The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has today given the go ahead for an apprenticeship for entrepreneurs, including a specific pathway for social entrepreneurs – people who run ventures to solve social problems and effect social change.
Launched under the government’s Trailblazer programme, the scheme recognises that entrepreneurship is a viable career choice, giving those aiming to start their own business or social venture the opportunity to gain experience while building their entrepreneurial skills.
Around 50 employers and supporter organisations are working to develop the apprenticeship standard, including Deutsche Bank, and a number of SMEs and social enterprises including Reason Digital, Talentino Careers, Super Being Labs and Simply Do CIC.
The group is chaired by Alberto Masetti-Zannini from Impact Hub King’s Cross and is supported by UnLtd, the UK’s foundation for social entrepreneurs, along with the Federation of Small Businesses and the Centre for Entrepreneurs.
Employers are backing the new apprenticeship as it reflects the changing economic landscape, with the number of newly registered businesses rocketing from 484,224 in 2012 to an estimated 581,173 in 2014. Close to half (47%) of people aged 18-30 want to start their own business.
There’s also growing appetite among young people to make a positive impact on the world. Seven in ten (70%) prospective startups are influenced by social causes, while 27% would choose to form a social enterprise.
Yet only a fraction of aspiring entrepreneurs actually start up, with many lacking the skills to begin, or the confidence to succeed.
UnLtd CEO Cliff Prior said: “Entrepreneurship is fast becoming the new normal. UnLtd is committed to helping people who have entrepreneurial solutions for social problems to start well and thrive.
“This apprenticeship is a first step to creating a new way to join the ever more diverse and powerful movement of entrepreneurs for good, bringing social entrepreneurship into the mainstream – a viable career choice for anyone, no matter their background.”
And skills minister Nick Boles added: “Businesses must have their say in training tomorrow’s workforce. Giving employers the power to design apprenticeships means apprentices graduate with the skills they need for the job they want and businesses get the talent they need to grow.
“Young people on these programmes will have the opportunity to learn sought-after skills and enjoy a great start to a working life.”