Entrepreneurship as Career Option

Posted by: Mark Marich on March 19, 2010 Source: Policy Dialogue on Entrepreneurship

Various countries are launching new initiatives to boost entrepreneurship education within their traditional institutions. For example, Canada’s Federal Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism) Rob Moore met with entrepreneurs and mentors last week in Toronto to discuss the state of youth entrepreneurship in Canada. Hosted by the Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF), the meeting focused on the importance of strengthening youth entrepreneurship across Canada, and its positive and immediate contribution to Canada's economic recovery and global competitiveness. CYBF, as the Official Host for Global Entrepreneurship Week – Canada, received the "Country of the Year 2009" award presented by the Kauffman Foundation at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress held in Dubai on March 9th. Canada’s federal government and CYBF are partners. The country’s recent budget includes $10 million in funding to CYBF to help create more than 500 new businesses across Canada within the next year.
 
In the U.S., the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office awarded a $35,000 grant to the Yuba Community College District's Small Business Development Center to support its Young Entrepreneur Program (YEP). YEP is an 18-hour program designed to showcase business management and ownership as a career option. The program was launched by the State Chancellor's Office in 2008 and is available to entrepreneurs between the ages of 14 and 27.
 
In Ireland, Sligo Senator Marc MacSharry has called for greater focus on entrepreneurship in the Irish education system. The Senator said the concept of job creation and innovation should be included in the curriculum at both primary and secondary level.
 
Many more countries and organizations are trying to get their youth engaged at an early age with entrepreneurship with the express purpose of ensuring that innovation and entrepreneurship will thrive in the future.  

Category:  Education  Global  Tags:  cybf, canada