Colleges in NC to join entrepreneurship competition

THE ALLAN Gray Makers Programme is a South African initiative funded by Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropy South Africa and has partnered with Future Managers to roll out an Entrepreneurship InterCollege Competition aimed at the TVET College Sector.

The programme is supported by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and SACPO and aims to provide transferable entrepreneurial skills and support to youths who are pursuing or trained in a technical or vocational trade, encouraging them to choose entrepreneurship as a career option.

One of the main objectives is to increase the number of responsible entrepreneurs who are dedicated to conceptualising and building sustainable, responsible businesses in various technical or vocational trades.

The programme seeks to add value to society by creating more employment opportunities, providing value-adding products and services as well as meaningful participation in growing the economy.

The Entrepreneurship Inter-College aims to empower TVET student entrepreneurs (studentpreneurs), from the 50 TVET Colleges in South Africa, including those in the Northern Cape, to create a culture of entrepreneurship while studying.

It also aims to expose TVET students to entrepreneurship as a career choice. Participants are invited to submit their innovative business ideas or businesses in one of four categories:

• I have a Business Idea;

• I have an Artisan Business;

• I have a Tech Business; and

• I have a General Business.

The purpose of the Entrepreneurship Inter-College is to identify studentpreneurs nationally, by providing a platform for them to pitch their innovative ideas or existing businesses to a panel of expert judges, and to invite investment into their businesses.

This platform will provide a safe space to experiment with ideas for products or services, especially beneficial to students who intend to pursue innovation, product development and business-oriented careers.

The practical experience of developing and pitching a business case for products or services and receiving expert feedback will facilitate entrepreneurial learning for all participating students.

Additionally, this process will allow the TVET colleges to showcase their talent on a regional level and demonstrate how they are able to catalyse a culture of entrepreneurship across disciplines and support the next generation of business leaders.

The Entrepreneurship Inter-College is open to all eligible students of the 50 public TVET colleges located in South Africa. Students across all disciplines of qualifications may enter the competition.

As a lead-up to the national competition, a regional competition will be hosted. The colleges in the Western and Northern Cape welcome the opportunity to collaborate with partners in making the Entrepreneurship Inter-College Western and Northern Cape Regional round a success.

Colleges participating in the regional round are: Boland TVET College, College of Cape Town TVET College, False Bay TVET College, Northern Cape Rural TVET College, Northern Cape Urban TVET College, Northlink TVET College, South Cape TVET College and West Coast TVET College.

The organisers of the programme have asked for the following support:

• Pitch readiness training for College’s who request assistance at a regional level;

• Access to grant programmes for qualifying businesses (providing of information during the competition);

• Business Management Training or Mentorship for regional winners;

• The total budget for the event is estimated at R112 240. An amount of R50 000 has been secured towards hosting the event. Included in the total cost of the event the region wants to reward the participants and winners with total prizes valued at R70 000,. These prizes can be capital contributions for business development, investment or in kind

For more information contact Nico Zeelie, Fundraising Co-ordinator, on e-mail Nico.Zeelie@northlink.co.za or on 072 248 0268.