The Raymond Ackerman Academy of Entrepreneurial Development based at the UCT Graduate School of Business is calling on Western Cape youth to apply to its next six-month programme due to kick off in January.

The academy, which was established in 2005, has given more than 250 young people an opportunity to gain valuable life and business skills. The programme is partly subsidised ? students pay only a small percentage of the full costs, and financial assistance is available.

The RAA is inspired and supported by of one of SA's most renowned entrepreneurs, Raymond Ackerman, and is also assisted by the City of Cape Town. Its key objectives are to impart business and life skills and to promote self-development among young people between the ages of 18-30 specifically from disadvantaged backgrounds in South Africa.

According to Raymond Ackerman, the academy's most significant purpose is to give people who have a desire for entrepreneurial advancement, but who lack the finances, the education or the skills, an opportunity for a first class education and training programme that will help them reach a level of potential for entrepreneurship which they can use in the real world.

Lectures from Raymond Ackerman himself

Director of the Academy, Elli Yiannakaris, agrees and said that the students who enter into the Academy are exposed to impressive resources in terms of the curriculum, the lectures (they receive some of the lectures from Raymond Ackerman himself) as well as the practical nature of the programme which allow them to successfully apply their knowledge once they leave the RAA.

"The way the programme has been created; with a dual focus to build entrepreneurial acumen and impart self confidence through practical tutorials is a key part of the philosophy behind the academy," said Yiannakaris.

According to Yiannakaris, this has been a winning formula since the inception of the RAA, with over 70 percent of the graduates finding full time employment, starting their own businesses or going on to further their education, but it hasn?t stopped them from trying to improve the programme.

Applying innovation to business

"A lot has changed since we started the Academy four years ago," she said. "We have analysed the successes of the programme (of which there has been many) but also found it necessary to make a few adjustments here and there in order to give the students all the tools necessary to go out and start their own businesses, thus we introduced two new components into our curriculum."

In early 2009 a computer training course was introduced and more recently they also started the Innovation Series Course which focuses on the teachings of innovation and applying innovation to business ideas.

Yiannakaris described the Academy as an intensive six-month modular programme.

"The RAA is a unique programme. It is quite intense because of the huge practical component and the fact that classes must be attended five days a week, but it is safe to say that the committed student who comes with the right mind-set and dedication will go on to achieve great things after completion of the RAA programme," she said.

The Academy is encouraging those who want to find out more or would like to apply for a place on the course, to contact the Director, Elli Yiannakaris on 021 406 1422 or visit www.ackermanacademy.co.za. The deadline for applications is 30 November 2009.