Introducing enterprise – research into the practical aspects of introducing innovative enterprise schemes as extra curricula activities in higher education

Abstract

Purpose

Enhancing student opportunity and providing an outstanding learning experience within an increasingly competitive market requires a multifaceted approach to learning. This paper aims to show how a social enterprise initiative can help students differentiate their offering to the workplace and in doing so develop skills that promote elegant self-management.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is a continuous project to gather data to evaluate on the effectiveness of enterprise activities and will incorporate both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, through what is largely an action research study.

Findings

This paper presents one approach to the challenge of student engagement, by encouraging choice and being proactive in adding value to CV's, through student led practical initiatives. Lecturers assist in managing student expectation and embedding realism; the realism of the need for transferable employability skills, and the challenges and opportunities faced during times of change. By enthusing students (and feedback suggests this is happening in our current project) a virtuous circle is created, manifested in increased graduate student employment and a competitive edge.

Originality/value

This is an experiential project of creating an enterprise committee which enhances the learning experience, teaches students how to take theory and apply it in real situations, and builds their confidence. By linking vocational and reflective modules’ to entrepreneurial skills, a balance is struck not just between academia and employability but also work and life, addressing the contemporary challenge of not just teaching students business theory or employability skills but of practical self-management.

Citation

Burrows, K. and Wragg, N. (2013), "Introducing enterprise – research into the practical aspects of introducing innovative enterprise schemes as extra curricula activities in higher education", Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, Vol. 3 No. 3, pp. 168-179. https://doi.org/10.1108/HESWBL-07-2012-0028