Peter Jones, businessman and tv Dragons Den judge, has teamed up with the government to launch a network of ‘enterprise academies’ across the UK.
The purpose of the academies will be to identify the next generation of entrepreneurs. The first of the institutions will be launched in September 2009, and will be in the South East of England.
The initiative is to be aimed at Britain’s teenagers aged 16-18, and will be available to those from all ‘educational backgrounds.’
The National Enterprise Academy (NCA) is backed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown and forms part of the governments new enterprise strategy. The Academies will be funded by both the government and Peter Jones to the tune of £4million each.
The academies also have the broader remit of raising enterprise awareness among the entire population and boosting female entrepreneurs which are currently unrepresented in the business community.
Jones has paid particular attention to the difference in the ‘entreprenurial mindset’ between the UK and USA, stating that “Here, there tends to be a ‘Can I’ approach, where in the US the ‘I Can’ belief is instilled at a young age.”
“If the UK economy is to become a world leader in business, we need to create the right learning environment for all our children, where their talents can be developed so they can go out into the workplace or business and prosper.”
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9 comments so far
1 » National Enterprise Academy Launched By Peter Jones // Mar 22, 2008 at 1:53 am
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2 jordan // Mar 27, 2008 at 1:33 pm
well i think its a very good idea i am a big fan of peter jones and love watching dragons den i dont know anywhere to go to study business and would like to however im only 13. So when im 16 im going to the peter jones academy but em where is the academy and how much does it cost to be in the academy
3 john // Apr 23, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Good comment from Jordan. I have found this e mail address where PJ can answer your questions: enquiries@pj.tv
4 Igho // Jul 3, 2008 at 3:55 pm
i believe that it is a good idea and i would like to go there myself as i have just finished secondary school
5 fuchsia darley // Oct 30, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Hi my name is Fuchsia Darley i had the pleasure of meeting four members of the Peter Jones team on the 27th oct as they came to Castle College in Sheffield to review the possibility of building the Academy in Sheffield.My passion in life is Make-up Artistry/Fashion Styling/Costume Design. I am fully qualified in these areas and was approached by Peter Jones right hand lady to be involved the ‘National Enterprise Academy’ launch along with my models and my designs.I am very keen to know more about this event.
thankyou
yours faithfully
Fuchsia Darley
6 Ian McNab // Aug 24, 2009 at 1:23 pm
I also am a great fan of Peter Jones, but find it sad the he only intends to take an interest in ‘Young Entrepreneurs’!! There are still many of us older ones out here Peter! I have been waiting for someone like you for twenty years!
7 Exceed Expectation // Aug 26, 2009 at 1:52 pm
I agree, it’s certainly time for a paradigm shift in the UK to assist us through the end of this recession and into the next financial boom that is only a few short months away.
Best Wishes, Pete
8 VIcki Cook // Sep 12, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Me too! I’m 22 and noone had faith in me at a young age! I wanted to develop my own art business… but now, after finishing my degree (self-supported!) I find myself in a lot of debt, unable to get a job cos I have no work experience, benifits not covering my rent and no idea how to start setting up a business that will survive in the declining market!
I am however, extatic that young people will have this oppurtunity, it would just be lovely to have this kind of help for people who are older
Vicki
9 Emmanuel Adesina // Sep 21, 2009 at 7:31 pm
This is a brilliant idea for the younger ones who wish to become an entreprenuer , but the age limit of 16-19 yrs is too narrow , what about other younger ones above this age group who might be interested also in this venture as well. I hope this age limitation could be increased to give chance to different age group . (16YRS- 26)
become an entreprenuer, but i think the age limit is too low . I believe the age should not be the barrier , what happen to people who are above the age gap and interested in becoming an entreprenuer. I hope the age limit would be reviewed soon.