Young people learn to be social entrepreneurs

Students of the world’s first Social Enterprise Qualification (SEQ) have started to address social and environmental issues in their local communities following the launch of SEQ in January 2012. Catch22’s Positive Futures project based in London is training schools, youth workers and also adult training providers to deliver the Social Enterprise Qualification (SEQ). The SEQ students will set up businesses that directly address, or generate income to relieve, social and environmental issues that affect our communities.

Social Enterprises are businesses set up to tackle environmental or social issues. From charity auctions to fair trade companies, there are thousands of Social Enterprises in the UK working to make people’s lives better, and tackle environmental problems.
 

Real experience of making money and a difference to communities

Through taking part in Social Enterprise Qualification (SEQ), young people gain real experience of making money, organising events and building management skills, all the time considering how what they do can make a real difference to the communities around them. Similarly, adults taking part in SEQ can set up businesses stimulating the local economy, whilst making positive social or environmental change.

Camilla Smith from Catch22 says, ‘We are delighted to be the first organisation in the London region offering training to schools, youth groups and adult training providers to deliver SEQ at their setting. SEQ is a way for people to be recognised for the socially entrepreneurial activity many of them are already engaged in, and also to develop a new generation of social entrepreneurs.’

SEQ can be taken at Bronze and Silver levels, which are a level 2 award and certificate respectively on the Qualifications Credit Framework. SEQ will challenge students to demonstrate they understand what social enterprise and ethical trading are about, enabling them to develop real new products or services within their school, community or wider marketplace.

SEQ offers a recognisable benchmark backed and informed by successful Social Enterprises so that students can directly learn the skills that potential employers are looking for.