Education and skills development is the key to ensuring South Africa’s entrepreneurial success. Damelin offers an exciting range of training programmes which will equip the learner with the essential skills required to become a success story.
The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) is a not-for-profit academic research consortium that has as its goal making high quality international research data on entrepreneurial activity readily available to as wide an audience as possible. GEM is the largest single study of entrepreneurial activity in the world. Each year, they publish a report of their findings. Over the past few year, the results of this research show that South Africa’s position in the GEM rankings has deteriorated. This detailed report focused on trying to isolate the factors that have contributed to this decline. According to the research team, “‘one of the most important findings is that potential entrepreneurs lack the mindset and skills to become true entrepreneurs.” South Africa’s low rate of entrepreneurship then seems to be directly proportional to the education levels of South Africans. The GEM 2005 specifically states that “South African adults who do not have tertiary education are significantly less likely than their counterparts in other developing counties to be able to sustain an opportunity-motivated new business venture.”
It is becoming more obvious that education and skills development is of critical importance if we are to turn this picture around.
Melt van der Spuy, Director of Business Support, Business and Private Banking at Standard Bank believes education can play a key role in preparing the budding entrepreneur. Van der Spuy told bizcommunity.com in April 2007, that “aspirant entrepreneurs need to know certain essentials, such as how to write a business plan and how to present a budget before they succeed in obtaining backing.” But grasping these essentials is easier said than done. For this reason, Damelin has introduced a range of Entrepreneurial Skills Programmes designed to equip the aspiring entrepreneur with these essential skills. From identifying the business idea, drawing up your business plan and identifying the financial requirements of your start-up business to managing the finances and operations of your small business as well as going after tender opportunities, the various Damelin skills programmes can help build the bridge to a successful future.
The range of entrepreneurial programmes includes:
- Skills Programme in Entrepreneurship
- Skills Programme in New Venture Creation
- Skills Programme in Tender Process and Legal Aspects of a New Venture
- Skills Programme in Small Business Financial Management Part 1: Financial Techniques for Small Business
- Skills Programme in Small Business Financial Management Part 2: Computer Skills for Small Business
