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