Learning for14 year olds or learning from 14 year olds?

CMI has a new initiative this year call Campus CMI http://www.managers.org.uk/campuscmi 

 The idea is that we need to help prepare young people for the working world by teaching them the management, leadership and workplace skills that will boost career opportunities and develop the skills that employers want to see in new recruits.  It is open to young people aged 14-21 while they are still in education.   Some people may feel this is a bit ambitious.  How many school kids can really benefit from developing management skills?  Only time will tell, but we can at least say that during the two year trial period when the Campus was being developed 4,100 student members have completed a basic qualification.

Another perspective is provided by a book that passed my desk Superbusiness:  how I started SuperJam from my Gran’s Kitchen by Fraser Doherty which is one of the new entrants for the Innovation & Entrepreneurship category of CMI Management Book of the Year we are running in partnership with the British Library http://yearbook.managers.org.uk/  What makes him interesting is that he started his business at age 14 and by age 21 (i.e. almost exactly the demographic of Campus CMI) he has a product that is sold at Waitrose, Wal-Mart and Asda.  Of course he is very much the exception that proves the rule, but at a more modest level he illustrates the point that youth should not, in itself disqualify someone.  And as for the book itself it is actually rather good as a short introduction to setting up a business – clear, straightforward and well written.  Worth a look, whatever your age. 

Clearly Fraser Doherty is an exceptional person.  What is your experience, how many young people are out there who could benefit from management training?

And don’t forget to check out the other entrants for the Innovation & Entrepreneurship category at http://yearbook.managers.org.uk/