The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) is a cutting edge, world recognised, youth entrepreneurship education and development programme.  It is managed and provided by Foróige in Ireland and is affiliated to NFTE International, based in New York.  The NFTE programme originated in the USA and was brought to Ireland in 2004.

 

NFTE is committed to changing the lives of young people in disadvantaged communities by enabling them to develop core skills in business and enterprise, and in doing so helping them to unlock their individual talents and potential. NFTE operate in-school and out-of-school programmes, both of which have been shown to be successful in building self-confidence and interpersonal skills in young people as well as increasing school completion and college attendance rates.

Involvement in the NFTE programme has been shown to improve business, academic and life skills of young people.

 

NFTE’s core objectives are to:

• Enable young people to reach their full potential
• Build self confidence and interpersonal skills
• Increase school completion, college attendance and career aspirations
• Develop young people’s interest in business to become future entrepreneurs 
• Enable young people to have a real-life business learning experience

 

The NFTE programme – how does it work?

The NFTE Programme works with local partners to identify suitable sites for implementation. When a site has been identified, (secondary school or a Foróige Youth Service or Project), a Teacher, Youth Worker or Trainer commits to attend NFTE University.

 

 NFTE University is an intensive training programme that works through all aspects of the NFTE curriculum with the teacher, youth worker or trainer that equips them to deliver the programme. On successful completion of NFTE University they become a Certified Entrepreneurship Trainer (CET).

 

As part of the NFTE programme young people study all aspects of starting and successfully running a business.

 

The 40 hour long curriculum includes:

• Idea Generation & Feasibility
• Goal Setting
• Sales & Customer Service Skills
• Marketing & Advertising
• Financial Management & Book Keeping
• Presentation & Communication Skills
• Business Etiquette & Social Responsibility

 

NFTE participants are required to develop a business plan and set up a real business during the programme, supported and encouraged by their CET. NFTE participants get the chance to meet local entrepreneurs, receive mentoring from business people and sell their products or services at wholesale and retail sales events.

 

Each participant presents their business plan and sales results to date, as part of a Youth Entrepreneurship Awards initiative. During this programme, as well as technical business skills such as marketing, pricing and planning, the participants develop much stronger self confidence and interpersonal skills.  This opens up opportunities, enhances their life skills and makes them more employable.

 

Business Volunteer Programme

The aim of the Business Volunteer Programme is to present young people with a multi-faceted perspective to entrepreneurship training. Schools and youth centres partner with the business community to help develop young people’s knowledge and experience with the business world.

 

There are many way in which businesses can get involved: guest speaking in a school/youth centre, mentoring young people and helping them complete their business plans,  hosting a site visit in the office, hosting a trade fair in the place of work, judging in NFTE’s business plan competitions.

 

Contact Details:

Ph: +353 1 7007439                          Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Web: www.nfte.ie                             Fax: +353 1 7007434