A Scottish enterprise expert says for the economy to succeed, NZ must instill an awareness of entrepreneurshipl at an early age, reports Jo-Marie Brown.
Attitude is everything when it comes to business and New Zealand does not have it, according to a visiting expert on entrepreneurship.
Gordon McVie, associate director for Scotland's National Centre: Education for Work and Enterprise, has been lecturing business groups and Government officials on how New Zealand can develop a more enterprising culture.
Research undertaken in 1993 showed that Scotland was under-performing in terms of new business start-ups relative to the rest of Britain.
Measures such as introducing enterprise programmes throughout Scotland's education system were then introduced to try and boost entrepreneurial activity.
Mr McVie said New Zealanders needed to change their attitude toward entrepreneurs if the economy was to prosper in the new millennium.
"Most people's perception of entrepreneurship is Del-boy in Only Fools and Horses. But entrepreneurs are a prerequisite for a vibrant economy," Mr McVie said.
"During the 20th century a mentality of employeeship has developed. But what happens when the jobs go?
"How can you create wealth if you don't have people with the vision, creativity and innovation to start up businesses? What we're trying to do in Scotland is prevent that spirit of enterprise from being extinguished totally."
Enterprise New Zealand Trust executive director Ken Baker believed New Zealand's education system was inhibiting entrepreneurial development.
"The system is more and more out of line with what's being required in a global economy where many of the jobs are transitory," Mr Baker said.
"We've been producing job seekers and have encouraged dependency.
"What we need are kids who are job creators and who are willing to set up businesses and be entrepreneurs."
Mr Baker believed concrete support was needed from the Government to encourage enterprise development in schools.
"The Government's pouring money into an education system that's not relevant to the future needs of young people and the next generation.
"The tax dollar will work much better if directed into enterprise education, Mr Baker said.
Mr McVie said Scotland's experience proved that enterprise activities could be embedded within the school curriculum.
"Currently there are 3000 undergraduates in Scotland enrolling for entrepreneurship electives as part of their mainstream degree."
A network of 44 business shops had also been established across Scotland to dispense advice on how to start up businesses.
"Information about people in business is the new hard currency," Mr McVie said.
"If it's a good business idea the entrepreneur will make it work. All they need is the support and the information to take it forward."
Vibrancy needs enterprise
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