Swedish Enterprise Education
- sawing the seeds of enterprise, initiative and independence

Sawing the SEEDs…
The fundamental concept is that students are to be stimulated into working more independently and the central theme is the series of project work with Mentor Companies. Each company is to function as a mentor to two students for two years. Regular contact with the Mentor Company during this period is the core of the SEED-process. This is where theory meets practice and the students gain a better understanding as to why they need to learn the theoretical side.

By meeting the Mentor Company on a recurring basis the students gain insight into the important personal qualities of taking responsibility, planning, working with others and also get to know themselves. This knowledge would not be gained if they only encountered their companies on infrequent occasions. Everything is based on regular contact and as a product of this natural questions arise which students can then address during their theoretical work at school.

In this way the teacher’s role also becomes different: the challenge for those who work with the SFEE methods is to develop gradually the students ability to work independently and, at the same time, to reduce their control over all aspects of tuition. In other words they transfer some of their responsibility to the students. This is a gradual process spread over the whole of the time spent at the Upper Secondary School. It is a transformation which is not particularly simple for either teachers or students.

…and bringing in the harvest
A spirit of enterprise, initiative and independence is required everywhere, not just in private business. An enterprising approach is fundamental to the new culture of work presently evolving. All human beings are born with creative ability, natural curiosity and ingenuity. As SEED is designed to give students the chance and opportunity to develop their enterprising spirit the students develop these different aptitudes during the process.

The SEED-process helps the students to see themselves growing through the series of projects with the mentor company. When the students graduate they are well fit to face the challenges as employees, students in higher education or managers of their own companies. The process gives benefits to the school as well. Teachers get an opportunity to use the experiences of the students in their classes and the school becomes an integrated part of the local society.

The Mentor Companies are also positive to the effect on the young people they get the opportunity to meet during the process. They also say that this is an efficient way to cooperate with the local school. As the students are the ones in charge of the process and are setting the agenda for the meetings, the Mentor Company will have to spend a very limited time planning and preparing. Still they get the reward of seeing young people grow.

The Swedish Foundation for Enterprise Education

Learning process