Careers Wales launches new enterprise & entrepreneurship resources for teachers

Careers Wales has introduced a suite of new resources designed to enhance the entrepreneurial expertise of teachers and the support provided to pupils under the age of 16.

Developed in partnership with Big Ideas Wales and a working group of teachers and practitioners, these resources align with the principles of the Curriculum for Wales. The new materials, which are now available for download from the Hwb, include:

• Entrepreneurial learning: a thematic resource

This resource offers a structured framework for teachers to deliver customized learning opportunities, integrating entrepreneurial skills into the Curriculum for Wales for ages 3 to 16 through various themes and experiences.

• Our Enterprise Journey

This adaptable resource provides a mapped learning journey for ages 3 to 16, helping teachers deliver bespoke entrepreneurial experiences.

• The Enterprise & Entrepreneurship toolkit

This toolkit comprises various initiatives and resources designed to support educators in guiding young people aged 3 to 16 on their path to becoming enterprising creative contributors.

• The Enterprising Ideas Bank

This resource offers 13 activity ideas aimed at inspiring and supporting entrepreneurship education for younger learners.

These resources offer a variety of initiatives, toolkits, and activity ideas to inspire and support teachers in fostering entrepreneurship and creative contributions among young learners.

In addition, Careers Wales also developed new resources to guide young people aged 12-17 with starting a business, titled ‘So, you want to be an entrepreneur?’.  A version for adults has also been developed titled ‘So, you know a young person who wants to be an entrepreneur?’, to guide parents, carers and teachers who may be supporting a young person starting a business.

Written by author Lorraine Allman, the guides are designed to be interactive with suggested next steps or actions in each section. They include content on the key stages of starting a business including the risks and benefits, what makes a good business idea, market research, IP, legals, as well as inspiring stories and videos from young people who started their business at an early age.

Lorraine Allman said: “I was delighted to write these resources on behalf of Careers Wales. There’s a real gap in support for young people under the age of 16 who would like to explore a business idea – this resource fills that gap and gives them a practical guide to getting their business off the ground.”

Sean Parry, CWRE Curriculum Co-ordinator at Careers Wales said: “We are thrilled to be releasing these resources. We encourage all educators to explore them and incorporate them into their teaching. The resources will help young learners embark on their journey to becoming enterprising creative contributors.”

Jamie Taylor, Deputy Headteacher at Craigfelen Primary School in Swansea, said: “I have found using the enterprise resources really useful, they supplement my current practice and can be adapted to fit the needs of my class, school or community. They focus well on the development of the entrepreneurship skills in easy-to-follow steps.

“It is easy to use the toolkit in any topic or scheme and it fits perfectly without becoming extra work or an add on to what we are already doing.”

Andy Penaluna, Professor Emeritus, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, said: “These resources, designed by teachers for teachers, will enhance the opportunities to prepare pupils, giving them confidence to succeed and contribute to prosperity, sustainable futures, and their own personal life goals.”

Matthew Bannister, Deputy Headteacher at Morriston Primary, said: “From a practitioner’s perspective the ‘Entrepreneurial Learning resource’ is a ‘one stop shop’ for the teaching of entrepreneurial skills and attributes. The resource is designed to be adaptable to the diversity of each setting and age-range of the learner, whilst considering vital elements of the Curriculum for Wales. A must for a teacher’s toolkit!”

Claire Sheen, Teacher at the Idris Davies School, said: “We hope the resources will enable students to build brighter futures through collaboration and innovation, empowering every student in Wales to become the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.”

Angela Williams, Teacher at Treowen Primary School, said: “They are very useful resources. I particularly like how it opens up different avenues for implementing this purpose in school, beyond a ‘business orientated’ model, as it means that our work with Peer Mentoring and the Eco-committee, to name just two examples, are both utilising the enterprising aspect of the curriculum.

“I also like the explanation of skills, roles and responsibilities that can be experienced across the curriculum which provide enterprising and creative opportunities for our learners. I look forward to sharing this with my colleagues across school.”

For information relating to careers support and guidance, head to the Careers Wales website.