New qualification enabling the next generation of social entrepreneurs

"Our answer is the world's hope; it is to rely on youth." These words spoken by Robert F. Kennedy to crowds gathered at the University of Capetown in 1966, still ring true today. The youth generation, ever full of energy, creativity and a rock-solid belief that they will change the world, should be encouraged to do just that. Social enterprise provides a perfect platform from which the next generation can launch their enthusiasm and ideals onto the world. Now there is a qualification aimed directly at young people to help develop their enterprising skills, while making a real difference to the communities and environment they live and work in.

A new international qualification in social enterprise entered the education scene last month. The qualification will be run in schools and youth groups and will teach and test youngsters on the skills needed to set up and run a social enterprise. The qualification has been developed by the pioneering UK-based Real Ideas Organisation (RIO). RIO is an organization which creates opportunities for young people through social enterprise. To achieve the qualification, young people will have to demonstrate a good understanding of what social enterprise and ethical trading are about, and will also be expected to develop real new products or services within their school, community or a wider marketplace.

The Social Enterprise Qualification (SEQ) is being piloted in over 50 schools and youth organisations the UK, China and Uganda. The qualification has been developed "to accredit and encourage young people working for positive social change". SEQ will be all about learning through doing. The assessment criteria focuses on a young person's ability to understand and develop the skills needed to make a successful social enterprise: communication, creativity, innovation and business acumen. The SEQ will be structured in bronze, silver and gold categories and will be linked to the UK's National Qualifications Credit framework.

Paula Winzar, founder and project lead of SEQ says: "Through extensive research and work with schools and social enterprises over the last three years, RIO has found that although many entrepreneurs are doers who don't always need qualifications to achieve social change or economic success, the best way to mainstream social enterprise learning for young people is to create a qualification so that schools can give it time and budget. We want SEQ to become that qualification, a way for young people to be recognised for the socially entrepreneurial activity many of them are already engaged in and we would love social enteprises to get behind us and help make it happen."

The SEQ is at the pilot stage at the moment. However once established the idea is that it will provide a recognisable benchmark for informed social enterprise practice. The qualification will be rooted in practical knowledge and experience, providing the young participants with the kind of transferrable skills that potential employers are looking for. Once the pilot phase is complete and formal accreditation is in place, SEQ will become available for schools and youth groups internationally to buy and run themselves, linking into the wider SEQ network and social enterprise sector.

Photo credit: Spirit-Fire