“the application of creative ideas and innovations to practical situations… a generic concept that can be applied across all areas of education… combines creativity, ideas development and problem solving with expression, communication and practical action.” (QAA, 2012: 8)

“an enhanced capacity to generate ideas and the skills to make them happen” (QAA, 2012: 2).

Enterprise education?

“ the additional knowledge, attributes and capabilities required to apply these abilities” (QAA, 2012: 2).

http://www.athgo.org/ablog/index.php/2013/09/17/entrepreneurship-web-3-0s-transform-africa-2013

Entrepreneurship education?

Blackburn College • Founded in 1888 Technical College

• 15,000 students

• Second largest provider of HE in FE with over 3,000 students

• Population circa 147,000 • Young population profile - 29% aged 0-19 - fifth

highest proportion of any LA in England (average 24%)

• 31% BME population compared with 14% nationally• 28th most deprived (IMD 2010)• 4,425 VAT/PAYE registered businesses which 95%

employ less than 20 people – SME territory• Industrial legacy with access to beautiful landscape

The Borough of Blackburn

Where will the jobs come from?

• Existing Businesses • New Businesses / self employment• Inward Investment • Connectivity – PL and beyond

(Blackburn with Darwen, 2013)

Business Mix

(Blackburn with Darwen, 2013)

Self Employment?

Our Challenge

• Raise awareness of Enterprise and Social Enterprise

• Identify projects to fund

• Change current practice?

• Engage employers in the process

Coffeemat Challenge

Since 2009...

• Business Idea Generationo 140 characters, very low barrier

• Votingo Fun and engaging means you get lots

of votes

• Like/Share Buttono Simple social media integration

• Emailso Not for much longer...

In 2013, Gamification

Challenges

Rewards

Ideas

Events

Shortlist

Winner(s)

Implementation• Competition ran 5th October -7th December • Incorporated Global Enterprise Week

• A steering group was formed to help open doors to social enterprise businesses, expertise, agree winners and advice.

• All branding to follow Coffeemat format adapted to Blackburn College

Further implementation

• Industry sponsors of the prizes(Suppliers)• Link to funding via UnLtd• Tutor briefing pack developed• Extensive calendar of enterprise/social events which

was held across college attracting 661 attendees

Highlights• 1442 students took part• 661 students attended a series of social

enterprise events. • 307 business ideas were generated.• Steering Committee Formed• Tutors Engaged• Businesses sponsored the prizes• Plethora of ‘PR opportunities’

Funded Projects

Funded Projects

• “Create an agony aunt App to support young people”

• “Project to raise awareness and create a support network for Mental Health in young people aged 16-18”

• “Create an App that enables students to recycle their old college books and also provide a college handbook to save printing costs”

• “Project is to up cycle car tyres which would reduce waste and fly tipping”

• “A recycling scheme through EBAY that recycles Public Sector goods that are no longer required”

Learning experiences

• Students have business ideas but support is required to take ideas forward

• Events’ schedule had a dramatic effect on participation levels in Coffeemat

• Deadline for awarding funding took longer than anticipated

• Businesses readily engaged

• Influence of senior college staff

But…

• Students required mentoring and on-going support to deliver their projects

• Funding arrangements excluded a number of Higher Education students who are over 21

• Canteen staff don’t like coffeemats!