 1: Maintaining an instituional contact (EC)
Level 2: Form consortia groups with other FE/HE institutions
Level 3: Discretionary funding to run national, regional or bespoke intitutional enterprise events and activities.
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