TRADEMORE

Hayes P.O. Clarendon. Jamaica. Phone (876) 518-8108

Trademore offers an exciting incubator program for schools and youth organizations that combines practical experience with business theory. Trademore’s goal is to establish a School-based Enterprise by exposing students to international trade, entrepreneurship and information and communication technology.

A three-pronged strategy is used to achieve this goal:

1) Provide students with entrepreneurial, and information technology skills.

2) Establish a management partnership between the school and the private sector.

3) Link the program with a network of international partners.

1. Provide students with entrepreneurial and information and technology skills

Integrating entrepreneurship curricula and technology skills into youth programs requires an informed and supportive environment. Trademore’s model builds upon the knowledge of similar programs in Europe (they are called practice firms) and North America (they are called virtual enterprise) where students are exposed to running a business as part of their regular training.

2 Establish a volunteer management system

A volunteer management team made up of appropriate individuals will be responsible for introducing the program into the school or community, and to develop a strategic plan for its success.

3. Link with international partners

By linking the program with international partners, participating students gain international experience, to work with students from other cultures, allowing them to develop the various skills necessary for the globalized economy.

Trademore Incubator program is designed as an interactive multidisciplinary model which allows students to participate and apply relevant skills, using specific content and curriculum connections leading to a deeper understanding of key questions and concepts.

About US

Trademore is a virtual incubator service that provides opportunities for students to participate actively in a wide range of entrepreneurial experiences with local and international partners.

Students in the program learn firsthand about economic competitiveness through the formation of School-based Enterprises. The program enables students to learn the commercial and entrepreneurial skills required to set up a company, identify products, discover marketing opportunities, and then export products and services.

Trademore works closely with HEART/NTA to ensure that the program aligns with the National Vocational Qualification- Jamaica (NVQ-J) objectives.

Trademore is designed as an interactive multidisciplinary model which allows students to participate and apply relevant skills, using specific content and curriculum connections leading to a deeper understanding of key questions and concepts.

Objectives

Trademore’s mission is to make entrepreneurship and information and communication technology skills available to students regardless of their location.

Trademore’s main objectives are:

• To prepare students for survival in an economically diverse society

• To educate students with the potential for job creation and business development

• To empower all students to develop their skills and entrepreneurial attitudes.

• To give students an insight into the challenges and methods by which businesses are formed and managed

• To increase awareness and understanding of other cultures, citizens, and globalization.

• To promote modern technology within schools and emphasize the importance of information and communication technology (ICT) skills through the everyday use of on-line training materials, web cast and e-mail.

• To provide a practical learning context for teaching foreign language and business studies.

• To encourage parents and the business community to volunteer their services and become involved in supporting and working with local schools.

Time Scales

All participating schools/organizations should aim to start the program in September 2024 and cease operating by July 2024. Notification of partner’s details and personal passwords will be forwarded to the teacher/ coordinator at each school/organization on receipt of payment.

Once staff and students have become familiar with our Intranet site, they should make contact with their partner school/organization. Each company should allocate between one and four hours per week to spend on the program. During the first month, a student company should:

• Make contact with their partners and get to know some things about them. For example, names, ages, hobbies etc.

• Arrange a web conference with their partners to allow the participants to meet each other “face to face”.

• Make contact with local businesses that can give advice. Arrange for business people to come into the class and discuss their special field or go on visit to local manufacturers, retailers, suppliers etc.

• Start raising funds for the company by holding fundraising events, selling shares in the company or seeking sponsorship.

School Commitment

As the program involves a partnership, it is vital that participating schools and organizations make a commitment to work towards a successful outcome for all students involved. The following points cover some of the issues that must be address by participants:

Coordinators

A member of staff should always be available to assist the student company It is advisable for at least two members to be aware of the program and the company’s progress, in case of illness etc. As this is an entrepreneurial program the coordinator should act as a coach and facilitator to the company

Students

There are nine specified “directorial” positions in the SBE. Schools can run the company with between five and twenty students. Ten students would be an ideal number

Technology and Communication

All member companies must have e-mail and Internet access. Each company must be committed to communicating with their partner at least once per week.

All participating schools/organizations should aim to start the program in September 2024 and cease operating by July December 2014. Notification of partner’s details and personal passwords will be forwarded to the teacher/ coordinator at each school/organization on receipt of payment.