About enterprise in education

Enterprise in education is about taking an enterprising approach to teaching and learning. Enterprise encourages all young people to learn and develop in a way that meets their needs and develops skills for learning, skills for life and skills for work.

Young people need to be prepared for a world which is changing rapidly. Many of the jobs they will do when they leave school do not yet exist and they will probably have several jobs during their lifetime. They need to have the skills and attitudes to cope with an unpredictable future, to be able to deal with setbacks and disappointments in a positive way, and to continue to learn for the rest of their lives.

Scotland needs people who are enterprising and entrepreneurial whatever their chosen career path - young people who are prepared and ready for the world of work, including self-employment - equipped to make an effective transition from education to work and making a contribution to Scotland’s economy. From the earliest age, children have a natural ability to be enterprising and it is important for that ability to be nurtured throughout their education.

Taking an enterprising approach

Good enterprising teaching and learning should:

• provide opportunities for learners to think and act in enterprising ways
• provide a clear focus on core and employability skills, and the ability to transfer these to different contexts, in particular the world of work
• provide opportunities for work-related experiences, both in and outwith the classroom
• adopt an enterprising approach to learning and teaching
• promote positive attitudes
• provide opportunities for learners to develop skills such as problem solving, decision making and evaluating risks
• provide entrepreneurial experiences.

The contribution enterprise in education makes to the personal growth of children and young people can enhance their life chances and choices. It can help them to become successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors to society and at work, with a clear understanding of their roles in the world.