CEPOR
Projects
Promoting Entrepreneurial Skills in Vocational Schools: Preparation for the Labour Market (donor European Commission CARDS 2003)
Purpose of the Project
It is the experience of developed and dynamic economies that entrepreneurship does not only generate new and successful companies, but that the entrepreneurial spirit is essential for the ability of a democratic society to change as a whole. Entrepreneurially oriented individuals think about using new opportunities and combining resources (human and material) in new ways. In short, entrepreneurial spirit is building the future. Because of its heritage and current economic situation, Croatia gives very little attention and space to individuals with entrepreneurial spirit. Even less attention is given to the development of the entrepreneurial spirit within the formal education system, although children at a young age should systematically receive the basis for development of their entrepreneurial abilities within their upbringing and education.
It is especially important to prepare the youth who are attending vocational schools for entrepreneurial activity, once they enter the labour market. Analyses show that majority of entrepreneurs (see presentation) have vocational education. They haven't received appropriate training for entrepreneurship during their formal education. Therefore, in their entrepreneurial activity, they are not prepared for market competition conditions, market analysis, role of marketing and brand development. Because of that, they are in a weaker competitive position from the very start.
Aim of the Project
To develop the capacity for introduction of entrepreneurial curriculum in vocational schools. New capacities will enable teachers to teach entrepreneurship in a way that builds and strengthens students' entrepreneurial abilities. The project will have achieved its goal if the methods and manner of implementation of the curriculum empower and train the youth to comprehend the world as a set of opportunities that allows realization of one's interests, ideas and aspirations. Besides that, they will be given specific instruments that will help them in their endeavours: they will be acquainted with the business of a small enterprise, its environment and the mechanisms for development of an entrepreneurial venture, from the idea to the market.
Project Activities
During the project period, selected teachers will go through several phases of training. They are:
- Adopting entrepreneurial worldview, skills and knowledge
- Developing participative pedagogical skills, aim of which is to strengthen and develop students' creativity and abilities
- Independent development of entrepreneurial curriculum
- Training teachers for IT-supported management of students' enterprises
- Generating student interest in entrepreneurship
- Implementing entrepreneurial curriculum within out-of-school activities
- Equipping computer classrooms
Project Participants
- Vocational schools:
- School of Economics Bjelovar
- School of Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts Bjelovar
- Trade School Bjelovar
- Commercial School Bjelovar
- Technical School Bjelovar
- Business Administration School Čakovec
- School of Construction Čakovec
- Institutions – partners in local development
- City Council of the City of Bjelovar
- Croatian Chamber of Economy – Bjelovar County Chamber
- Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts - Bjelovar County Chamber
- Croatian Employment Office – District Service Bjelovar
- Business Park Bjelovar
- Croatian Chamber of Economy – Međimurje County Chamber
- Open University Čakovec
- REDEA - Regional Development Agency Čakovec
- J.J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, faculty of Economics in Osijek
- Trained teachers
- Equipped 30-seat computer classrooms in Bjelovar and Čakovec
- Completed entrepreneurial curriculum, produced in cooperation with local partners
- Completed campaign for popularization of the program in schools
- Completed preparations for implementation of the curriculum in the 2007/2008 school year
Organization Responsible for the Project: CEPOR
Contractors:
Center for Entrepreneurship, Osijek
Burza Bjelovar
Forum for Freedom in Education, Zagreb
Jane Cotton, entrepreneurial curriculum development expert
Durham University, United Kingdom
CEPOR
Expected Project Results:
A coordination meeting between project educators with the purpose of unifying and agreeing on the whole of the educational part of the project was held on June 9, 2006. Meeting was attended by representatives of the Center for Entrepreneurship Osijek, Burza from Bjelovar, School of Economics Bjelovar, and the Forum for Freedom in Education from Zagreb.
Presentation (pdf, 246Kb)
On June 20, 2006, a preparatory meeting of representatives of vocational schools from Čakovec – Business Administration School and School of Construction was held. According to mutual agreement, interviews with all teachers who are interested in participation in project activities will follow.