Search by topic
An enterprising approach
The Scottish Government's Determined to Succeed strategy, which aims to develop the enterprise and employability skills of our young people and help them to be all they can be, hosted a major international conference in Edinburgh at the end of 2009.
At the heart of the strategy are young learners who have knowledge and practical understanding of the world of work, and the skills and positive attitudes required to support sustained economic growth.
Delegates from across the world gathered in Scotland for a conference that showcased our world-leading commitment to young people through the Scottish Government's Determined to Succeed strategy.
The conference focused on the four key strands of enterprise education:
- Enterprising teaching and learning
- Entrepreneurial learning
- Work-based vocational learning
- Appropriately focused careers education
The audience learned that since 2003, Determined to Succeed has invested £131 million developing skills for learning, life and work in young people. The strategy joins employers with teachers to link the classroom to the workplace, so young people can see the economic context and relevance of their learning.
Key to the success of the conference was a series of field trips. Young people from all over Scotland hosted delegates and proved to be the programmes' best advocates. Their work was and is proof that the strategy is promoting effective, stimulating learning and teaching, which supports pupils' achievement and attainment.
Delegates were suitably impressed. Feedback included:
"What's special about Scotland is the systematic approach you have here to enterprise education and the curriculum. It's not just separate, individual projects. People from our colleges do go into schools and tell them what they can do. But that's just talk. What we saw today were lots of students learning for themselves." Lauri Jalonen, Estonia.
"I'm thinking now that the best way to change attitudes among teachers and employers is to provide them with activities and projects that get businesses and schools working together as partners. If you get people working together, talking together, they will all begin to see the benefits." Gjorgji Kusevski, Macedonia.