Examining the Views of Unemployed Commercial Subject Educators on Their Preparedness to Become Entrepreneurs.

Abstract

This study sought to establish the views of unemployed commercial subject educators on their preparedness to become entrepreneurs.  The study was motivated by the fact that some of these educators have been exposed to entrepreneurship since they were in grade 7 through a subject such as Economic and Management Sciences. It is assumed that after graduation they have a good understanding of entrepreneurship, and they would be able to start their businesses instead of remaining at home unemployed. Only unemployed commercial subject educators were interviewed. Snowballing sampling was used to locate prospective participants since they were scattered all over South Africa. All the study participants were based in KwaZulu Natal Province. The study found that educators of commercial subjects have sufficient theoretical knowledge to become entrepreneurs, but they are afraid to venture into businesses because they feel that theoretical knowledge without practical experience will adversely impact their ability to become successful entrepreneurs. They are doubtful regarding their ability to use their theoretical knowledge to solve problems in real-life situations. The contribution of this study provides insight on the importance of students’ practical exposure to real life entrepreneurship for boosting their confidence to start businesses.  The study ascertains that an entrepreneurial mindset, attitude, spirit and self-efficacy, without exposure to practical entrepreneurship, does not provide sufficient incentive for a person to start a business.