The NEA is one of four new skills academies announced by Skills Secretary John Denham. Based in Buckinghamshire the academy will support over 11,000 learners in the first three years. As a centre for excellence of enterprise learning the academy will provide young people with the skills and confidence they need to become enterprising employees or entrepreneurs. For the first time in the UK accredited Level 2 and 3 qualifications in entrepreneurship and enterprise will be offered to students. The academy will also provide a range of provision for educators to help embed enterprise in education and short courses to enable both new and established businesses become more enterprising.
Well-known entrepreneur and Dragon’s Den star Peter Jones is set to head the UK’s first National Enterprise Academy and is looking for around 35 young people aged 16-17 to take part in an exciting pilot programme which will run from 5th January till 3rd July 2009. Participation in the pilot is an opportunity of a lifetime for a select few to gain a unique experience while shaping the ideas and teaching methods of a ground-breaking initiative.
Applications to be one of the 35 pilot students are sought from young people who are interested in enterprise and entrepreneurship, have considered starting up in business and are prepared to try something new, take risks and see things through. The pilot is an intensive course to develop personal and business skills and will be taught by entrepreneurs and experienced trainers. The majority of the pilot will take place at the Amersham Campus of Amersham and Wycombe College. Host families will be sought for successful applicants not able to commute. The deadline for applications is the 10th November 2008.
To download an application form and for further information on the National Enterprise Academy visit www.nationalenterpriseacademy.org/