About the course:
Globally, nearly 1 in 4 young people are unemployed, not in school or training.*
Youth Workers, who are on the front lines working directly with youth, have been identified as lacking experience and skills to better support youth for workforce participation.
Throughout this MOOC, participants will learn about themselves, and how to guide others in pursuing their career paths. Content will cover the determining factors of successful businesses in Southern Africa, how to start a business, learn about small business innovation and marketing, and develop skills participants can use to support young entrepreneurs. The course will be facilitator-led.
Target Audience: The target participants for this MOOC are current and prospective Youth Workers working in sectors like government, youth-based organisations (e.g.,NGOs) or faith-based organisations (e.g., Churches). Participants will likely have some post-secondary experience and have a decent level of computer skills (i.e., web browsing, email, word processing).
Objectives & Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this MOOC, participants are expected to:
• Understand the processes involved in starting a small business;
• Create a practical and realistic business plan and a basic budget;
• Support youth as entrepreneurs with your knowledge and skills; and
• Develop knowledge and skills for youth to foster an entrepreneurial mindset and career vision
for success.
Course Units 1-6
Unit 1 – Introduction To Youth Entrepreneurship
Unit 2 – Starting A Small Business
Unit 3 – Creating A Business Plan
Unit 4 – Financial Literacy And Marketing
Unit 5 – Supporting Youth Entrepreneurs
Unit 6 – Consolidation & Summary
Course Highlights
By the end of the course students will have created a business plan through a step by step process they can then introduce to youth in their communities.
*Youth unemployment stats from United Nations Sustainable Development Goals #8 Decent Work and Economic Growth Report.