This project deals with the identification proffessionals working in the area of supporting business and cooperation between enterprises and institutions of vocational education and training. The priority of the project WOBUVET (WOrker in the area of supporting BUsiness and cooperation between enterprises and institutions of Vocational Education and Training) is to develop the skills and qualifications of staff working in the chambers of commerce - in the area business support and co-operation between enterprises and institutions of vocational education and training. The institutions involved in this project are interested to understand how in their areas to establish a solid and stable cooperation between educational institutions and businesses - enterprises (especially small and medium-sized = SME). Interconnect theoretical learning with practice in order to better employability of graduates, young people in the labor market and also inculcate entrepreneurship as a career option for them (young people). This project builds on the conclusions of the European Commission in 2010 in support of an entrepreneurial mindset (thinking). Sense of initiative and entrepreneurship refers to the European Parliament and the Council as one of the key competencies that must be incorporated into all stages of vocational education and training. Entrepreneurial skills are important for everyone, helping young people to be more creative and confident in everything they do. Generally, it is believed that in the field of entrepreneurial thinking there are many gaps. Still there is the fact that business associations not sufficiently support partnerships between businesses and schools vocational education and training. Business associations little motivate entrepreneurs to participate in entrepreneurial education. There is still a small representation of small and medium-sized enterprises in cooperation with educational institutions. Vocational Schools little combine practical training in specific fields of education, particularly in specific fields of education focusing on entrepreneurship and do not provide enough support for students who are interested to establish a business. Vocational schools provide little access to experts (from businesses, business associations and non-governmental organizations) who are able to provide training and ongoing support.One of the measures that the European Commission has recommended is to support the non-profit and non-governmental organizations whose purpose is to support and provide business education, and which act as intermediaries between vocational schools and enterprises.Organizations that are interested in this project fulfills the role as intermediaries between educational institutions and businesses. The interest of these organizations is to pass on their experience, improve the quality of their role, that their workers intensively and professionally helped to cooperation between educational institutions and businesses, especially small and medium-sized, which have a lot to offer, but they do not know how to cooperate, communicate with schools.This project is carried out internationally, because in some European Union countries (such as France, Italy) have a more sophisticated system, actively supported entrepreneurship and cooperation between educational institutions and businesses. This project was also carried out internationally because it would allow the creation of a European network of professionals, workers chambers of commerce working in the area of supporting business and cooperation between enterprises and institutions of vocational education and training. These experts (professionals) will be in contact and will have the opportunity to exchange experience.
The initiator of the WOBUVET project was the Regional Chamber of Commerce of Central Bohemia which addressed partners in foreign countries and asked if they would be interested to cooperate in this topic and would like to be inspired by the activities of the Chambers of Commerce abroad. Since the aim was to compare the Chambers' work in cooperation with educational institutions, it was a good decision to invite at least one school which could share the point of view of educational institutions. It was decided to choose the collaboration with a school which already proved its ability to cooperate. The school SPŠ E. Kolbena Rakovník decided to join the project for several reasons. The school was interested in the cooperation between Chambers and educational institutions in foreign countries. Other topic was how the cooperation between schools and communication with the Chamber of Commerce is taking place in a particular country. Concerning the selection of other partners, several countries were addressed - Poland, Romania and it was also decided to invite one country where the membership of companies in the Chamber of Commerce is mandatory - therefore Austria and Italy were addressed. At the end Romania - CAMERA DE COMERT SI INDUSTRIE PRAHOVA and Italy - CAMERA DI COMMERCIO DI FERMO joined. There were 4 subjects involved in total. The aim of the project was to establish the cooperation with the involved institutions from different countries, to get acquainted with the work of individual organizations in the sense of cooperation with the educational institutions. One of the other goals was to verify the methods of cooperation, get familiar with country-specific employment promotion projects and to improve approach of the workers of the employers of Chambers of Commerce. The main objective is to gain new experiences that will help to improve the quality of cooperation between the Chamber and the educational institutions. It is also important to establish a closer relationship with employers in each country and region, transfer information about their business and offers in their country and deepen the cooperation of entrepreneurs in individual countries. The establishment of communication and cooperation was directed mainly at small and medium-sized enterprises. Only one of the partner organization, SPŠ E. Kolbena Rakovník, had extensive experience in using and participating in the Erasmus + project. Other organizations did not have any previous experience of joining the Erasmus + project, however they have experience of joining EU projects. The Regional Chamber of Commerce of Central Bohemia is organization, established by Act No. 301/1992 Coll. The Regional Chamber of Commerce of Central Bohemia deals with development and support of human potential and enterprises, mediates information between employers and the government body. Among other things, it supports professional education and forms of retraining and moreover it helps to deals with specific social context - the issue of unemployment. Chamber of Commerce of Central Bohemia due to its activities and mission work for many years as an organization promoting partnerships between businesses and schools, vocational education and training. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry Prahova has been established by Government Decree in 1990. Since December 2000, Prahova Chamber has a modern, new headquarters, built by its own efforts and starting with December 2007, its activity runs according to the low of the Romania’s Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Low 335/2007). The Chamber of Commerce and Industry Prahova is a non-governmental organization of public utility. The Chamber supports the local business community, especially its members in their relations with the internal authorities and the specialized organizations from abroad. The Chamber of Commerce of Fermo manages a territory with a strong specialization in shoe production: the footwear district of Fermo, which also comprises part of the territory of Macerata Province, represents the largest concentration of shoe companies in the Italian territory. Among its tasks, the Chamber a lot of efforts in supporting business innovation by developing activities and projects for the promotion of 'Made in Italy' brand. Tourism is another crucial sector for regional economy. SPŠ E. Kolbena Rakovník was founded in 1883 and celebrated its 130 years anniversary three years ago. The result of the project is very close co-operation between individual subjects and plans for further cooperation. During the project a methodological manual for professionals, based on the knowledge and experience of individual organizations, has been developed and provides guidance on how to work with chambers and educational institutions. There is a profile of the worker of Chamber as well as a small guideline on how to start a business in partner countries.