The National Enterprise Academy, offering a qualification in enterprise to students aged 16-19, will be created in early 2009.

The Academy, which will initially receive £3-4 million in funding from the government, aims to raise awareness of enterprise across the population.

Gordon Brown said: "This is going to transform Britain over the next few years. We'll offer 16-19 year olds the chance to get better qualifications and we'll lead the way in broadcasting the message that young people can start businesses for the future."

Dragon's Den investor and entrepreneur, Peter Jones comments: "There is a stark difference in the entrepreneurial mindset between the UK and the US. Here, there tends to be a 'can I?' approach, whereas in the US the 'I can' belief is instilled from an early age. The National Enterprise Academy will be run by entrepreneurs and taught by entrepreneurs to hopefully create entrepreneurs. I think that's very exciting."

"If the UK economy is to continue to grow, we need to create the right learning environment for all our children, where their talents can be developed so they can go out into the workplace or business and prosper."