Have you ever noticed that British schools seem to mould youngsters into droids that work for some company or become a part of some institution forthe remainder of their lives.

Wouldn't it be cool if youngsters weretaught business by default; Helping to create a pro-active society where more of us are running companies instead of being a part of the fabric that makes up the cloth - if you get my meaning.

Parents could also help to develop business skills in their children from early too.

I just feel that business skills are very importantand relavant to ourswiftlydeveloping world.

Just a thought...

What do you think?

Lloydy64

This is a good idea but I think its just as important for school kids to get experience working with and amongst others from a variety of culture age sex race etc. People skills is vital in the running of any business and this is from experience you can only learn so much but there comes a time when you have to put what you learnt into pratice and gain experience. I would like to see this idea incorporated but would more like to see a program where 1 day a week children have to work in some form of workplace be it office/factory/outside etc. Usually by the age of 15 you have an idea what you want to do work wise it would be good if a joint programme between schools and employment sectors could come together. Where a proper insightful programme is installed and not just slave labour and it runs for 1 day a week for a year for 15 year olds. Also the employers to give a regular test or quarterly exam to the children to test they are really learning the trade. Then I think school children would be in a much better position to come to the decision that they want to start their own business......just a thought really.

@Mafdet,

Thats very true...

Interpersonal skills are very very important, I especially like the 1 day a week work experience idea.

However in order for that to work on a serious level the government would probably need to broker some type of arangement with companies willing to trial such a scheme...

I would love to see this happen on a wide scale as I feel it would help many young people realise their dreams a lot earlier on in their lives.

Funnily enough I remember doing something like that aged 15 in school - but it only lasted for one week so I don't remember thinking too deeply about it or taking it seriously.

This idea has been in festering in my thoughts of late as a result of conversations I've had with various youngsters. (Family, friends etc)

Basically, these younger people (our future) have some excellent business ideas, but don't have the first clue about writing up a business plan, projecting a break even point, developing a business model etc...

Business courses should start at a-leevl / degree

Fact remains that for every sucesful businessman here are probably 5 failed businesses. its too risky to start at that agae

Hey LLoydy64,

Excellent thoughts and similar to mine too. I hear what you're saying but don't think this is something government will encourage in schools. Like you say about moulding youngsters into droids, it's all part of the plan to keep us dependent on and controlled by them.

I think WE could make it possible by offering to do such things in our own businesses.It would probably beeasier andwe wouldhave more control on how it can run if we do it ourselves. That way itwould be cool and real banana.gif Do you think that's something you would be able to do in the future of your business?


@Mafdet: Continuous work experience is a great idea and I like also that you included regular assessment/feedback throughout. That is something I don't see enough of in normal work never mind on a placement. Doing something like that would really focus on what the youngster needs.

@CashMoney: Do you think it would still be too risky if they had regular support? I don't think starting business at 15 straight away is ideal but starting business development, thininking and getting experience of a work environment is very important and more than the usual two weeks slap dash work experience that is usually given.

They should also teach about taxes, pensions, mortgages, saving schemes, filling in goverment forms, voting, and outline who does what in a society e.g. what roles local council plays and local organisations as well as the workings of central government.

How to set up a business would include all of that as well as regulations and ways to make sure you have all of you red tape sorted out properly and so on...

It would be better than leaving you to figure this all out by yourself at 16 and make mistakes before getting it right (or not).

@Maat,

In response to you question "Do you think that's something you would be able to do in the future of your business?
" - Definitely.

Presently, my little business startup is very young/small; but as it grows I would definitly be interested in working with the younger generation as I feel that their ideas are very interesting, inovative and relavant because they are our tomorrow.

Insaka Movement for Africanisationwill berunning the young enterprise schemefrom November. This is whereyoung people from the ages of 15-19 can set-up and run their own company throughout the course of the academic year. Anybody interested shouldcontact Insakafor more details.


E-mail
insaka_mfa@yahoo.co.uk