If the UK economy is to become a world leader in business, we need to create the right learning environment for all our children, where their talents can be developed so they can go out into the workplace or business and prosper. Entrepreneur Peter Jones

Entrepreneur and 'Dragon's Den' judge Peter Jones has launched a new National Enterprise Academy, dedicated to unlocking entrepreneurial talent among teenagers from all educational backgrounds.

The doors to the National Enterprise Academy (NEA) will officially open to its first 16-plus students from September 2009 - after the completely new course in entrepreneurship has been rigorously tested, including being put through its paces with a test group of students early next year.
The NEA's mission, according to Jones, is to be a catalyst for cultural change in the UK that encourages and stimulates more entrepreneurial activity - as well as providing young people with the skills and confidence to aim higher and be more successful in relation to enterprise in the workplace or starting their own businesses.

The plan has been welcomed by the Prime Minister Gordon Brown and is one of the priority stated aims set out in the Government's new Enterprise Strategy. The set up and running costs of the NEA in its first three years are estimated to be in the region of GBP8million, to be funded through an initial capital investment from Government of between GBP3-to-GBP4million, with the remainder coming from Peter Jones through his charitable foundation and other sources.

John Hutton, Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform added his support and said: "I want the UK to be the most enterprising economy in the world - and to achieve that we must unlock this country's talent. With Peter Jones' backing and experience, this National Enterprise Academy will bring the right qualifications and skills to the UK's next generation of business leaders and entrepreneurs.

"Britain is already one of the best places in the world to start and grow a business. But we need to do more if we're catch up with the levels of entrepreneurship in the US. And that's why tomorrow we will unveil our new Enterprise Strategy setting out what Government and business can do over the next 10 years to boost the culture of enterprise in the UK."

Peter Jones said: "There is a stark difference in the entrepreneurial mindset between the UK and the US. Here, there tends to be a 'can I?' approach, whereas in the US the 'I can' belief is instilled from an early age. If the UK economy is to become a world leader in business, we need to create the right learning environment for all our children, where their talents can be developed so they can go out into the workplace or business and prosper.

"I am delighted to have achieved such strong support for my academy and I applaud and appreciate the Prime Minister Gordon Brown's personal interest and action in helping me get it off the ground."