Entrepreneurship studies and courses may seem to some like a theoretical straitjacket for creative business ideas. But a solid business background can give wings to ideas and ensure that practical hurdles in the life of new, growing and established businesses are more easily overcome.
Courses offered at universities, further education and training (FET) colleges and private institutions focus on real-life relevance. They should concentrate on establishing potential networking and should include a strong focus on issues such as legal compliance and labour relations relevant to fledging and growing businesses. Students should ensure that the institution they choose offers accredited courses and that the topics are applicable to their needs.
University of KwaZulu-Natal
The University of KwaZulu-Natal has established its Centre for Entrepreneurship aimed at ensuring that students from a variety of backgrounds are given entrepreneurial and business training. The centre’s aim is to ensure that people who choose to start their own businesses are equipped to do so, regardless of the degrees they pursue. The school has linked with research, business and government institutions, including the University of Limerick in Ireland and the Department of Economic Development in KwaZulu-Natal.
The programme is primarily aimed at BCom and business science students, but is also open to other undergraduate students. It includes case studies; field trips to small-, medium- and micro-enterprises; crisis management; studies in government regulations for small businesses; and global business outlooks in the information age. The honours course includes topics such as contemporary trends and developments in modern business. More information: Tel: (031) 260 1479 or www.ukznac.za/cfe/hcourses.html
University of Cape Town
A new training academy was launched at the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) graduate school of business this year. The academy is the brainchild of businessman Raymond Ackerman, who founded Pick ‘n Pay stores. It gives school leavers from disadvantaged backgrounds entrepreneurial and life skills training. The six-month course targets young people aged between 18 and 23.
Teaching is modelled on the UCT graduate school of business’s methods, but students will be taught experientially. One week a month is spent in a conventional classroom setting and the rest is spent on practical projects in their own communities.
Students who are accepted on to the programme are fully sponsored. To apply: Tel: (021) 406 1911 or www.gsb.uct.ac.za.
Esayidi FET college
The Esayidi FET college in Port Shepstone offers senior school learners and students studies from NQF 2 level to NQF 6 level. The business and management courses place an emphasis on subjects such as entrepreneurship and labour relations. At N6 level,students are required to complete 18 months’ practical training as part of their diploma. More information: Tel: (039) 318 1433 or visit:www.kzneducation.gov.za/fet/esayidi.
Business School of South Africa
The Business School of South Africa is a non-profit training and educational institution that aims to give accelerated training to people already in business as well as graduates and school leavers.
The Pretoria-based school’s primary thrust is to provide business-learning tools by fast-tracking learning without compromising fundamental business knowledge. The courses are short and may be useful to school leavers looking for a quick introduction to business topics.
Formal qualifications are not required to enrol in the courses, which range from one-day workshops to enhance business negotiation skills to six months’ training for better business management. There is also a one-day workshop, Entrepreneur’s Tool Kit, which aims to highlight common pitfalls that new businesses face and examines issues such as financial and marketing planning for start-up businesses. More information: Tel: (012) 347 5670 or www.business-school.co.za.
Central University of Technology
In 2002, 2 318 learners enrolled for courses at the Central University of Technology’s (CUT) school for entrepreneurship and business development, ranging from certificate courses to doctoral-level programmes. The CUT offers 97 subjects with a focus on training students to adapt to changing workplace needs. They also offer courses on market research and community involvement in entrepreneurial endeavours. More information: Tel: (051) 507-3911 or www.cut.ac.za.
Midrand University
Midrand University offers a BCom Entrepreneurship degree aimed at giving students confidence to start and run their own businesses once they leave the institution. The degree is conferred by Unisa and students need to meet the academic requirements set out by Unisa. More information: Tel: (011) 315 2853 ext 209/254 or www.mu.co.za or call