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Enterprise Month 2008
03/11/2008
Enterprising young people will be key to the recovery of the global economy, according to Maureen Watt, Minister for Schools and Skills.
Speaking as she launched Scotland's Enterprise Month 2008 at a four-day Youth Business Global Conference organised by one of Prince Charles's charities in Edinburgh, Ms Watt said:
"In the face of global economic crisis, this Government is reaffirming its commitment to enterprise in education and, as the economic climate gets tougher and unemployment rises, we will make sure that school leavers have the right skills to prosper.
"Today sees the launch of our Celebration of Scotland's Enterprising Young People. Throughout November we will be seeing some of this work in action as enterprising young people across Scotland demonstrate their different approaches to business skills. It is important that we inspire young people while they are still at school in Scotland, so they have the confidence to fulfil their dreams and make successful transitions into adult life. "
Youth Business International received funding from Determined to Succeed to support the week-long Youth Business Global Conference which provides an opportunity to celebrate the successes of the young people and businesses involved in the YBI. Last year, the PSYBT helped 600 young people in setting up their businesses.
Ms Watt told the audience the Scottish Government was firm in its commitment to enterprise in education, with enterprising teaching being applied across the curriculum, helping young people to become responsible learners, confident individuals and helping to ready them for the world of work.
She said:
"With a new phase of Determined to Succeed, the Scottish Government's strategy for enterprise education, we are placing greater emphasis on skills for life and skills for work, increasing the partnership working between schools and employers, further developing entrepreneurial learning through an increased focus on private and social enterprise and improving the overall learning experience for all of Scotland's young people."
The YBI is one of HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay's charities. YBI provides support and direction to over 30 Youth Business Trust Programmes around the world. The conference is taking place from 2-8 November, providing the Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT) with an opportunity to showcase its work, share best practice and learn from other Youth Business Trusts who have come from all over the world.
Determined to Succeed, the Scottish Government's strategy for enterprise in education. Over the past five years, Determined to Succeed has achieved great things in schools throughout Scotland by bringing employers and education closer together. This Government has committed a further #66m until 2011 to continue this work. Through it, we will continue to help young people throughout Scotland develop their skills for learning, skills for life and skills for work.
A Celebration of Scotland's Enterprising Young People, which takes place from November 1-30, is organised by Determined to Succeed, the Scottish Government's Strategy for enterprise in education. During the month, schools will be organising activities and participating in challenges which focus on Science & Technology, Communications, Global Entrepreneurship and Scotland's Past, Culture and Heritage. Activities set to take place include the Make Your Mark Challenge, which is a UK-wide enterprise competition open to all secondary schools; and the Enterprising Inventors Challenge, which is a competition for primary pupils in several local authorities. It aims to celebrate the country's contribution to the global economy and nurture the next generation of Scotland's inventors.