Current and future teachers are to learn more about entrepreneurship through an innovative and experiential qualification developed by the Wales Entrepreneurial Educators Network (WEEN) and accredited by Swansea Metropolitan University.

Aided by funding from the Welsh Government, the 'Entrepreneurial Educators' qualification was developed by the consortia as a vehicle to improve the ability of educators to develop an entrepreneurial culture amongst students and for enterprise and entrepreneurial activity to be embedded into the curriculum at all levels and across all specialisms.

The qualification has been piloted by Swansea Met as an accredited module within their Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) for the Post Compulsory Education and Training (PCET) sector. The pilot was recently launched at the University by Elin McCallum, Youth Entrepreneurship Manager within the Welsh Government's Department for Business, Enterprise, Technology and Science.

PGCE (PCET) Programme Director, Caroline Usei, said: "The Entrepreneurial Educators qualification aims to develop students' creativity, innovation and entrepreneurial skills through the study and application of entrepreneurship to the students' own subject areas. The qualification will be delivered to groups of learners comprised of individuals operating within diverse sections of the Lifelong Learning sector, such as Higher Education, Further Education, Work-Based Learning and private training organisations. This will increase learner interaction, allowing them to gain a broad learner experience and to improve their knowledge of education and training across a wide range of environments."

Timothy Holtom, one of the students undertaking the qualification, said: "One of the reasons that I opted for this particular qualification is that my own professional background is mainly practical, being based in engineering and building studies. This qualification has provided an opportunity for me to express my own thoughts and feelings and to develop innovative ideas from a completely new and dynamic angle, in relation to my teaching and learning practices."

The development of the qualification follows the completion of a feasibility study by the Welsh Government, which sought to review the views of those working within the Further and Higher Education sectors from within and beyond Wales. The study concluded that the climate is right for developing an educators' programme, with the favoured model being an extension of teacher training provision. Furthermore, it was found that transdisciplinary approaches would be essential, whilst being flexible enough to enable educators to adapt and reflect within their own contexts.

Swansea Metropolitan University hopes to build on the success of the module by developing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities for educators operating within schools, Further Education and Higher Education. For further information contact the PGCE (PCET) Programme Director, Caroline Usei on 01792 482009 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Published: Friday 2nd March 2012