In a first for South Africa, St Stithians Boys' College has commenced a 10-week programme for Grade 10 Business Studies learners that will see them formally register and operate real businesses, from the creation of business plans, through funding, staffing, marketing and trading.
The programme will be taught for four hours a week during class time. Technically, it forms part of the existing Business Studies curriculum, but, because real companies are being created, it goes substantially beyond requirements. Learners will work in teams of three and will be guided through the entire process of starting and running a company by industry experts.
The programme is co-sponsored by Sage Pastel and Standard Bank. Sage Pastel is allowing full access to an extensive suite of its business software, including its online accounting program, My Business Online, VIP Liquid Payroll, LegalWrite for the supply of all legislation-aligned documentation, BEE123, and online marketing through MyWebspace.
Having built Sage Pastel from scratch, MD Steven Cohen said he understood the challenges faced by entrepreneurs. "Small business owners need as much support as possible. Basic business knowledge is not always part of an entrepreneur's skill set and the Sage Pastel Business Incubator Programme will provide that insight and support. Teaching future entrepreneurs how to use these tools is the greatest gift we can give them."
The initiative of Ryan Wiesner, head of the college's Business Studies Department, aims to bring the real world into the classroom. "Increasingly, South Africans will have to create their own jobs, and entrepreneurial skills are vital. Few teenagers have access to this kind of learning and I believe it offers the most important life skill they will learn at school. Even at university, students are taught each specialisation in isolation and they're not equipped to tie every aspect of a business together as an entrepreneur has to. The fact that Sage Pastel and Standard Bank uniquely offer entire business support is what makes our business incubator programme so unique."
Cohen said the comprehensive lesson plans Wiesner has developed were very exciting. "I would have loved something like this at school. Although we're making our software available for free, the teams will be required to write an exam at the end of the process. Those who pass will be registered as licensed Sage Pastel users."
Wiesner explained that the teams would either adopt an existing business idea that requires assistance, or they would explore the feasibility of a business idea they themselves have come up with. "The choice will be entirely theirs and they will be assisted by Sage Pastel and Standard Bank as they get started, with more experts coming on board as required."
Headmaster Dave Knowles said the programme would not be possible without the support of the parents. "As a school, we believe education needs to become more focused on real-life experience in order to equip learners to successfully move beyond the protective environment we provide. Co-operative education that involves more than just the school and learner is a positive way to ensure this kind of enhanced learning," said Knowles.
Clive Pintusewitz, Head of Small Enterprises at Standard Bank, said they fully expected some viable businesses to emerge from the programme. "We are committed to the growth and success of the SME sector in South Africa, and we're pleased to be involved in this initiative. The curriculum will expose our future entrepreneurs to practical lessons in starting and managing a business. The learners will be working with Standard Bank's BizLaunch solution, which has been specifically designed to help entrepreneurs get their businesses started the right way."
He said the bank was looking forward to interacting with the future generation of business owners, and would be providing them with the same expertise and support that all current business customers are used to.
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