Practice-based learning in entrepreneurship education: A means of connecting knowledge producers and users

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to propose a practice-based entrepreneurship education programme which enhances collaboration between educational institutions and the small business community as a means of producing a more employable, well rounded and skilled graduates. Design/methodology/approach - A case description of the business consulting programme operated at the University of Limerick. Findings - The findings highlight how a practice-based learning module brings real business learning into the classroom and simultaneously attends to the needs of different internal and external stakeholders by producing a more flexible and employable professional graduate. Furthermore, it creates a more meaningful relationship between education institutions (knowledge producers) and industry (knowledge users). Research limitations/implications - Educators need to evaluate the benefits of practice-based learning programmes from the external stakeholder perspective as a basis of identifying more innovative practice-based learning options. Originality/value - The paper draws attention to the need for, and suggestions on how educational institutions can be more outward focussed and responsive to the needs of industry when designing educational programmes.