Virtual Enterprise

The Swanlea Virtual Enterprise is a new initiative to support students working towards the BTEC National in Business
Studies (equivalent to 3 A levels).

Swanlea are setting up a new 'virtual' enterprise which will trade with other virtual companies on the global Europen virtual network (Europen).

EUROPEN

The founder members of EUROPEN were educational institutions from the following countries: Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, Spain and Switzerland. Additional members of EUROPEN are: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Brasil, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Japan, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovac Republic, Slovenia, South Afica, Ukraine, USA.

Countries involved in EUROPEN

EUROPEN is the world-wide practice firm (Virtual Enterprises) network. The network consists of 5000 practice firms. Forty-two countries are involved in the EUROPEN association.

History of EUROPEN

EUROPEN started as a European Project in November 1993. Since then it has spread to a global network involving schools and colleges across the globe.

The history of teaching students through virtual enterprises can be traced back to the 17th century, for example Mr. Karl F. Barth wrote the following in 1776: "The teacher lets them choose a sort of action and a trading location....; each one receives fictitious capital, goods or securities...

Swanlea Strategy

At Swanlea, our students are setting up a company which will initially sell Stakeholder Pensions. We are being supported by our company sponsors Merrill Lynch and Royal Bank of Scotland / NatWest in creating our Virtual Enterprise. Merrill Lynch work with a number of virtual enterprises in the USA and have an annual competition for the best enterprises ( http://www.ml.com/philanthropy/ ).

In the UK, the centre of competence for Virtual Enterprise is Coleg Morgannwg ( www.morgannwg.ac.uk )in South Wales, and we are working closely with staff at the college who have been very helpful.

Over the next few months we will be writing a BLOG on this site which will give details of progress and helpful hints for other schools and colleges so watch this space!