The Linkage Model - an Entrepreneurship Training Approach
Abstract:
The Linkage Model, an innovative entrepreneurship training approach developed jointly by Bow Valley College (Canada) and Mupfure College (Zimbabwe) is a "made in Africa" response to an identified vocational training need. The Model prepares learners for the reality of self-employment by teaching them to be entrepreneurs, to be effective problem solvers, decision makers and critical thinkers. The Model also assumes not everyone can or will be self-employed. Skills learned through the Linkage Model allow learners to be problem solvers within the workplace. The Linkage Model integrates training addressing technical, small business management, and workplace-oriented literacy/numeracy skills. It uses a project-based approach, one that incorporates a five phase design/problem-solving matrix: All training is delivered in a "real world" context, which means that no project is executed without actual customers and that design specifications, costing and pricing, production planning and quality control are an integral part of the product generating process. The Model is now being used in several training centers across Zimbabwe as well as in South Africa and Zambia. Since it is inexpensive to implement and well suited to both full-length programs and short course training, it has proven popular.
Presenters:
Pat Salt
Anna Kae Todd
Pat Salt is the Coordinator of Special Projects at Bow Valley College. In this capacity, she manages the Entrepreneurial Skills Promotion project in Zimbabwe, develops and delivers training curriculum especially in the workplace essential skills area, works as an essential skills profiler, edits and writes manuals for national firms, and develops project ideas and proposals for her College. In Pat's other life, she coordinates a western Canadian workplace essential skills group, organizes workforce literacy conferences and writes proposals. Pat lived in the former Czechoslovakia for 2 ½ years teaching English and establishing new testing procedures. Before joining Bow Valley, Pat taught high school English for 14 years.
Anna Kae Todd, Vice President, Learning, Bow Valley College (Bachelor of Arts; Graduate Diploma, Learning Technology; Master of Arts, Language and Learning Theory) has over twenty years experience in secondary and post-secondary teaching and senior administration. She has published a number of articles and given national and international presentations on Learning and Teaching, and Leadership Technology Integration, in Adult Education. As Past President of the Canadian Vocational Association (CVA), Chair of the Calgary Learning Centre (Calgary Society for Students with Learning Difficulties) and board member of NALD, Anna Kae Todd is a strong advocate of the reciprocal benefits of literacy, vocational education and workplace partnerships.