Inspiring and developing our future wealth creators through entrepreneurship

It is widely recognized throughout the European Union that future growth and prosperity needs to be driven by the business sector. The growth of the small business sector is seen as a vital to future wealth creation and employment. Therefore, entrepreneurial skills are essential if we are to prepare our students to be successful in their future careers. Many may create their own businesses, others will work for already established companies. In either case the ability to be entrepreneurial and enterprising is an essential or highly sort after skill.The main objective of the project is to help develop young entrepreneurs and wealth creators of the future. Over the life of the project they will create a business plan for a new product or service. In the home countries students from a variety of backgrounds will be invited to create a company. This business will include between 10-15 students who will take on different roles depending on their interests and qualities. Each company will be led by a managing director. Initially the students will learn about different types of businesses, aims and objectives and business ethics. The meetings in the partner countries will provide help and expertise in the different aspects of their plan (using the help and support of fellow students, teachers and business people). The students will also be encouraged and required to consider the social impacts of their plan and show they have a firm understanding of ethical business practices. At the final meeting of the project the students will present their final, completed business plan to an audience of invited guests, including members of the business community.As well as developing skills and knowledge the intention of the project is to enthuse and motivate students to become entrepreneurs. The students will learn 'by doing' and use these skills to create their own businesses or take them into their employment. It may also be the case that students may wish to continue working on their business and bring the product or service to the marketplace. The business plan will be the launchpad for their own business.