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Learning and the learning environment are powerful drivers for initiative and innovative thinking. Both within and beyond specific vocational pathways, employees and entrepreneurs now and in the future are those who can create, drive and implement ideas to enhance the economic and organisational performance of their business as well as contribute to the economic and social well being and development of their community. Further, the concept of career development, and its linkage with vocational education and training through collaborative learning partnerships, is particularly relevant to this philosophy and is reflected in current methodology being developed by Douglas Mawson Institute of Technology (DMIT TAFESA) in Adelaide, South Australia. Working in partnership with local small business, DMIT is trialling an integrated enterprise learning model to provide a bridge between the simulated environment of Practice Firms to the real world of Business Incubators. This has been driven by both the need for expanded learning options and pathways to employment for young people and by a desire to better contribute to community capacity building. Although this project has initially targeted the youth market, the model is transferable to a range of other target groups within both urban and regional communities as a 'social inclusion' strategy. Known as the PortAbility Project, it is providing an opportunity for small groups of certificate and diploma students to experience an environment where support is specifically business focussed and learning/assessment from their specific vocational training is aligned to the business activities they undertake. This link with business enterprise establishes real and interactive business links, as well as developing greater business understanding, providing students with a new 'career' option to consider - that of pursuing their own business ideas and dreams. Through a closer working relationship with networked business and community structures, students are learning to develop community relationships as well as have the confidence to step outside the comfort zone of their learning environment or place of employment. The benefits to the individual, business and the community can ultimately help to revitalise or reinvigorate a community through entrepreneurship in a variety of forms. Feedback to date indicates that learning partnerships have the potential to develop the small business sector, particularly as it introduces young people to the concept of business ownership. The PortAbility model is generating considerable interest in national and international forums. The value of real business mentoring provided through the local business incubator manager adds value to and complements both the vocational and generic/employability skills being developed and assessed by DMIT staff. The further development of this integrated learning model is continuing in 2004.