Enterprise Learning for the 21st Century Initiative

The Australian Government has funded 47 projects under an initiative that will encourage young Australians to be enterprising and seize opportunities.

The Enterprise Learning for the 21st Century initiative is funding businesses, industry, education and community organisations to undertake innovative projects that support young people to build their enterprise skills, think creatively and reach their full potential.

The initiative provides $10 million over the four years ending 2007–08.

The Australian Government is committed to building an enterprise culture within Australia and to fostering an entrepreneurial spirit among young Australians. An enterprising young person possesses the skills, behaviours and attributes they need to capture the economic opportunities of the 21st century.

Enterprising young people are enthusiastic, innovative, resilient, creative, motivated, involved and flexible. Utilising all the talents that exist in Australia is the key to our future economic and social well-being. Enterprising young people are optimistic about their future, whether it is in self-employment, employment or further education or training.

The Enterprise Learning for the 21st Century initiative aims to promote the development of an enterprising culture. The program has four strategic priorities:

• supporting initiatives to promote entrepreneurial and enterprising skills among young people;
• supporting industry and business involvement in enterprising activities for young people at a local level;
• supporting innovative models to develop enterprising communities; and
• promoting best practice in enterprise education in schools.

The projects funded through the initiative will encourage Australia's enterprise culture through:

• innovation and creativity;
• information sharing and enterprise activities at local level;
• promoting an environment for young people to be entrepreneurial, enterprising, creative and resilient; and
• opportunities for authentic learning experiences for young people to make stronger connections between what they learn at school and the real world, which may include but are not limited to:
• enhancing community development through networks that addressing local needs;
• opportunities for young people to learn more about working for themselves or others and responding to opportunities to create social and financial capital; and
• strategic alliances between local business and industry groups, young people, parents, community groups, schools principals, teachers and vocational education coordinators.