Entrepreneurial training curriculum assessment : the case of new venture creation learnerships

Abstract

This paper joins the debate about how best to assess entrepreneurial training interventions, using a case-study. Contextual secondary literature about the structure and content of such interventions is briefly reviewed. Based on this review, a framework is developed and applied to the Provincial Skills Development Pilot Project's current New Venture Creation Learnership programme. This in-depth case study uses an evaluation instrument based on the entrepreneurial assessment model proposed by Pretorius (2001: 264). Results show that the chosen programme exhibits certain limitations, which restricts its success in developing entrepreneurs in line with the National Skills Development Strategy. However, the programme possesses many strengths and its limitations are easily remedied. The proposed assessment method successfully identifies the strengths and weaknesses of the programme.