Enterprise Zone
Borders College pledges to provide the opportunity for all full time students to develop Enterprise within the curriculum and through a range of support materials.
The Borders College Enterprise Zone, provides inspiration and access to a wide range of resources and expert guidance to encourage your enterprise activity and help you to think about your ideas.
Although enterprise is normally related to starting your own business, it is much more than this. It is about gaining a wide range of skills that help you to develop ideas, problems solve, communicate effectively and ultimately contribute to business and economic success.
You have the potential to become Global Citizens of the future and we are committed to making this happen. Enterprise activities are embedded throughout the curriculum, providing an opportunity for you to realise what enterprise looks like within your chosen career path. As you progress with your learning at Borders College, you will accumulate skills and experiences which are directly transferable to the workplace.
Enterprise Skills explores all meta-skills – what they are, how to evidence, how and where to apply them based on selected SDS/SQA meta skills described in relation to enterprise.
All skills are transferrable, having an Enterprise skillset which you can use within your working and personal life is paramount to help shape the future.
Whether you are undertaking enterprise at College or within your job, you will develop your skillset. These will develop within your career with an understanding of your work ethics and how your contribution fits into the bigger plan.
- Meta skills
- Awareness of where you will work and operate
- Embedding sustainability & global citizenship – recognising opportunities
At Borders College we empower you to understand and develop your skillset to help grow your future. While these are not exhaustive, it is important that our future workforce is aware of the difference they can make to themselves and society.
Education for global citizenship is not an additional subject – it's a framework for learning, reaching beyond College to the wider community. It can be promoted in class through the existing curriculum or through new initiatives and activities. Global citizenship is all about encouraging young people to develop the knowledge, skills and values they need to engage with the world. And it's about the belief that we can all make a difference.
OXFAM – a global citizen is someone who is aware of and understands the wider world – and their place in it. They take an active role in their community, and work and with others to make our planet more equal, fair and sustainable
Student Enterprise takes the student through the types of activities that are embedded into the curriculum at level 4-8. Enterprise is being embedded into the curriculum for students at each level. Further details to follow.
Students can expect to learn more on Enterprise within the Curricular based on the following:
Level 4 / 5
A suite of materials will be available for use within the individual Curricular. The student will be asked to complete a Level 4 Enterprise activity. For example, they may have the opportunity to undertake group activities in planning a Charity Event, Event promoting their subject area, or a theory business start up.
Industry guest speakers will also be invited to address the audience on Enterprise subject and skills.
Access to materials and support through external agencies such as Young Enterprise Scotland and Royal Bank of Scotland Dream Bigger.
Option to enter competitions.
Level 6 / 7
A suite of materials will be available for use within the individual Curricular. The student will be asked to complete a Level 6/7 Enterprise activity. For example, students will have the option of undertaking an informal Enterprise activity such as introduction of a new product or service, starting a theoretical business, or a Charitable Fundraising opportunity.
Industry guest speakers will also be invited to address the audience on various Enterprise subjects linking to the portfolio, whilst tailored to the area of study.
Level 6
Full time Students have an option to undertake the SCQF Level 6 Enterprise and Business National Progression Award by the Scottish Qualifications Authority. This portfolio of 5 modules takes you through the process of starting your own enterprise.
Industry guest speakers will also be invited to address the audience on various Enterprise subjects linking to the portfolio.
Level 8
A suite of materials will be available for use within the individual Curricular. The student will be asked to complete a Level 8 Enterprise activity. For example, students will have the option of undertaking an informal Enterprise activity such as introduction of a new product or service, starting a theoretical business, or a Charitable Fundraising opportunity.
Linkages will be introduced from external agencies such as Scottish Institute for Enterprise and Converge, both of which have competitions and support materials to assist students in their future Enterprising Career.
Industry speakers relevant to the individual subject and study area will be invited to address the students.
For our female Entrepreneurs, support may be available from Advancing Eve’s Female Entrepreneurial
Advancing Eve
Advancing Eve is a newly formed inspirational membership group aimed at female entrepreneurs. Offering support to women through networking meetings, training sessions, workshops to empower and support them to achieve their aspirations. If you would like to find out more about the support available from Advancing Eve visit www.advancingeve.com
Advancing Eve and Borders College are keen to encourage attendance from our students who are looking at options for enhancing their entrepreneurial career. Support may be available to current students wishing to attend the events.
Business Gateway
Business Gateway has offices located throughout Scotland and work with individuals who are looking to start their own business, or develop an existing business. All services are free with access to Adviser support as well as online workshops and a huge online information resource for new and existing businesses.
Converge
Converge is the only programme of its kind that brings together academic entrepreneurs from every university in Scotland. Our mission is to empower people to take their future into their own hands. We do this by providing intensive business training – tailored to academic entrepreneurs – a dynamic and supportive network and one to one guidance for staff, students and graduates.
RBS Back Her Business
Back Her Business lets you showcase your business ideas, and gives everyone the chance to back women-led businesses through crowdfunded donations.
But backing isn’t just about funding. It’s about believing in the person behind the idea. So through Back Her Business, we support women like you with coaching, mentoring and collaboration to help you succeed.
Scottish Institute of Enterprise (SIE)
SIE is funded by the Scottish Funding Council and Scottish Enterprise to help students in Scotland develop enterprise skills, discover their entrepreneurial talent and start up their own ventures. Students can find out about local and national competitions, discover enterprise events near them, contact a business advisor, and explore resources such as case studies, useful tools for developing ideas, and hundreds of avenues of support.
SIE help students in Scotland develop enterprise skills, discover their entrepreneurial talent and start up their own ventures (exact content/statement from SIE).
Women's Enterprise Scotland
Women's Enterprise Scotland, is a not for profit charity with the remit to equip women-owned businesses for success, develop their talents, nurture ideas, and create networks to further boost the Scottish economy. If you would like to find out more about the support available visit their website.
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Events at Borders college
Take a look at the range of planned events taking place at Borders College.