The globally acclaimed KidsMBA programme has finally arrived in Singapore, and just in time for the school holidays too. We take a closer look at what makes this an excellent entrepreneurship programme for teens.
Pursuing a MBA may not be something that every teen would have in their future plans. Nor would parents expect that of their kids, especially if they’re not thinking of a career in business or finance. As such, it may come as a surprise to some that there’s a MBA programme designed specially for teens, and is lauded by Forbes as a “leading global programme” for youths.
This programme, called KidsMBA, is an intensive course that’s based on the actual postgraduate degree. It’s an internationally recognised programme (taught in over 30 countries!) in entrepreneurship education, an area of learning that many educators now believe is essential for secondary school students. It’s even been adopted into the main curriculum of Year 8 students at Gresham’s School, one of the top thirty International Baccalaureate (IB) schools in England.
So, what is it that makes KidsMBA one of the world’s top entrepreneurship programmes for kids? What do teens learn from it, and how will it help them in school and beyond? Here’s what we know.
1. The KidsMBA course is professionally endorsed and produced by an expert panel.
Here’s an educational programme that’s been painstakingly put together by some of the top minds from various disciplines. KidsMBA is the brainchild of Professor Mark Watson-Gandy, an insolvency barrister who also wrote the first Masters Programme in Corporate Finance Law. Aside from his professional knowledge, the programme includes input from experts in law, education, banking, and accountancy, as well as entrepreneurs. It’s also endorsed by ABE, an international awarding organisation that’s regulated and based in the UK. All participants will receive an ABE-endorsed KidsMBA certificate at the end of the course, and they’ll automatically be part of the international KidsMBA schools too!
2. It teaches teens everything about starting and running a business.
Discovering their distinctive selling points, mastering customer service, and embracing corporate responsibility are just a few areas that the KidsMBA program will delve into. The course is intentionally designed to give teens a real-world taste of what it’s like to own a business. It doesn’t just teach teens how to come up with innovative business ideas, but how to run them sustainably, as well as how to bring about positive change in the environment and communities they operate in.
3. Teens will pick up entrepreneurial skills, which will also benefit them in the workforce.
Having entrepreneurial skills like time management, leadership, risk-taking, and networking don’t just make you a successful entrepreneur, they’re essential to help you stand out in university applications and the job market too. In fact, a recent report also states that possessing these skills could significantly reduce the risk of unemployment in a teen’s future. This is why Professor Watson-Grady believes every child should learn these skills before they leave school. Teens will pick these up throughout the KidsMBA course, which includes modules like communication and networking, leadership and operational plan, and more.
4. They’ll gain essential life skills through the KidsMBA too!
Operating a business requires you to problem-solve, think critically, and work with others. Teens will be developing these skills during the KidsMBA programme as well, not just through the modules but also in the final pitching showcase. There’ll be group discussions and role play opportunities, where they get to communicate and collaborate with peers. Most importantly, teens will be learning a great deal about financial literacy – a crucial aspect to running a business, which also helps our teens make better personal financial decisions.
5. Your teen could be Singapore’s first Future Entrepreneur of the Year!
The winner of every KidsMBA course’s pitching showcase will automatically get the chance to enter the international Future Entrepreneur of the Year competition. Teens will be pitching their business ideas to business leaders from around the world, giving them a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn from these experts too. And that’s not all, the Future Entrepreneur of the Year will bring home USD1,000 to start their proposed business, and can even add this title to their CVs.
Exciting news: the KidsMBA programme is now available in Singapore!
Want your teen to be part of this amazing global programme? Registrations for the first KidsMBA programme in Singapore is now open for teens aged 11-15 years old. It’ll be held in Westbourne College Singapore, located strategically in River Valley, from 29 July till 2 August with limited spots for 40 students only. This is the sister school of one of the top IB schools in the world, with an emphasis in IGCSE, IB Diploma Programme, business, and STEM. The school features future-focused classrooms that simulate professional working environments too, making it the perfect place for your teens to be picking up entrepreneurial skills!
Last but not least, KidsMBA students will be learning from Dr. Damla Khan, a neuroscientist and entrepreneur who’s also a passionate advocate for education. She’s also the co-founder and CEO of a digital health startup – that means your child will be learning from someone with field experience!
Register for your teen’s spot right now.
This post is in partnership with Brainsteins.
