| Refuting last month’s Viewpoint, JA-YE chief Caroline Jenner argues that entrepreneurs can and, indeed, should be made  There is entrepreneurialism in each of us – the challenge is to find it and switch it on. Getting young people engaged in entrepreneurship is about appealing to their individuality, creativity and personal interests. Innovation comes naturally if young people are motivated and have the opportunity early in their education to think of solutions to the many needs of their communities.
Entrepreneurship education is something we have to think about in a 360-degree manner. It does not “belong” to the education world or the business world or a particular government ministry. It is cross-curricular and engages a multitude of disciplines. It has to be addressed by all kinds of participants in the community. This diversity of participation is precisely what makes this kind of education work. Student companies, for example, are a methodology that bring young people into active and creative contact with the community; they work with their teachers and their advisers from the business world, but they are also in touch with the public, partners, suppliers and, of course, competitors. Many feel that businesspeople do not belong in the classroom, but such individuals can in fact bring a great deal of value. They complement the work of teachers, filling important knowledge gaps and balancing academic theory with practice. They are role models and they represent a powerful area of opportunity for young people. They are one of the important voices we can use to persuade young people why maths or science or language classes are so important. Entrepreneurship education is a unique zone where the private and public sectors meet, where educators and businesspeople interact, and where young people can learn by doing. It is our responsibility to make that space as dynamic and energetic as possible. Much has been said at the political level, but, as we all know, these are just words that are left to the rest of us to put into action. It is a huge step that entrepreneurship has been added to the list of core competencies under the Directorate-General for Education, and the subject has finally become a big theme among business leaders, too. The reality, however, is that less than 5% of young people in Europe actually have access to entrepreneurship education in school and the EU’s new business start-up rate is half that of the OECD. We need to dedicate space to it in the curriculum , as we have for all the other competencies. We need time in our work schedules to volunteer as mentors or advisers, specialised teacher training, and dedicated space inside our tax and legal systems to support these programmes for people under 18. Wherever these things are done – Norway is a case in point – the rate of entrepreneurship goes up significantly! Education is about having a safe place to learn and make mistakes, while entrepreneurship is all about risk-taking, creativity and innovation. Entrepreneurship education should provide a safe place to take risks and be enterprising. If we can create an educational experience that is open to the world outside and that provides support and resources, we will see students worrying less about the risks involved and concentrating more on their ideas and innovations. JA-YE asked a research institute to read up on what is out there in terms of studies on this subject. The evidence reaffirms that entrepreneurship education is the most important driver for a more dynamic enterprise culture, and that it changes attitudes. At a macroeconomic level, increased levels of entrepreneurship mean economic growth and lower unemployment. Increased entrepreneurship could also slow down some of the brain drain we see in certain parts of Europe and speed up the economies of others. What’s more, 78% of secondary school students say entrepreneurship is “cool”. Clearly there is far more demand than there is supply. One of the biggest struggles is engaging the business community. The European Commission and many national governments (though not all) have picked up the ball and are taking important steps, but unless Europe’s business leaders get involved, there won’t be the enterprising culture Europe needs. Not enough European companies or put this kind of work on their list of priorities and or choose to work together. This is an effort that stretches from primary school all the way through to university. The fact is the success of the next generation is dependent on young people’s access to entrepreneurship education, and the private sector is dependent on the quality of its future employees, clients and business partners as much as society is dependent on the welfare of its citizens. Entrepreneurship education is one of the most important missing links in Europe. Bridging this gap is a matter of urgency, and the responsibility lies with businesses and communities as much as with governments. The younger and earlier we start, the better. Entrepreneurs are made, not born! |