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Welcome
Entrepreneurial activity is already taking place across Scotland's colleges, often through problem solving, creativity, collaboration, industry engagement and community-focused activity. The challenge often, is not introducing entrepreneurship, but making these opportunities more visible, connected and intentional.Developed through a Scottish Government-funded programme, this resource brings together the practical learning, insights and materials created through an eight-month pilot, led by Interface and built on the activity and experiences of five Entrepreneurs in Residence working across 13 colleges. The Playbook shares approaches, case studies and implementation guidance, while the accompanying Toolkit provides adaptable resources that can be used across a range of curriculum, student experience and staff development settings.
Whether you are a college leader, lecturer, curriculum manager, Entrepreneur in Residence or enterprise lead, these resources are designed to help develop entrepreneurial mindsets, strengthen innovation and employer engagement, and create more opportunities for learners, staff and communities.
Using this Resource
This resource consists of a Playbook and accompanying Toolkit, which can be accessed in several ways depending on your needs:a) Download the Playbook: The Playbook can be downloaded in full as a PDF, bringing together all sections in one place. It provides extensive practical guidance, additional context, mini case studies and signposts to relevant resources within the Toolkit. PDF of playbook available to download on this page
b) Access the Toolkit Resources Directly: The Toolkit contains a range of downloadable templates, workshop materials, curriculum resources, staff development guides and tools developed through the programme. Resources can be accessed individually, making it easy to select and adapt materials that best suit your role, priorities and stage of development.
Next steps
Whether you are exploring new ways to develop entrepreneurial mindsets, adapting materials for your own curriculum, strengthening employer engagement, or building on activity already taking place, we encourage you to use, test and tailor these resources to suit your local context.The materials included here were developed and refined through collaboration with colleges, staff, students and Entrepreneurs in Residence. As they continue to be applied in different settings, there is significant opportunity to learn from new approaches, adaptations and outcomes.
If you would like to explore how the resources can be deployed within your college, learn more about the approaches featured in the programme, connect with the creators of specific materials, or share feedback and examples from your own delivery, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Contact: info@interface-online.org.uk
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Developing an Entrepreneurial Mindset – Practitioner Playbook
Opening future pathways by building confidence, creativity and opportunity awarenessThis Playbook and associated Toolkit are created by a Scottish Government–funded initiative delivered by Interface and Connect-Ed to support the implementation of the Entrepreneurial Campus Blueprint across Scotland’s college sector.
With thanks to Entrepreneurs in Residence: Bayile Adeoti, Marisa Giannasi, Lee-Anne Gillie, Prof. Kirsty Thomson-Gillespie and Wendy White-Finnegan.
If you would like to explore how the resources can be deployed within your college, learn more about the approaches featured in the programme, connect with the creators of specific materials, or share feedback and examples from your own delivery, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Contact: info@interface-online.org.uk -
Taken together, the four projects form a coherent developmental pathway:
Project Area Recruiting & Embedding an EiR Practical Teaching & Learning Resources Inclusive Entrepreneurial Learning Internal Engagement & Hidden Entrepreneurship Primary Focus
Institutional readiness and strategic alignment
Curriculum and learner experience
Accessibility and engagement
Culture and organisational development
Outcome Capacity building Entrepreneurial mindset development Wider participation Sustainable entrepreneurship ecosystem 
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This suite helps colleges understand their current entrepreneurial landscape and recruit an Entrepreneur in Residence who aligns with their context, priorities and learners.Resources included:College Entrepreneurship Capacity Baseline AssessmentCollege Enterprise Personas and Ecosystem ProfilesEntrepreneur-in-Residence Recruitment FrameworkDiagnostic tool to map:- Existing enterprise activity
- Learner demographics
- Partnerships
- Curriculum strengths
- Opportunities and barriers
- Categorises colleges into six ecosystem types.
- Helps identify suitable entrepreneurial approaches and partnership models.
- Recruitment criteria
- EiR profiles
- Interview questions
- Assessment dimensions
- College personas matched with EiR characteristics
What this provides: This project effectively acts as an entrepreneurship strategy and implementation toolkit.
It helps colleges answer:
- Where are we now?
- What type of entrepreneurial activity suits our context?
- What kind of Entrepreneur in Residence would have the greatest impact?
- How can we recruit effectively?
Potential uses:
Strategic PlanningDeveloping Business CasesWorkforce and Partnership DevelopmentRecruitmentUse the Baseline Assessment during annual planning or curriculum review.Provide evidence for investment in enterprise education, employability initiatives or EiR programmes.Use the Ecosystem Profiles to identify:
- Appropriate industry partners
- Local economic opportunities
- Community collaborations
Apply the Recruitment Framework when recruiting:
- Entrepreneurs in Residence
- Innovation Champions
- External mentors
- Employer partners
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Recruiting and Embedding an Entrepreneur in Residence (documents)
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This section focuses on embedding entrepreneurial mindsets directly into learning and teaching. It includes three significant curriculum programmes plus a staff development programme.Calibrate your compass: A curriculum resource that integrates entrepreneurial thinking into the Qualifications Scotland Personal Development: Self-Awareness unit (SCQF Levels 5 and 6).Resources IncludedWhat it providesSuggested Uses- Lecturer Guidance Pack
- Student Journal Template
- Curriculum Mapping Matrix
- FAQs
- Supporting unit specifications
- Meta-skills Framework resources
Through project-based learning and practical activities students explore:- Self-awareness
- Innovation
- Customer needs
- Idea development
- Value creation
- Pitching
- Reflection
- Personal Development units
- Induction programmes
- Employability modules
- Curriculum enhancement activities
- Cross-college enterprise programmes
- Foundation Apprenticeships
Meta-Preneur/ Think differently: A six-session programme focused on developing the Skills Development Scotland Meta-Skills Framework through practical challenges and community engagement.
Resources IncludedWhat it providesSuggested Uses- Session plansLearner materials
- Evaluation tools
- Delivery overview
- Community Challenge implementation guide
Through real-world challenges develops:
- Confidence
- Creativity
- Adaptability
- Problem-solving
- Team working
- Community engagement
- Vocational programmes
- Construction
- Care
- Hospitality
- Engineering
- Supported learning
- Employability pathways
Eco-preneur pathways/ Construction Crafts MA: A targeted curriculum enhancement resource for Construction Crafts Modern Apprenticeships.
Resources IncludedWhat it providesSuggested Uses- Lecturer guidance
- Practical learning activities
- Construction-focused sustainability and AI discussions
Connect to existing vocational content:- Entrepreneurship
- Net Zero
- AI
- Sustainability
- Industry innovation
Useful as:
- Enrichment delivery
- Sustainability curriculum enhancement
- Future workforce skills development
Could also serve as a model for adapting similar resources for:
- Engineering
- Automotive
- Construction Management
- Built Environment
Eco-preneur pathways/ Train the trainer: A 28-hour professional learning programme for college staff.
Resources IncludedWhat it providesSuggested Uses- Delivery guide
- Session materials
- Facilitator resources
- Playbooks
- Activities and tools
Builds staff capacity in the following, while creating internal champions:- Entrepreneurial mindset
- Creativity
- Critical thinking
- Collaboration
- Classroom application
- Professional Learning programmes
- Learning & Teaching Academies
- Curriculum innovation initiatives
- Communities of Practice
- Internal entrepreneurship networks
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Impact Case Study: The Student in a Suit
A powerful example of a mindset shift in real time, moving from disengagement to confidence, ownership and entrepreneurial thinking within a single session.
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This collection focuses on making entrepreneurship accessible and relevant to diverse learners.Resources included:Learner Personas & Inclusive Delivery GuideEnterprise Language Made SimpleOne Hour AI: Ideas, You & AI WorkshopStudent Start-Up Competition FrameworkHelps staff understand:
- Different learner motivations
- Barriers
- Strengths
- Engagement approaches
A glossary translating:
- Enterprise terminology
- Innovation concepts
- Meta-skills language
Includes:
- Slide deck
- Prompt library
- Facilitation guide
- Sector examples
Includes:
- Competition planning resources
- Pitch templates
- Judging frameworks
- Feedback tools
- Learner guidance
What this provides: This section acts as an engagement and accessibility layer that helps colleges widen participation in entrepreneurial activity.
Potential uses:
Supporting Diverse LearnersRaising EngagementDeveloping Progression PathwaysUse the Personas and Language Guide when adapting enterprise activities for:
- Supported learning
- ESOL
- Adult learners
- Learners with additional support needs
Run One Hour AI during:
- Freshers' week
- Enterprise Week
- Careers events
- Cross-college innovation days
Use the Start-Up Competition Framework as a stepping stone into:
- Enterprise projects
- Incubation programmes
- Employer challenges
- Innovation events
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Impact Case Study: Seeing Beyond the Salon
An example of how connecting entrepreneurial learning to learners' vocational identities, industry role models and real career pathways can increase engagement, confidence and participation.
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This section focuses on revealing and connecting entrepreneurial activity that is already happening within colleges.Resource included:Entrepreneurial Activity Mapping SurveyDesigned to:
- Identify enterprise activity
- Surface good practice
- Gather success stories
- Understand barriers
- Inform future development
What this provides: Many colleges already undertake entrepreneurship-related work but do not recognise it as such.
This resource helps colleges:
- Discover existing strengths
- Connect isolated activity
- Build a shared narrative
- Identify gaps and opportunities
Potential uses:
Discovery ExerciseStrategic PlanningCulture ChangeEvidence GatheringRun as part of:
- Self-evaluation
- Quality enhancement
- Curriculum review
Use findings to inform:
- Entrepreneurship strategies
- Employability plans
- Innovation frameworks
Create visibility around hidden entrepreneurial practice and celebrate staff innovation.Useful for:
- College audits
- Funding applications
- Impact reporting
- Employer engagement strategies
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Impact Case Study: Winning Hearts and Minds
Demonstrates how early engagement, visibility and shared ownership create the conditions for participation and long-term commitment.
