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Entrepreneurship for Canadians represents one of the largest co-operative education projects ever undertaken in Canada involving the federal government, provincial/territorial governments, and the private sector. The project materials, developed in both official languages, have been distributed to all Canadian high schools.

CFEE takes a broad approach to entrepreneurship education recognizing that entrepreneurial characteristics, skills, and processes can be applied to all kinds of endeavours — not just business ventures. This series consists of six half-hour video programs and an accompanying User's Guide.

The six videos try to "energize" students, spark their interest, and create a desire to learn more.

The programs are as follows:

• Program #1, Catching the Spirit, introduces the concept of entrepreneurship and the characteristics of entrepreneurs. This program demonstrates how entrepreneurs create and thrive in change and how, through their efforts, technological, economic, and social progress evolve.

• Program #2, Developing the Skills, focuses upon the "skills" required for effective entrepreneurship and the fact that many of these skills can be learned/developed. It stresses the key skill of team building and the fact that entrepreneurs usually require a supportive, talented team to achieve success.

• Program #3, Recognizing the Opportunities, clearly demonstrates the difference between an entrepreneurial opportunity and an entrepreneurial idea. Most entrepreneurs begin with the identification of an opportunity, clearly define the opportunity, and then try to generate a specific idea in response to it.

• Program #4, Ideas and Innovations, focuses upon ideas and the importance of linking them to an opportunity. By looking at two specific opportunities, (a) the increased general concern for the environment and (b) the fact that things get dirty and need to be cleaned, this program illustrates the importance of developing good ideas, assessing ideas, and ensuring the ideas are linked to an opportunity.

• Program #5, Planning for Success, looks at potential problems that can arise for entrepreneurs and strategies for avoiding or dealing with such problems. This program includes a detailed outline of how all dimensions of a venture will function. Planning for Success emphasizes the importance of keeping a venture under control at all times.

• Program #6, It's Up To You, summarizes the characteristics and skills of entrepreneurship and emphasizes that entrepreneurship really comes down to the individual. A quick review of the series should lead viewers to reflect on what has been said and whether or not entrepreneurship is for them.

The 188-page User's Guide includes student materials, background information, teaching strategies, activity sheets, a bibliography, and a guide to community networking.

Partners: Federal Government: Government of Canada, Canadian Studies Directorate, Department of the Secretary of State of Canada; Industry, Science and Technology Canada Provincial Government: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency; British Columbia Ministry of Regional and Economic Development; New Brunswick Department of Commerce and Technology, New Brunswick Department of Education; Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Development; Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Education; Nova Scotia Community College; Nova Scotia Department of Education; Nova Scotia Small Business Development; Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities; Prince Edward Island Department of Education; Prince Edward Island Department of Industry; Saskatchewan Education Corporations: Alcan Aluminium Limited; Hees International Bancorp Inc., Canadian Bankers Association; Canadian Pacific Limited; KPMG Peat Marwick Thorne; The Jim Pattison Group; Canadian Airlines International; Apple Canada Inc.; Bramalea Limited; Magna International Inc.; Manulife Financial; Northern Telecom Limited; The Great-West Life Assurance Company; Komatsu Canada; Bratty and Partners; John Labatt Limited; Trizec Corporation Ltd.; Hiram Walker Allied Vintners; Xerox Canada Inc.; TransAlta Utilities; Coscan; Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts; Purolator Courier; Imperial Oil Limited; B.C. Pacific Capital Corporation; Brascan Ltd.; Cineplex Odeon Corporation; Cominco Ltd.; Lawson, Lundell, Lawson & McIntosh; Alvin & Mona Libin Foundation; Sceptre Resources Limited