The Scotsman

Enterprise course adds new private sector names

● Scheme from Young Enterprise Scotland working with likes of RBS

- By EMMA NEWLANDS emma.newlands@jpimedia.co.uk

A“pioneering” enterprise learning course launches to day with a new line -up of private sector partners, aiming to reach more young people and meet changing needs of schools.

The expanded Young Enterprise Scotland (Yes) Company Programme, which offers the first “Higher” for entrepre - neurial skills and is backed by the Scottish Government, is introducin­g additional workshops and support from Accent u re, City Fibre, Ic as, I oD Scotland, Lyre co, The Marketing Society and Royal Bank of Scotland.

Last year, more than 2,000 pupils aged 17 to 18 in 140 schools across Scotland developed their enterprisi­ng skills by setting up and running their own companies as part of Yes’ Company Programme, with more than 300 going on to gain a SCQF Level 6 qualificat­ion for their achievemen­ts.

Referenced in the S cottish Government’s response to Benny Higgins’ Advisory Group of Economic Recovery report as a key dr iver of the nation’s economic recover y, Yes is launching a new learning model for the 2020/21 academic year with a Scotland-wide Digital Sup - port Programme, developed with the Scottish Tech Army. It includes virtual training and drop-in sessions, plus an online trading hub, with Yes’ partners delivering workshops on digital skills, leadership, finance, marketing and personal developmen­t. Also new for 20/21, credits scored for entreprene­urial skills under the SCQF scheme and administer­ed via Glasgow Kelvin College will count towards university places.

Yes boss Geoff Leaskw elcomed the support of “significan­t” private sector partners. “The importance of enterprise skills to our recovering economy is widely acknowledg­ed… Many Scottish business men and women who are now running their own companies and employing their own workforce are alumni of the Yes Company Programme and our ambition is to produce many, many more successful entreprene­urs for years to come.”

Speaking at the YES Festival of Youth Enterprise, Deputy First Minister John Swinney deemed enterprise education “critical”. He said: “Those who have taken par t in the [Yes] programme have truly forged the way ahead in this field.”

TARGET

“Our ambition is to produce many, many more successful entreprene­urs for years to come.” GEOFF LEASK

 ??  ?? 0 Yes boss Geoff Leask (left) with students from Stirling High School company Timescape
0 Yes boss Geoff Leask (left) with students from Stirling High School company Timescape

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