Press Release: 10 January 2012
Students of the world’s first Social Enterprise Qualification (SEQ) will be addressing social and environmental issues in our local communities from January 2012. CapeUK will be training schools, youth workers and also adult training providers across Yorkshire and Humber, to deliver the Social Enterprise Qualification (SEQ). The SEQ students will set up businesses that directly address, or generate income to relieve, social and environmental issues that affect our communities.
Social Enterprises are businesses set up to tackle environmental or social issues. From charity auctions to fair trade companies, there are thousands of Social Enterprises in the UK working to make people’s lives better, and tackle environmental problems.
Through taking part in Social Enterprise Qualification (SEQ), young people gain real experience of making money, organising events and building management skills, all the time considering how what they do can make a real difference to the communities around them. Similarly, adults taking part in SEQ can set up businesses stimulating the local economy, whilst making postive social or environmental change.
Ginny Scholey from CapeUK, SEQ Training Provider says, “We are delighted to be the first organisation in our region offering training to schools, youth groups and adult training providers to deliver SEQ in their setting. SEQ is a way for people to be recognised for the socially entrepreneurial activity many of them are already engaged in, and also to develop a new generation of social entreprenuers.”
“CapeUK are commitment to social enterprise principals, operating in a way that creates positive social change, we do this through leading and partnering with programmes that priorities the right for every child and young person to experience and develop their own channels for creativity (be it through the arts and/or social engagement) which will lead them into being proactive young adults in the future.”
SEQ can be taken at Bronze and Silver levels, which are a level 2 award and certificate respectivley on the the Qualifications Credit Framework. SEQ will challenge students to demonstrate they understand what social enterprise and ethical trading are about, enabling them to develop real new products or services within their school, community or wider marketplace.
SEQ offers a recognisable benchmark backed and informed by successful Social Enterprises so that students can directly learn the skills that potential employers are looking for.
Further training opportunities will be available across the region. For more information please call CapeUK on 0845 450 3700, or visit: http://www.capeuk.org/current-work/programmes/social-enterprise-qualification
COMING SOON: In March 2012, CapeUK will be hosting a Yorkshire Social Enterprise Qualification (SEQ) Conference - more details will be on our website shortly, in the meantime if you would like to register your interest please e-mail dan@capeuk.org
Mentor Training Dates 2012 - 23rd February, 10am - 5pm, Meanwood Farm, Leeds or 26th March, 10am – 5pm, Priory Street Centre, York - The course costs £150+VAT, please check the Mentor spec before you apply (all info on this webpage: http://seq.realideas.org/buy-seq/book-seq-mentor-training)
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Notes to Editors
For more information please contact Jo Jessop, Communications Manager, CapeUK on 0845 450 3700 or jo.jessop@capeuk.org
Social Enterprise Qualification: Real Ideas Organisation has developed a new Social Enterprise Qualification (SEQ) to accredit and encourage people working for positive social change. To achieve the qualification, learners will demonstrate they understand what social enterprise and ethical trading are about, and will develop real new products or services within their school, community or wider marketplace. The qualification will be offered at bronze, silver and silver top-up, linked to the Qualifications Credit Framework in the UK. This structure may need adapting for other countries. www.realideas.org/socialenterprisequalification.
The Real Ideas Organisation works with communities and young people to make real change happen through social enterprise. It offers services and products to schools, local authorities, government departments and national partners which create real and lasting improvement. www.realideas.org
CapeUK is the local SEQ Training Provider delivering training to schools, youth group and adult training providers so that they can in turn deliver the Social Enterprise Qualification with students. CapeUK also works to improve the lives of children and young people, putting creativity at the centre of learning and development. Working with schools, youth and community organisations, universities, the cultural and creative sector and other agencies, CapeUK offers a range of programmes exploring and promoting creativity, learning and development.
