Entrepreneurial Skills CurriculumIntroduction

The teaching of entrepreneurial skills is to offer opportunities to students who are at risk of not starting or completing their secondary education. This would create avenues for them to generate feasible and sustainable income for themselves while make a meaningful contribution to the country. This course aims to motivate these young people to stay in school; to recognize business opportunities and to plan for a successful future. The program is geared to work along with other life skills and training programs that will guide the students to gain or develop a skill or trade that will turn them into viable and sustainable business persons.

Target Group

The target group for this course is those students who failed the common entrance exam more than once but are not at age to be enrolled in ABICE program.

Time Allocation

Time allocated for this course should be 90 hours. This will be divided into a minimum of 70 minutes (two 35 minute periods) per week over a two year period.

Benefits

Besides motivating these at risk students to stay in school, this program will have the following positive benefits:

1. Creating employment and income generating opportunities for the students;2. Teaching business and life skills;3. Building self worth among the students;4. Stimulating economic activities in Antigua and Barbuda;5. Linking the educational and business world in the classroom and beyond;6. Provides goods and services to the community;7. Promotes innovation and resilience;8. Allows disadvantage youths the ability to succeed regardless of their background.

Format

This program will use different teaching methods to cater for the various and diverse needs of the students. Teaching format will include;

1 Prepared by Jacqueline Peters-Richardson – Education Officer Business

a. Formal and informal group discussionsb. Brainstormingc. Field tripsd. Guess speakerse. Case studyf. Practicalsg. Games

Content

Unit 1 - Who is an Entrepreneur

Objectives

Upon completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. State who is an entrepreneur2. Identify the role of an entrepreneur3. Identify the characteristics of an entrepreneur4. Understand the risk of becoming an entrepreneur5. Recognize the benefits of being a successful business owner6. Differentiate between an opportunity and an idea7. Recognize investment capital is necessary for an idea to become an opportunity8. Asses the reason why you are thinking about starting a business

Unit 2 – What is a business

Objectives

Upon completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. State what is a business2. Identify functions of a business3. Identify different types of businesses ownership4. Ethical business behaviors5. Describe the functional areas of a business6. Define important terms and concepts related to business7. Define and describe the characteristics of a simple contract8. Prepare simple contracts

2 Prepared by Jacqueline Peters-Richardson – Education Officer Business

Unit 3 – Plan your business

Objectives

Upon completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Observe businesses that already exist and how to add to them or fill a need2. Assess needs and apply what they know3. Explore the area of franchise as a way to start a business or expand a business4. Look at sources of ideas and how to turn a hobby into a business5. What is a business opportunity6. State the steps in product development7. State the reasons for packaging and labeling products8. Identify steps in setting prices9. List types of pricing strategies10. What is market research11. What is competitive advantage12. Identity different promotional strategies13. Define marketing14. Study the target market15. Define competitive analysis

Unit 4 – Business Plan

Objectives

Upon completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. State the purpose of a business plan2. Understand the outline of a standard business plan3. Prepare a basic business plan4. Follow the procedure to register a business in Antigua and Barbuda5. Identify various financing options for small business in Antigua and Barbuda

Unit 5 – Manage your business

Objectives

Upon completion of this unit students should be able to:

3 Prepared by Jacqueline Peters-Richardson – Education Officer Business

1. State functions of management and their responsibilities2. Identify different styles of leadership3. Learn the concept of the business life cycle4. Learn the growth phases in the life of a business5. Identify strategies to be used to solve internal conflicts6. Identify guidelines to establish good relations between manager and enployees7. Evaluate the importance of team work8. Identity sources of conflict9. Identify procedures for good financial management10. Identity and calculate deductions required by law in Antigua and Barbuda11. Identity business obligations to statutory organization (social security, medical benefits,

education levy, and income tax)12. State the importance of customer service

Unit 7 – Introduction to Computers for Business

Objectives

Upon completion of this unit students should be able to;

1. Identify how the computer can assist in business operations2. Identity different software packages that can enhance business operations3. Use different software (Word, Excel, Power Point and Publishers) to enhance your

business.

4 Prepared by Jacqueline Peters-Richardson – Education Officer Business