Dragon to teach teens

ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS are a much valued asset in the 21st century, something which millionaire Peter Jones climbed out of his den to show today's teenagers today.

Best known for being the tall smiley one on TV show Dragon's Den, Jones is now reaching out to nurture young entrepreneurial talent through a national skills academy (NSA).

This academy will teach an estimated 11,000 14-19 year olds, particularly those who are disadvantaged, in entrepreneurship over the next three years.

These vocational qualifications in enterprise and entrepreneurship have been backed whole-heartedly by ministers at one of four academies aimed at giving young people the knowledge and skills needed to get a foot in business in this day and age.

UK skills secretary John Denham approved these academies today to develop skills as entrepreneurs, IT workers, electrical engineers and social carers in over 150,000 young people and adults.

The government will fund each NSA with £30m which employers will have to match.

Training will be available online at NSA colleges and through training providers already in business such as the 12 existing NSAs.

"Now, more than ever before, we need to develop innovative training that inspires and empowers a new generation to realise their ambitions. Skills academies put employers in the driving seat to shape training for their industries, building the world-beating workforce that will improve productivity and competitiveness across the country," says Denham.

Peter Jones said of the project, "I'm delighted with this commitment from government to enterprise learning. Through powerful public and private sector partnership, we can successfully unlock the talent of Britain's young people and realise the potential of the UK to lead the world in entrepreneurship. µ

L'Inq
The Guardian