As part of the Festival of Social Sciences, we had the pleasure of joining a fantastic panel at UCL School of Management to discuss the importance of entrepreneurship education for young people aged 13 to 17. This event brought together educators, entrepreneurs, youth workers, and experts to discuss how we can weave entrepreneurship into the curriculum, co-curriculum, and extra-curricular activities. Our aim was to help everyone understand how entrepreneurship can support young people in developing essential life skills like self-confidence, creativity, and initiative.
We kicked things off with a talk from Steve Yoo, an Entrepreneurship Professor at UCL School of Management. He shared his insights on how entrepreneurship has evolved over the years, sharing that as a profession, it's only really about 20 years old. He also pointed out the major impact of disruptive innovation and tech startups, which have become key players in this space.
Olivia Saunders, Deputy Headteacher at the Royal Greenwich Trust School, shared her thoughts on the benefits of teaching entrepreneurship in schools. She highlighted the importance of real-world experiences in helping students, especially those who might not traditionally have many opportunities, to engage with the subject. Olivia’s school has found that giving students hands-on challenges, like starting a business, can really expand their horizons and prepare them for future decision-making. Unfortunately though, there are hurdles schools face in delivering entrepreneurship education, such as funding and time constraints, alongside the heavy focus on public exams and having to adhere to the national curriculum.
Paul Herman, Founder & Chair of the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA), wrapped up the presentations as he shared about YEA's mission to equip young people with the entrepreneurial skills needed to succeed in a changing world. At a time when the english curriculum is being reviewed, he explained how there is a unique opportunity to embed entrepreneurship education in a way that is engaging and inclusive. Through YEA's 'Basics of Business: Beginner to Boss' learning series, students can learn business basics in a fun and interactive way. He emphasised that entrepreneurship isn’t just about starting businesses; it’s also about critical thinking, resilience, problem-solving, and creativity - skills that are vital in all areas of life. Unfortunately, these important skills aren't given enough attention in schools, leaving many students unprepared for the real world.
The YEA is dedicated to changing this by introducing core business concepts while students are still in school. The audience was particularly excited to hear that the YEA platform is completely FREE for all young people. Its flagship learning series aims to equip young people with the skills and mindset needed to become successful entrepreneurs, no matter their background.
The event wrapped up with a lively panel discussion led by Dr. Jessica Hayton, Enterprise and Innovation Lead at UCL’s Institute of Education. The conversation covered the opportunities and challenges in promoting entrepreneurship in schools and how to spark students’ interest in these skills. When asked what they think makes a great entrepreneur, here's what they said:
Paul Herman highlighted the value of being able to fail and adapt, viewing failure as a stepping stone to success.
Olivia Saunders pointed out the importance of initiative, encouraging young people to take charge and make things happen themselves.
Steve Yoo emphasised the benefits of starting young, suggesting that the earlier someone embarks on their entrepreneurial journey, the better.
The event closed by inviting those working with young people aged 13 to 17 to join a new community of practice. You can still sign up using this link! We believe that entrepreneurship skills play a crucial role in driving economic growth and although the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (2023) indicates a strong entrepreneurial framework in the UK, education in this area still has a long way to go at the school level.
For more information on how the Young Entrepreneurs Academy is making entrepreneurship education accessible to everyone and how to access the learning series, get in touch here or email us at info@youngentrepreneurs.academy. Let’s keep inspiring and empowering young minds to shape their futures!
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