Enterprise Education in a smaller state
The NACUE (The National Consortium of University Entrepreneurs) have released ‘Enterprise Education in a smaller state’ report, an account of the Enterprise Education provision in the UK after recent government spending cuts and policy changes. It seeks to identify policy issues important for university entrepreneurs and includes a variety of perspectives from a range of contributors all directly involved in enterprise support.
The report highlights 4 key areas including Government support for University Entrepreneurs, Enterprise Education in Universities, Business Support in Universities and finally Enterprise Education and Employment.
The report highlights that enterprise education is not just those wanting to start a business it encompasses skills that are beneficial, therefore decisions effecting enterprise education affect all. If employers increase demand for ‘enterprise skills’, then policy makers will in turn expand enterprise education that affects all.
Enterprise education within the curriculum is patchy across the UK and is timely to ensure educators develop programmes and make them available to all students. Queens University in Belfast has seen successes by making enterprise education in all areas of the university which has notched up an impressive 11,000 students, Newcastle University has also incorporated enterprise education into its career service. Both these examples have opened up provision of enterprise education to all and not just those doing subjects such as Business and Management.
For those students lucky enough to experience enterprise and education, these could feel confident enough to start businesses and consider self employment, especially after leaving university with the current situation on the job market and recent unemployment figures. Therefore a long term focus on enterprise development could lead to more students to starting up businesses and fill the gaps created by a smaller state.
The report goes on to highlight that enterprising graduates need a business support structure that requires policy makers to look at sustainable funding and strategy.
Business support is not just a matter for higher education, there is a wide range of resources and opportunities outside the university. Shell LiveWire provides a valuable resource for young entrepreneurs and enternships provide a platform to allow start-ups and SME’s to connect with students and graduates for entrepreneurial internships (enternships). Since its launch 2,000 companies have subscribed and thousands of students and graduates have applied for roles.
The range to which public funding into enterprise education is still unknown but the report points out that a range of various methods of delivery available would be an advantage – including: infrastructure and ecosystem within universities, to the expertise offered y businesses and a coordinated outreach to direct government initiatives.
To read the report in full or for further information visit: http://nacue.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/nacue-enterprise-education-in-a-smaller-state1.pdf