Entrepreneurship education and training at the Further Education and Training (FET) level in South Africa

Abstract

We assessed the levels of entrepreneurship education and training at the Further
Education and Training (FET) level in a South African context. We are of the
opinion that entrepreneurship education and training (of necessity) must fulfill
a primary role in preparing our youth for their future. Evidence from elsewhere,
in particular industrialised countries, indicates that entrepreneurship education
and training at school level play important roles in the contribution to economic
growth. Experts in the field of entrepreneurship believe that the contribution of
small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to the growth of our country can be
much higher if entrepreneurship education is implemented at school levels.
Entrepreneurship is now one of the outcomes of Grades R – 12. However, our
research clearly showed that various problems in schools hinder the effective
implementation of entrepreneurship education, some of which are poorly trained
educators and lack of adequate resources. Better entrepreneurship education
could make a significant contribution to job creation and ultimately to poverty
alleviation.

Keywords: education; entrepreneurship; high schools; training

South African Journal of Education Vol. 27 (4) 2007: pp. 613-630