Real work in the 16‐19 curriculum: AVCE business and Young Enterprise

It is considered that work related learning involves learning through work; learning about work; and learning for work. This paper examines the importance of work related learning for business students in the 16‐19 curriculum and how this can be integrated into an Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education (AVCE) business programme via the Young Enterprise (YE) scheme. It presents findings from a small research study, which indicates that YE can enhance learning about business within a realistic scenario. YE can be integrated into an AVCE programme in business and can effectively achieve a number of the aims of such programmes. It concludes that virtual reality work within the curriculum is possible. In this respect, such a model provides a challenge for the way vocational business courses are delivered.