THE need to shift our mentality from aspiring to work as employees to owning a business is the advocacy of the Go Negosyo campaign.

Now, the youth sector is encouraged to go into business through the series of seminars called Teen Negosyo.

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The Youth Entrepreneurship and Cooperativism in Schools (Yecs) Program held its fourth Yecs Entrepreneurship Training and Conference at the Teacher's Camp.

The training now themed "Teen NeGOsyo University: We're in Business (How to Go Negosyo)," five-day training, from July 26 to 31, is attended by about 1,300 high school participants nationwide.

Teen Negosyo supports the Yecs Program in promoting and teaching entrepreneurial skills to the youth.

"We educate our children to work for others and we need to shift from that mentality," said Joey Pelaez, executive director of Center for

Students and Co-Curricular Affairs of the Department of Education (DepEd-CSCA). And in the process of changing the mindsets, the educators must be also included.

"This edition which we dubbed Teen NeGOsyo University, the only university in high school, is our way to underscore the importance and urgency of entrepreneurship among our young in the country," Pelaez said.

But the event does not mean they encourage the young to not go to college. Executive Director Ramon Lopez of Go Negosyo/RFM Corporation said the purpose of the conference is to assess the interests of their participants.

"Entrepreneurship is a career they can engage with in the future," Pelaez added.

Aside from inspiring the youth to have their own business, the Teen Negosyo also aims to empower and educate the youth as they want to pursue in the business industry.

When asked about the legalities in establishing a business, since the would-be business owners are the youth, Department of Trade and Industry Representative Beth Manuel said they first have to register their business.

"Business is the one being legalized, not the owner," Manuel said.

In putting up a business, the business name, logo, and packaging must be considered because it will affect the marketing of the product.

Lopez also added that the business name must be patented in order to protect the name.

The Teen Negosyo campaign has encouraged a lot of young people to go into business. The Negosyo Summit also encourages the local government units to participate in the campaign.