Young Enterprise Scotland Strategy 2023-26

YOUNG ENTERPRISE SCOTLAND

Organisational Strategy 2023-26

A word from our CEO Hello, and welcome to Young Enterprise Scotland’s organisational strategy for the next three years. We have taken time to reflect on our journey so far, the challenges we have faced and all that has been achieved.

We are reaching more young people and educators than ever, but there is much more to do.

We are an ambitious team; the instinct is always to drive forward, to do more. Our plan for the next three years reflects this, but it also encourages us to remember the fundamental priorities that make Young Enterprise Scotland an organisation we can all be proud of.

Our people, our programmes and our impact create the framework for our strategy and are the basis for the operational objectives that every one of us will work to.

We know that if we are to educate and have lasting impact, we must also always be learning. We are proud to say that learning is part of our organisational culture, it makes us curious and willing to explore.

In our work, as in life, we can't achieve our ambitions in isolation. So we welcome friends, partners, supporters and collaborators to join us as we journey into the next three years.

We have never been more committed to our guiding principle of ‘Enterprise for All’ and the huge impact an enterprising mindset can have for young people of all ages.

Thank you, Emma Soanes

Welcome to our strategic plan 2023-26 We have produced this strategy to give us a shared sense of purpose, direction and priorities for the next three years.

We are bold and ambitious for the future; collectively to maximise our impact for all young people in Scotland and individually to understand our place in the organisation and the value of our contribution.

@YE_Scotland @YoungEnterpriseScotland @YEScotland @YoungEnterpriseScotland

Our Vision To lead learning in enterprise and entrepreneurship across Scotland, encouraging every young person to succeed and achieve a rewarding future in life and work.

Our Mission To inspire and empower young people in Scotland to learn, develop and succeed through enterprise and financial education.

Our Values Our Values are our guiding principles, underpinning everything we do.

We will continue to set the highest possible standards while being innovative in our approach. As we continue develop what we offer and grow our reach across Scotland, we will ensure that all our activities are fit to meet our Mission to, ‘inspire and empower young people in Scotland learn, develop and succeed through enterprise and financial education,' and adhere to our guiding principle of 'learning by doing.'

Integrity We are inclusive, respectful and we do what’s right, not what’s easy.

We are unwavering in our commitment to fairness and equality and hold ourselves fully accountable to our people and our communities.

Enthusiasm We are energised by inspiring others through our passion and determination to make a lasting impact. Our ambitious and positive approach motivates and encourages those around us.

Innovation We are creative and bold; always learning and always evolving. We are solutions focused and willing to take risks. We are not afraid to ask what if....?

Collaboration We are passionate in our desire to connect with other inspiring people and organisations. We thrive on the strength of collective experience and believe that great things happen when people work together.

Our top three strategic aims Creating our strategic aims follows a period of reflection and consultation. We have listened to the voices of everyone across the organisation and those that we work closely with.

Our strategy is built around three key focus areas:

People and Quality This reflects our priority to retain and build on our Platinum Investors In People accreditation, to be an employer of choice, to deliver programmes to the highest standards by the best people and be a great place to work.

Growth and Capacity This reflects our ambition to increase our reach and levels of engagement, to responsibly manage our growth and to be bold and creative in developing our portfolio of programmes and projects.

Influence and Impact This reflects our willingness to use what we have learned to positively impact all young people and those who support and teach them. This means creating opportunities to share insights, shape policy, and work collaboratively with strategic partners.

Developing our aims People and Quality We believe that a great organisation is the sum of its parts and that our people make Young Enterprise Scotland all that it is. We are committed to the ongoing support, learning, and professional development of every member of our team so they can be the best at what they do.

To this end, we will:

Invest in the best quality support and training of all our people Provide ongoing opportunities for continued learning across multiple sectors and subjects - upholding out commitment to ‘learning by doing’ Ensure platforms for everyone to contribute to organisational plans and developments Support everyone’s individual development journey, making the most of their particular skills and attributes Take an innovative and progressive approach to reward and recognition Recognise, share and celebrate individua; and collective achievements Role model the high standards of quality and professionalism we expect from others

Growth and Capacity We want to be able to say yes to every school and college in Scotland; to reach and respond to every young person.

This is a fundamental part of upholding our ‘Enterprise For All’ commitment.

To this end, we will:

Commit to an ambitious and sustainable income strategy, recognising that funding certainty supports ambition and growth Continually review and improve our programmes and content Improve inclusivity and accessibility so that all learners and young people can benefit Nurture collaborations with like-minded organisations and businesses across all sectors Be bold and innovative in piloting new ideas and approaches Commit to improving access for educators and young people in rural and remote parts of Scotland

Influence and Impact We will work in partnership to shape policy development, education reform and national strategy for the benefit of every young person in Scotland.

To this end, we will:

Work with all of our stakeholders to share our learning and expertise Invest further in capturing evidence and impact, from early years to entrepreneurship Maximising impact through short and longer term collaborations Undertake and publish research to support our recommendations and encourage discussion Contributing to a thriving Entrepreneurial eco-system in Scotland Work more closely with the business and investment communities in Scotland to share learning and plan ahead Be supportive allies for educators in Scotland Use our voice as an authority in enterprise and financial education, and entrepreneurship for the benefit of young people in Scotland.

Support us in maximising our impact for all young people in Scotland.

Our work is supported by volunteers, collaborators and partners. If you would like to sponsor us, support us, volunteer with us, or just find out more about what we do, please get in touch.

Find out more about different volunteering oportunities we can offer, and learn more about our range of programmes.

Keep in touch: @YE_Scotland @YoungEnterpriseScotland @YEScotland @YoungEnterpriseScotland