Schools scheme 'could do better'

Schoolchildren are being taught entrepreneurial skills

A new report has found that a £86m Scottish Executive scheme to promote a "can-do" attitude in Scotland's schools could do better itself.

The Determined to Succeed initiative, which aims to encourage enterprising attitudes, was launched four years ago.

The executive is investing a further £1m in the scheme, which it considers to be a success.

However, its report said one in five councils has yet to offer pupils work experience linked to qualifications.

It also found that one in 10 local authorities had yet to develop a strategy to raise parents' awareness of the scheme.

Beating targets

The executive claims that a record number of pupils across Scotland are involved in enterprise learning as a result of the scheme.

It is based on the principle that a strong Scottish economy requires enterprising and entrepreneurial young people.

Four times the target number of links between schools and businesses have been created under the scheme, which is operating in every school in the country.

Our young people will be the driving force of Scotland's economic future Nicol Stephen Enterprise Minister

Nicol Stephen, the minister for enterprise and lifelong learning, said: "We now have a record number of young people involved in enterprise learning - providing them with the education, support and opportunities they will need to excel in the workplace.

"This is a significant success story but there is still a great deal to be done. Today's report shows that Determined to Succeed has been recognised as far afield as the USA and Australia as a world leading enterprise education strategy.

"Our young people will be the driving force of Scotland's economic future. It is vital that they have the attitude and expertise needed to succeed in the global economy."

The CBI, the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, the Federation of Small Businesses and others will be closely involved in the allocation of the new funding.

Sir Tom Hunter has also contributed a further £2m through this charitable trust.

There are now more than 7,000 school/business partnerships - nearly four times the original target - and 22,000 teachers are trained in enterprise education.

Additional funding

The additional £1m will come from the enterprise, transport and lifelong learning department's budget for 2007-08.

Mr Stephen said: "We know that the private sector wants to be more involved in enterprise education and we are keen to work with them.

"Our young people will be the driving force of Scotland's economic future. It is vital that they have the attitude and expertise needed to succeed in the global economy."

CBI Scotland director Iain McMillan said: "Determined to Succeed has made significant in-roads in creating the long-term cultural change needed to ensure our young people are best equipped with the skill-set and mind-set required to make the successful transition from school to the workplace..

"We welcome this additional Scottish Executive funding to further work on building these links."