Schools must embed enterprise education for all students, says poll

A new poll reveals almost three quarters of people (71%) believe schools and colleges should embed enterprise education as a key part of every young person’s education

Entrepreneur and Dragon’s Den star Peter Jones CBE is today inviting schools to host the country’s first school-based Peter Jones Enterprise Academies – as a new poll reveals almost three quarters of people (71%) believe schools and colleges should embed enterprise education as a key part of every young person’s education.

The survey by Censuswide also found that 70% of UK adults thought a practical education in enterprise and entrepreneurialism “empowers” young people to build or join successful businesses – potentially helping to improve their job prospects and succeed in the world of work. Some 72% of people also thought “good and meaningful” enterprise education and experiences in schools improve social mobility, which has the potential to transform young people’s life chances.

Peter Jones CBE founded the Peter Jones Foundation in 2005 because he believes that with the right mix of support and opportunity, every young person has the potential to achieve great things and deserves a brighter future. His foundation runs a range of successful programmes that support young people around the world, but one of his key goals has been to empower young people across the UK through delivering excellent enterprise education.

A key part of this is the announcement today that schools can apply to host one of the first wave of new Peter Jones Enterprise Academies, with up to 20 in the initial group. The Academies will act as hubs of outstanding enterprise provision, with students receiving pioneering support to start businesses and achieve globally recognised qualifications in business, enterprise and entrepreneurship. They will also receive funding to enable their students to start their own business while at school – and today’s poll found that 60% of people believe all children and young people should be given the opportunity to do just that.

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The poll also reveals that:

  • 60% of Britons agree a lack of meaningful enterprise education in schools “reflecting the real world of business” was damaging young people’s job prospects
  • 61% agree that young people entering the world of work today don’t currently have the enterprising skill-set needed by most employers
  • 56% agree that young people are facing their worst economic prospects since the Second World War.

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