Welcome to the Make Your Mark campaign’s Enterprise Insights where only the most interesting enterprise developments and stories are delivered to you fortnightly.

Driving up innovation

Manufacturing: New Challenges, New Opportunities (DIUS - PDF 0.8MB)

The British manufacturing sector has boomed since 1997; achieving 50% productivity growth and contributing more than £150 billion to the UK economy – but more must be done to maintain this, according to a new blueprint for manufacturing released by the government.  The government and trade bodies will establish a new campaign strengthening links between schools and the manufacturing sector to help promote enterprising jobs throughout the industry.

Real-world education and skills

Developing Entrepreneurial Graduates (NESTA - PDF: 2.2 MB)

A ‘systematic overhaul’ of university education is necessary to embed enterprise in every subject; a change that will enrich university experiences and prepare graduates for dynamic working environments. The study, by NESTA, provides case-study based recommendations for Higher Education Institutions to counter ‘structural, cultural and attitudinal’ barriers to enterprise education.

State of the Nation: Science and Mathematics Education, 14 - 19 (The Royal Society – PDF: 1.5MB)

The UK’s future competitiveness will be undermined if the current decline in science and mathematics participation is not stemmed, according to a report by The Royal Society. Key recommendations include ensuring research analyses socioeconomic and ethnic participation, and creating an independent body to oversee curriculum reform.

Growing good business / social enterprise

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Development Trusts Association (DTA) argue that community-led enterprise organisations are an important vehicle in creating an enterprising culture and for moving individuals out of poverty. One of the groups highlighted by the DTA established a project selling unwanted items on an internet auction site on behalf of local people whilst providing free training and advice on generating income themselves.

In the media

The effect of a troubling economic climate on entrepreneurship has been a hot topic recently; with the National Federation of Enterprise Agencies (NFEA) arguing that any possible increase in unemployment would see many of those individuals pursuing self-employment.

Motivated, decisive and entrepreneurial private sector companies could demonstrate the power of innovation to the public sector, according to the Chairman of Channel 4, Luke Johnson.

Manchester City Football Club have become the second Premier League club to launch an enterprise initiative, a scheme announced earlier this year by Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform John Hutton in the government's Enterprise Strategy.  John Denham has also announced a new review of 'employee engagement' to report back early next year on ways that government and businesses can maximise employees' potential.

In attempt to encourage consumers to support local businesses, residents in the East Sussex town of Lewes have printed 10, 000 Lewes £1 notes. Although the notes can only be spent within Lewes, national interest in the idea has led to them becoming a collector’s item and another 10,000 are on their way.

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