Strong entrepreneurship training in Finland, Norway and Spain.
Posted on | January 26, 2009 | No Comments
Having just returned from a speaking engagement on best practices in youth entrepreneurship in Seinajoki, Finland, I must admit – the European Union has the right approach and is hitting the nail on the head in their programs and curriculum in youth entrepreneurship.
What is lacking in Canada, and in particular the province of Ontario (primary and secondary school curriculum is provincially mandated), are courses introducing entrepreneurship to students in high school. Entrepreneurship provides students with an appreciation of the workings of small business and the significance small business plays in the social-economic fabric of an economy. I often feel that the general teaching community frowns upon the mention of business, and entrepreneurial initiatives in their classrooms. Perhaps it is because by nature teachers are not business oriented- their training in entrepreneurship is virtually non-existent.
In Finland, Norway and Spain, they take a progressive approach in teaching their students the benefits of entrepreneurship- as a career option- or simply to gain a stronger understanding of the operations in the marketplace.
As someone who has taught entrepreneurship to college students you quickly assess those who may have the ability, passion, dedication and perseverance to begin a small business. The drive and creativity becomes noticeable. However, the majority of students studying and learning about entrepreneurship will never begin a business venture. These students do however gain an appreciation of management, communication, reading and understanding financial statements, all elements which are critical in the workplace. In other words, entrepreneurship training yields stronger students- stronger employees, if not stronger business leaders.
In Spain for instance, my friend Ivan runs an entrepreneurship program for youth in high school known as “EJE”. This program creates student led businesses running the duration of a full high school year. Ivan and his team match the student businesses in Spain with businesses in a number of countries within the European Union, including Finland and Norway. The idea is to have the local businesses secure product for export to the ‘partner’ business in another country. That business in turn must import and sell the product to their local markets. The two companies in essence procure product, import-export -trade. A great concept with excellent results to date.
This makes business fun, exciting, stimulating. In practical terms. No theoretical business plan development, no deep analysis on cash flow statements. They are learned by practical methods- like many entrepreneurs must do.
In Finland, school children learn basic concepts of entrepreneurship in primary schools as a means of teaching marketing, managing employees, and the importance business brings to community service. In Norway, the schools understand how the merits of entrepreneurship not only bring more knowledgeable and better citizens, but also strengthens the student mind in creativity and innovation. These countries are seeing the benefits of bringing entrepreneurship training into the schools even at the primary grades.
And why not? Kids are creative, active in the markets as consumers, and are sponges to learn. The arts are not sacrificed, which should be good news to Canadian schools who seem to think that business, and the arts are like oil and water – they do not mix.
How refreshing it is to see European countries bring an exciting, stimulating approach into their schools and in helping foster our next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders.
Bravo!
Tags: EJE > finland entrepreneurship > finland high schools business > milearn youth entrepreneurship > norway entrepreneurship > Ontario curriculum > spain entrepreneurship > spian high schools > Youth Entrepreneurship > youth entrepreneurship canada
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