This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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New awards scheme for enterprise initiatives
31/10/2003
A national award scheme, which will recognise
achievement in promoting enterprise in education, was
launched today.
The Schools Enterprise Programme award scheme, run by
Careers Scotland, will identify, recognise, and reward the
best enterprise initiatives and projects at schools
acrossScotland.
Deputy Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Minister
Lewis Macdonald was atKittybrewsterSchoolinAberdeentoday, with Scottish entrepreneurs Douglas Craig and
Mike Bain to unveil the award scheme.
Mr Macdonald said:
"The Executive aims to promote an enterprise
culture inScotland's schools. The work I have seen today is an
excellent example of that.
"Our strategy, Determined to Succeed, will build
on the excellent work already underway to ensure that
all our young people have the opportunity to benefit
from the social and educational benefits of enterprise
in education."
There will be three categories of award - Gold,
Silver, and Bronze - recognising work being done on
enterprise in education. Winners of the Gold award will
be invited to a national awards scheme in June
2004.
Douglas Craig, managing director of anAberdeen- based global shipping and energy services group
said:
"As a recipient of prestigious awards, I know how
important they are in motivating people and recognising
achievement. The whole organisation benefits.
"I believe these national awards are an excellent
way of rewarding the schools, the teachers, the pupils
and the businesses involved in creating and
implementing programmes which build the necessary
skills for enterprise."
Mike Bain, who set up his own IT and telecoms
consultancy in 1999, offered his support for the
awards, saying:
"The schools enterprise programme is an excellent
initiative to teach young people about enterprise.
It will help make the dream of becoming a successful
entrepreneur a reality and although ambition comes from
within, the basics of business can be taught.
"I would certainly recommend it to any youngster
who has an idea or aspiration and wants to take control
of their future.
Sarah Hall, national project manager for the
schools enterprise programme, emphasised the importance
of the scheme:
"The objective of the programme is to encourage
our young people to be enterprising, and to adopt a
'can do' approach to the challenges they face.
"It will prepare them to play a constructive,
rewarding, and enterprising role in the global,
knowledge-based economy of the 21st century. To date 86,000
primary school pupils inScotlandhave been involved."
Schools acrossScotlandare being issued with an information pack which gives
details of the criteria for each award, and instructions on
how to enter. They can also access an Enterprise Education
Support Officer who will offer advice, training, and
ongoing guidance on the programme.
The Executive launched their
Enterprise
in Education programme earlier this year.
The Executive recently announced the
first round of funding to promote enterprise in
education.