Should freelancing be a subject on the national curriculum?

The FPB's submission to the entrepreneurship inquiry stated that schools have a leading role to play in boosting the amount of young people who go on to become successful entrepreneurs.

The All-party Parliamentary inquiry opened in December to investigate the barriers facing small businesses and how entrepreneurs can drive economic growth. The group was also tasked with identifying ways the UK can increase the number of people with enough motivation to run a profitable enterprise.

The FPB stressed that young people would gain more benefits from obtaining work experience in a small organisation rather than a large company.

Jane Bennett, the head of campaigns at the FPB, said schools have a major role to play because they whet the appetite of young minds for the world of work. Schools can encourage the entrepreneurial spirit and the Forum urges the government to provide them with the tools they need to do this, including amending the curriculum and encouraging closer collaboration with local businesses.

Young people should also receive more work experience but the current system needs to be improved to provide new opportunities for placements in smaller enterprises rather than multi-nationals. Pupils would then have the chance to work alongside more experienced people who can share useful skills.

The Forum also reiterated its calls for NI holidays and better access to finance for small companies.

© 2012 All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
Image: School by Elizabeth Albert