Entrepreneurship competence in vocational education and training in Europe: synthesis report

This study offers evidence for policy makers, social partners, [vocational education and training] VET providers and researchers on how entrepreneurship competence is embedded in VET across Europe, including challenges and opportunities. Two main research questions guided the study: (a) How do entrepreneurial learning ecosystems support embedding entrepreneurship competence in VET in Europe? (b) What policies, methods, tools, and approaches are most effective for embedding entrepreneurship competence in VET? The research comprised the development of methodology, literature and policy...  [+] Show more

This study offers evidence for policy makers, social partners, [vocational education and training] VET providers and researchers on how entrepreneurship competence is embedded in VET across Europe, including challenges and opportunities. Two main research questions guided the study: (a) How do entrepreneurial learning ecosystems support embedding entrepreneurship competence in VET in Europe? (b) What policies, methods, tools, and approaches are most effective for embedding entrepreneurship competence in VET? The research comprised the development of methodology, literature and policy review, and field research in Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Latvia, Austria, Finland and Sweden, including VET stakeholders and 48 VET providers.

The study has identified five main challenges in embedding entrepreneurship competence in VET across Europe. They include conceptualisation of entrepreneurship competence comprising different interpretations; the curriculum approach with conflicting options of dedicated modules/subjects and the cross-curricular approach; a gap between the intention to deliver entrepreneurship competence as a broad transversal skill and narrow actions at provider level; the taken-for-granted link between entrepreneurship competence development and employability; and the need for more evidence-based policy. The study also proposes several actionable solutions for the challenges identified.

Excerpt from publication.