According to the SA Teen Entrepreneur youth foundation, the youth is never too young to begin learning the ropes of starting a business.
The foundation aims to stimulate and teach a generation of entrepreneurs from a young age. With the focus on upping high scholars’ skills, 50 students will participate and be encouraged to be the next #TeenBoss. The programme takes place from 20 to 22 July 2017.
Participating schools include Isilimela High School in Langa, Goodwood College in Goodwood, Oude Molen Academy of Science and Technology in Pinelands and Robinville High School in Atlantis.
Founder Lydia Zingone says the purpose of the foundation is to instil a culture of entrepreneurship in the youth, during a time when unemployment is rife and tertiary education is expensive.
“We need to offer our youth an alternative. By starting their own businesses, they can see something they love, they can impact their communities by addressing a need or a challenge, they can create employment opportunities, and they can over time impact the economy in a positive way.”
Feroza Adams from Goodwood College believes that it is key for high school students to participate in programmes such as these because entrepreneurial skills are necessary life skills that should be taught at all schools.
Adams further emphasised that students need to be able to take control of their futures by finding innovative ways to sustain themselves, “It is essential because not everybody will succeed academically, other people have different abilities and talents, and these should be honed while they make a living to support themselves and their families.”
Upon completion of the programme, Zingone says students would have learnt how to be problem solvers, innovators, troubleshooters and job creators, “Not only can such skills be applied in one’s own business, but we do believe it can add value to a formal business environment in that employees who have received such training will be competent to approach challenges in the workplace with an attitude to problem-solving, rather than to wait for an instruction.”
The entrepreneurial programme’s subject outline will consist of business ideas, customer analysis, marketing materials, budgeting and presenting skills. Programmes will run from Friday to Sunday.
