The Practice Enterprise Network was established in 1993 in Essen, Germany as a European Union funded project. Since 1997, the network has been run by the non-profit association PEN Worldwide (formerly EUROPEN-PEN International). The aim of the international network is to help education and training organisations in participating countries to deliver training in business and entrepreneurship skills through the unique Practice Enterprise methodology ‘learning-by-doing’.
Today, PEN Worldwide administers an international network of over 7,000 Practice Enterprises (PEs) in schools, universities, vocational training institutions, companies and training centres in more than 40 countries around the world. Over 200,000 trainees train in PEs each year. There are Central Offices in each country that administer the national Practice Enterprises.
Through their membership in PEN Worldwide, Central Offices from member countries exchange best practices, maintain international contacts to support international commerce and trading, as well as hold trainee and trainer exchanges.
The concept is developed by PEN Worldwide in partnership with the national Central Offices and with local education and training institutions in participating countries. A national Central Office is established in each participating country to examine the needs of the local environment and create a tailored plan for the delivery of the concept. In addition, it adapts the curriculum to meet the national education standards in terms of competences. Training is also adapted to suit the different target groups according to age, social and educational background and best practices to constantly improve the concept are shared within the international network.
