Challenges and Perspectives Facing the Development of Entrepreneurship Education and Training in Cameroon

Abstract

Purpose – The study investigates some of the interventions which have been introduced by the Cameroonian government to support entrepreneurship and job creation and explore the challenges these interventions face, namely policy development, operational and pedagogic impediments.

Design/methodology/approach – The approach used to collect data was twofold; first desk research was conducted on selected work in the area of entrepreneurial education and training. The second source of information was from empirical investigations on the impact made by the various structures in supporting small, medium and micro enterprises (SME) levy payers in skills development.

Findings – The study found that there are no inter-disciplinary approaches in entrepreneurship training; that make entrepreneurship education accessible to all Cameroonians, and where appropriate creating teams for the development and exploitation of business ideas. Another finding is the fact that students from business to engineering studies are not connected, while entrepreneurship courses are just for business students.

Originality/value – This study has explored the nature of entrepreneurial education development through well designed entrepreneurial development efforts. An appropriate scheme in terms of cultivating an entrepreneurial spirit around training and concentrating efforts on supporting the growth of new ventures is suggested.

Limitations – The concept of entrepreneurship is not mastered; and there is a large confusion between entrepreneurship and small business management; while the first creates job, the latter is self centered on the founder of the business.

Keywords: Youth, Entrepreneurship Education, Employment, Cameroon, Research