Welcome to Enterprise Insights, where we deliver the most interesting enterprise developments and stories to you fortnightly.

Global

A Global Perspective on Entrepreneurship Education and Training (GEM special report – PDF: 1.7 MB)

Education and training doubles of the odds of engaging in early-stage entrepreneurial activity, according to a report by the Global Entrepreneurship (GEM) looking into the effect of entrepreneurship education and training on starting a business across 38 countries, including the UK. Across these, one in five working-age individuals have received training in starting a business, with a large majority, around 80% on average, receiving start-up training as a part of their formal education in school, college or university. In addition, however, 60% of adults have received informal training – mostly self-study and courses offered by business associations – suggesting a high demand for focused “not for credit, but for real” training. The report also examines the effects of training on an individual’s entrepreneurial awareness, attitudes, intentions and activity.

Local

UK Competitiveness Index 2010 (Centre for International Competitiveness – PDF: 2.2 MB)

The South East of England has for the first time overtaken London as the UK’s most competitive regional economy, according to the UK Competitiveness Index, which rates local areas according to what they offer to growing businesses and entrepreneurs. The study, which was carried out by the Centre for International Competitiveness at the University of Wales Institute in Cardiff, has shown that the capital has slipped into second place, followed by the East of England in third position. The region with the greatest improvement in competitiveness is North West England, which has risen from eighth to fourth place among the UK's 12 regions since 1997.

Now

Galvanising Community-led Responses to Climate Change (NESTA – PDF: 468 KB)

Community-led innovation will be central to the UK's ability to achieve its CO2 emission reduction targets, according to a recent NESTA policy paper. It proposes a number of recommendations to achieve community-led responses to climate change, including creating an independent income stream for community-led initiatives, promoting community ownership of renewable energy schemes, and measuring and recognising the success of communities that have achieved particular milestones in carbon reduction.

Election 2010

Political Parties’ Manifesto Briefings (Enterprise UK – PDF: 100KB)

Enterprise UK has prepared briefing papers analysing the relevant points for enterprise and entrepreneurship emerging from the three main parties’ manifestos. Our short ‘At a Glance’ briefing highlights the manifesto commitments in areas of business and enterprise, the economy, the third sector, public sector reform, and education. You can also read about the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties’ election proposals in more detailed individual briefings.

News

Real-life work experience is essential for young people to build a successful career, according to Enterprise UK Chairman Peter Jones. Writing in the Guardian Education supplement, he suggested that the existing apprenticeship model works better for large employers than small, medium and micro businesses, and calls for dedicated enterprise apprenticeships that give exposure to several businesses.

A new task force headed by Enterprise champion Sir Alan Sugar and including outgoing Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) chairman John Wright has been formed to advise the government on the role of the Small Business Credit Adjudicator (SBCA) announced in the Budget, which aims to ensure that small companies are treated fairly when applying for credit. The task force will meet banks and small businesses to discuss financing issues and will publish a consultation document in the summer.

The Queens’s Award for Lifetime Achievement in Enterprise Promotion has this year been given to George Douglas Scott, Chief Executive Officer of TEDCO Ltd. Ten more individuals received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion, which is awarded annually to people who play a significant role in promoting enterprise skills and encourage entrepreneurial attitudes in others in the UK.

New figures from the 'FSB Voice of Small Business Index' demonstrate that while small firms are slowly moving into recovery they are not yet in a position to take on more staff. The survey of over 1,400 Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) members shows that, while 16% expect their overall business performance to improve over the next three months, 63% will keep employment levels on hold. 

Around two-thirds of businesses are confident about their ability to expand over the next 12 months, according to a poll of 250 UK plc directors from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).