Why Every Teen Needs a Dose of Entrepreneurship in Their Education

When we think about what we want for our children, the list is usually the same: happiness, confidence, independence, and the ability to thrive in an uncertain future. But traditional education alone doesn’t always give them the tools to get there.

That’s where entrepreneurship comes in. Entrepreneurship isn’t just about starting a business. It’s about learning to spot opportunities, take initiative, solve problems, and bounce back when things don’t go to plan. And those are skills every teenager needs, whether they go on to become a CEO, a scientist, an artist, or anything in between.

The Future Belongs to Problem-Solvers

The world of work is changing faster than ever. Jobs that existed 20 years ago are disappearing, while new ones like AI trainers are popping up all the time. Employers are no longer just looking for good grades; they want adaptability, creativity, teamwork, and resilience.

Entrepreneurship education does more than just teach business ;it changes what is possible. In fact, students exposed to enterprise education in the UK are between 3 to 6 times more likely to start their own business in the future (British Council). They also experience real, measurable pay-offs in one study, former participants enjoyed an 11% higher wage (about £1,740 extra annually) than their peers who didn’t take part in enterprise competitions (Young Enterprise). That kind of life-changing boost isn’t just about business, it’s about confidence and future opportunity. And it doesn’t stop there. At university, nearly 11% of students are already running their own business, while another 26% are actively considering it—proof that once students get a taste for creation and self-direction, the spark often grows (HE Professional)

Confidence That Carries Beyond the Classroom

Ask any parent, the teenage years can be tricky. But when young people are given the chance to pitch an idea, build a team, or test something they’ve created, it changes the way they see themselves.

That’s why over 80% of students who experienced entrepreneurship education in the UK said they felt better prepared for the world of work (British Council, 2020). The simple act of trying, failing, and trying again teaches resilience in a way that textbooks can’t. Once you’ve stood in front of judges to pitch your idea or picked yourself up after a failed prototype, exams don’t feel quite as daunting.

Entrepreneurship Opens Doors

Currently, only 35% of young people in England report having any exposure to Enterprise Education at secondary school, yet almost 60% say they’d like to launch a business someday (FSB, 2023, Simply Business, 2023). That gap shows how much untapped potential there is and how important it is to support teenagers with the right opportunities.

And it’s not just wishful thinking. The UK is already seeing a rise in youth entrepreneurship with 12.1% of 18–24-year-olds being engaged in early-stage entrepreneurial activity (FE News, 2023). In universities, over 11% of students run their own businesses, and student start-up turnover has skyrocketed by over 750% in the last decade, reaching nearly £5 billion (Universities UK, 2023).

Purpose-Driven Young People

Today’s young entrepreneurs don’t just want to make money. They want to make a difference.

Entrepreneurs under 35 in the UK are more than twice as likely as older business owners to build companies tackling social or environmental challenges (39%, compared to 18%) (Youth Business International, 2024). That means today’s teenagers are already thinking about how they can shape the world for the better.

Early exposure to entrepreneurial skills equips teens with resilience, adaptability, and a problem-solving mindset that benefits them in school, work, and beyond.

So, Why Should Parents Care?

Because entrepreneurship isn’t about teaching your child how to run a business tomorrow. It’s about preparing them for any future. It’s about raising confident, adaptable, and resourceful young adults who can solve problems, bounce back from setbacks, and seize opportunities.

Ready to Give Your Teen an Advantage?

At the Young Entrepreneurs Academy, we believe every child deserves the chance to explore their potential. Our free learning series, Basics of Business: Beginner to Boss, takes young people step-by-step through building their own ideas into something tangible while gaining the confidence and skills that will serve them no matter what career path they choose to go down.

👉 Sign up here and help your child unlock their entrepreneurial spark.