Social Enterprise 101 serves as a crucial platform for exploring the dynamic field of social enterprises, where profit-making is seamlessly intertwined with the advancement of societal and environmental well-being. Equipping students with the tools to navigate this multifaceted landscape, this micro-credential nurtures innovative thinking and problem-solving skills. By instilling principles of social entrepreneurship and ethical business practices, this micro-credential empowers students to become responsible leaders, capable of creating businesses that make a positive impact on society while meeting the increasing demand for products and services that align with ethical and sustainable values.
Students will explore the business potential of their own social enterprises (or social enterprise ideas) learning how to combine purpose and profit with today's global challenges. This micro-credential nurtures innovative thinking and problem-solving skills, critical for addressing pressing global challenges such as climate change, inequality, and financial literacy. Tools and techniques for purpose-driven business planning will be introduced. Topics include business models, business strategy case studies, developing markets, budgeting, decision making, business trends, risk analysis, operating systems, finance, and legal issues. Students will use this information to understand if and how their idea could become a viable business and create a detailed business plan.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Apply Innovative Thinking: Cultivate students' innovative thinking and problem-solving skills, enabling them to develop creative solutions to complex societal and environmental challenges.
- Formulate Ethical Business Practices: Instill ethical business practices, transparency, and accountability in students, emphasizing the importance of responsible capitalism and ethical entrepreneurship.
- Develop Responsible Leadership: Empower students to look at their intrinsic motivation to become responsible and socially conscious leaders, capable of driving positive change.
- Specify Market Opportunities and Client Journeys: Equip students with the knowledge and skills to identify and capitalize on market opportunities for products and services that align with ethical and sustainable values.
- Practice Interdisciplinary Learning: Promote interdisciplinary learning by drawing from various fields such as business, social sciences, and environmental studies, encouraging students to think holistically and work collaboratively.
- Manage Growth and Change: Highlight the role of social enterprise in supporting economic growth, job creation, and community development, preparing students to manage and pivot in the changing world.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Instructors assess the student’s work and issue a pass or fail grade (student must receive a passing grade to qualify for the micro-credential).
- Students must submit the online micro-credential request form along with the administrative fee to obtain the micro-credential and digital badge.
Earning Your Micro-credential Badge
As part of the modules in each micro-credential, you will complete assignments and exercises outlined in each micro-credential. These build towards the required evidence for each micro-credential that is submitted at the end of the micro-credential modules.
Successfully demonstrated application the key outcomes as part of the required evidencing will be recognized with a digital badge for the specific micro-credential. A link to the badge will be sent via email that can be added to resumes and posted on social media platforms.
What is a micro-credential?
Micro-credential is a new model that uses short, focused credentials to verify mastery of a skill or competency, and is designed to target high-demand skills, leading to faster hiring.
The process offers a digital credential, which is the official certification of the acquisition of an individual’s skills or capabilities. It is awarded in a digital form, which is verified, secure and shareable with peers, employers and educational providers.
Why micro-credentials now?
Micro-credentials can be used to recognize both vertical and transversal skills. Coupled with the in-depth learning obtained in a field of study, micro-credentials can be used to present a more holistic view of an individual’s abilities and achievements.
In today’s fast-changing workforce and emerging gig economy, a nimble recognition system is essential for both professionals and employers, who are increasingly moving towards skill or competency-based hiring.
To learn more about micro-credentials, please visit the eCampusOntario website.