Entrepreneurship development training and lifelong learning

Abstract

This chapter discusses specific workshops that were held to build the entrepreneurial skills of the residents of D’kar and these include: Principles of Business Management; Records and Bookkeeping for Small Businesses; Customer Care and Marketing; Project Management. The chapter summarises the content of those workshops. The content of the workshops is useful in terms of not only providing practical business skills but also changing the mindset of the residents of D’kar. Lifelong learning is discussed as very important for development of an entrepreneurship mindset. It is not about having lots of money to start an enterprise but rather, how community members interested in starting up their own enterprises are groomed to be ready for running sustainable projects that give them a source of livelihood. The training session objectives were meant to share personal experiences, encourage participants to consider self-employment as an alternative career route, and to hi-light critical ‘non-technical’ skills of business management. The sessions were informed by the consultant’s use of practical exercises applied and theories related to entrepreneurships.