ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on certain education and training aspects of the promotion of high quality entrepreneurship in the Republic of Ireland. An examination of the entrepreneurs’ education characteristics gives two pieces of information. It identifies the likely pool of potential entrepreneurs and, relative to some objective view of desirable characteristics, it identifies possible skills gaps. Ninety seven entrepreneurs were associated with the 45 enterprises/firms. A notable feature was ventures with more than one entrepreneur were the most prevalent in the 45 new firms. An entrepreneur can of course acquire business skills and knowledge from work experience, management training courses and/or professional bodies. Enterprise preparation programme was introduced in October 1992. The programme might encourage a greater response from the target group of potential entrepreneurs and it is hoped would make potential entrepreneurs more likely to succeed. Preliminary evaluation of the participants reactions to the programme have been very favourable.
