This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Scotland embraces Enterprise Week
15/11/2004
Enterprise Week, a UK-wide campaign to promote a culture
of enterprise, begins today.
At the
Determined
to Succeed conference in Edinburgh, Public Service
Reform Minister Tom McCabe said that encouraging and
celebrating an enterprising spirit amongst Scotland's young
people was vital to achieve a growing economy.
He urged the public and voluntary sectors to play a role
in encouraging a 'can do - will do' attitude amongst young
people.
Mr McCabe said:
"The Executive is committed to bring about a change in
culture among young people - a change that's necessary if
we're to secure long-term security and prosperity in
Scotland.
"We need young people to develop an enterprising spirit;
that's vital on two counts - to help our young people
realise their potential; and to grow our economy - now and
in the future. After all, today's school children are
tomorrow's employees, employers and entrepreneurs.
"I want employers in the public and voluntary sectors to
join us in helping develop an attitude of 'can do - will
do' among our young people. It's in all our interests that
they do so.
"The Executive has already invested £40 million in our
Determined to Succeed strategy. Through it, we're helping
bring the business and education communities together to
work closely and share experience, expertise and
professional skills.
"Today's event highlights the need for leadership - not
just from Directors of Education, but from across local
government, and wider still. The public and voluntary
sectors must set an example for those in the private
sector.
"Enterprise Week is designed to inspire young people by
looking at enterprise in all it forms - business
start-ups, non-profit social enterprise, and enterprising
activity by employees within existing organisations, and at
the same time making it clear to pupils, schools and local
communities that enterprise - in its widest sense - is
vital to Scotland's future."
The Executive's Enterprise in
Education strategy,
Determined
to Succeed, was launched in March 2003.
The Scottish Budget 2003-2006
allocated £40 million to support Enterprise in Education.
This was supplemented by £2 million from the Hunter
Foundation, match funded by the Executive.