If you are interested in implementing Young Enterprise programmes in your school or university and need evidence of its value, the recent evaluation of Young Enterprise Alumni is definitely worth reading.
Young Enterprise is a national organisation with more than 45 years’ experience of developing and delivering tried-and-tested and tailor-made enterprise learning solutions. With more than 5,500 schools, colleges and universities participating in its programmes, Young Enterprise is the UK’s largest business and enterprise education charity.
The study by Young Enterprise UK outlines the impact its programmes have on the future of those who participate. Comparisons of; future earnings, skills set, careers and business start up between those who participate in Young Enterprise programmes and of a control group who did not, provide an insight into the valuable experience individuals gain.
The top ten headlines from the report are that:
- Participation in the Young Enterprise Company Programme correlates with better future earnings
- Young Enterprise Company Programme alumni are twice as likely to start their own business as their peers
- Alumni had a greater appreciation of their skills and the opportunities available to them on leaving school
- YE alumni are more passionate about their jobs than their peers with 77% of alumni fulfilled and engaged by their jobs, compared to only 59% of the Control Group
- YE alumni are more successful in their careers than their non-participating counterparts (even when taking into account family affluence)
- YE alumni are more likely to get involved in voluntary work
- Amongst business-owning alumni, Young Enterprise was ranked as the most significant experience they drew upon when establishing and building their venture
- Overall, YE alumni felt that Young Enterprise contributed to their skill development more than anything else, including work experience, extra-curricular activities and school
- Young Enterprise is not just about preparing pupils for business – It enables them to develop life skills
- Young Enterprise was the activity that best prepared alumni for work.
The full alumni evaluation is available for download from:
www.young-enterprise.org.uk/res/resources/AlumniEvaluation.pdf