The Framework for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Education is a direct update to the 2019 Framework which was a sector initiative developed in partnership with Enterprise Educators UK (EEUK), the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs (IOEE), the Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE), Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative (SFEDI) and the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA). It was originally intended as a resource to help institutions provide the appropriate activities and experiences so that students can identify what is involved in being enterprising and entrepreneurial, helping them to navigate their future careers.
The 2024 update acknowledges its roots, retaining much of the original Framework while introducing subtle yet significant changes. Notably, it now explicitly references the '3Es' - employability, enterprise, and entrepreneurship - a term coined in 2021 during the launch of the previous Framework's guide.
Despite appearing contradictory to maintain separate frameworks while emphasising the 3Es, the concept of 'umbrella terms' in the discourse of 3E education is pertinent. It underscores the need for the sector to redefine success under these overarching terms without overly prescriptive definitions. Rather than imposing a singular model, the approach encourages adaptation and thoughtful consideration of contextual relevance. While definitions are adopted for clarity, the Framework remains flexible, acknowledging the complexity of language and the multifaceted nature of student success. As asserted in 2022, these elements, albeit intertwined, collectively contribute to the essence of student achievement.
