By Mark Smulian
28 March 2010
Every school in England will be given the chance to develop and run its own business, the business secretary said today.
Vince Cable announced a package of measures to support young entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Among these is the Enterprise Champions Programme, which will give schools access to online resource materials as well as practical advice for teachers. Schools will also be encouraged to work with local enterprise champions, who will support them. The programme is expected to start by the end of the year.
Among the measures to encourage young entrepreneurs will be an extension of the Tenner Tycoon scheme, run by the Peter Jones Foundation charity. This provides young people with a £10 loan, with the challenge to develop enterprising activities over one month.
Enterprise societies will be created in all 89 universities and most further education colleges to equip students with the skills to start and develop businesses.
Cable also unveiled the Innovation Launch Pad, an online tool to help small businesses pitch ideas on securing better value for money for government. These ideas will be examined and the best presented to Whitehall departments after mentoring by experienced business figures.
A pilot has also been launched in Brighton & Hove with the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the Council for Industry and Higher Education. The aim is to expand the creative, digital and IT sector and provide business opportunities for graduates.
Cable said: ‘We want to transform the ambition and aspiration of young people through real business experience.
‘To rebuild our economy and create new jobs, we need to inspire the next generation to seriously think about starting their own company.’
