School Business Laboratories

One goal of the Young Americas Business Trust is to attract funding for pilot projects initiated by the OAS so they can be adapted in other countries. Thus, we seek support for a successful educational project promoted by the YABT, the School Business Lab in Trinidad and Tobago. OAS cooperation with the Ministry of Education there helped establish the Business and Economic Education for Entrepreneur Development Program in March 1993.

The School Business Lab combines secondary school academic and classroom technical education, including academic business courses, with "real world, hands-on" business experience, much as a science lab does. As a result of the OAS project, from 1995 to 1998, 9,822 students / adolescents had participated in a Business Lab in their secondary school and 1,400 took part in post primary classes. In the primary school program, 9,267 were exposed to economic education, through cooperation with Junior Achievement. Teachers / principals trained through the project totaled 338. Technical, industrial arts, and vocational classes in entrepreneurship enrolled an additional 3,350 students and trained 105 teachers. A total of 190 mentors / "consultants" assisted the classes.

A recent report to the OAS by the Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Education concluded that basic program objectives were being met in 80% of the schools, but expansion hinges on developing a more standardized model. Additionally, the labs need computers and Internet access to give a stronger technological focus, improved training materials, and emphasis on management practices of the student-managed businesses.

Business labs serve as a primary reference model for the YABT because they generate student interest in business through practical experiences and can work in both formal education and non-formal skills training settings. The model also has the flexibility needed for other countries to successfully adapt it into their current curricula. To replicate this in other countries and communities, the Young Americas Business Trust seeks donor funding for startup costs to:

1. Evaluate / refine the concepts with the preparation of high-quality staff training and technical assistance materials to replicate the Trinidad & Tobago model in additional countries.
2. Organize regional training seminars in Trinidad and Tobago for teachers, with follow-up national seminars in interested countries to assist them with their own localized version.
3. Create a technical cooperation network for the business labs at the YABT's Ybiz.net Internet site to link schools, programs, mentors, and young people in business through technology.
4. Provide additional business training materials and technology resources to upgrade the School Business Lab program in Trinidad and Tobago as a regional training site for this project,
5. Plan at least four pilot sites in other countries (one in each sub-region) as pilots in 2001,
6. Assist the YABT in preparing longer-range strategic plans for school business labs and community youth business resource centers in the Americas and the Caribbean.

Startup funds are sought for the first year for the following costs: documentation, short-term trainers, program staff, preparation and purchase of training materials, regional and national workshop costs, contracts for up-grading the website, travel for planning and evaluation, and project operating expenses. In the second year, additional resources from a variety of sources would startup the pilot sites in the new countries following the planning and training phase.

The YABT offers the advantage of directing donor funds substantially to program activities because the Organization of American States contributes to YABT overhead through management staff, facilities, and communications costs. In addition, we have a wide network of national programs and experienced professionals that are experienced in this field.

Persistent poverty remains the central challenge to future economic growth and social stability in the Hemisphere; entrepreneurial education is key to a future that generates opportunities for young people. School Business Labs can make a difference in educational programs that will positively affect the lives of enterprising young people and their communities for years to come.

For more information, contact:
Roy L. Thomasson, Chief Executive Officer, Young Americas Business Trust