Social entrepreneurship and entrepreneural education becomes more and more important in European societies. In the VET sector the work based learning approach is also known as the best way to bring competences, skills and knowledge to the learner. The project wants to show best practises from the participating organisations in this field and will dicuss in which way VET organisations can implement this strategy into their training courses or transition projects. Mainly young adults from 18 – 30 , who are in many countries in Europe are in the risk of permanent unemployment and also young disadvantaged people and youngsters with migrant background could benefit from the resulsts of this project. Trainers, teachers and managers will take place in transnational meetings and a teaching acticvity, in which they can learn about the strategy of social entrepreneurship and work based learning methods. Combining the idea of social entrepreneurship and the wbl approach will help to empower the above mentioned target group not just in the field of professional competence but particularly in social competences, entrepreneurship skills, (self-)marketing which will help them in a transition phase to find a job or VET place. Further the young adults will receive social awareness regarding a sustainable work and life style.
Background: Europe still faces a high rate of unemployment among young people aged up to 30. Basic skills of young Europeans have been becoming weaker in several member states, and access to education is often unequal. Education systems need to be further modernised and more open to disadvantaged groups with special education needs, in order to enable individuals to become active citizens, make the most of their working lives, and align their skills with labour market needs. Efforts to upgrade education systems at all stages must be extensive in order to open up perspectives to young people (e.g. young people with handicaps, disadvantaged young people, early school leavers, as well as migrants and young refugees). These young people had to take a transition path from school to VET (vocational education and training) or employment. Their school careers have often been unsuccessful and many times they lack the confidence to take this path. Public institutions offer them many measures such as vocational orientation and additional school years. But the problem is that many of these measures are mostly theoretical lessons or work simulations. However, the young people need a way to reflect their experiences and attitudes towards society and the world of work. They often display disruptive behaviour in these projects. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new and better strategies for the transition process that take into account the living environment, the biographical background, and the expectations of the young people. School or other training organisations must focus on establishing a work-based learning environment that fosters entrepreneurial learning as well as social entrepreneurship. In this context, social entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial education is becoming ever more important in European societies. Both offer possibilities to gain more practical competences that are in demand on the labour market, and to be successful in life in general. In the VET sector, the work-based learning approach is also known to be the best way of conveying competences, skills and knowledge to the learner. Project’s Objective The WoSo project was designed to bring together those two approaches: the WBL setting on the one side, which focuses on the teaching of professional competences, and the entrepreneurial setting on the other side, which introduces entirely new perspectives regarding work life. However, both scenarios can be combined nicely to improve learning settings, and to teach the most vital competences that are essential for reacting flexibly to the future challenges of a quickly changing environment. Through presenting best practices from different member states and conducting a Teaching Activity we empowered our staff members (trainers, teachers, VET-responsibles and managers) regarding the understanding of social entrepreneurship and the teaching of entrepreneurial competences. This exchange of experience, knowledge and new methods led to the development of concrete actions plans per partner institution, which aim to improve the existing training programs and establish new projects with the focus on (social) entrepreneurship. The project is described clearly in a project documentation. Activities and participants In 3 Transnational Meetings and 1 LTTA came together teachers, trainers, VET-responsible and managers of our institutions. Those people who are working with the above mentioned target group of youngsters facing divers problems in job integration. They got to know the concept of social entrepreneurship such as an insight into entrepreneurial competences and the EntreComp Framework of the Joint Research Centre by the European Commission. During the project the participating organisations analysed their existing training programs regarding the EntreComp Framework and elaborated on this basis individual action plans to implement entrepreneurial learning and social entrepreneurship in their programs. Impact The project led to trained and professionalised staff members, who gained a better knowledge of social entrepreneurship and who realised the importance of teaching also entrepreneurial competences. Through the concrete working with the EntreComp Framework and the elaborated action plans, we improve our training programs, which will lead to an empowerment of our target groups who will benefit of the new focuses. Through strengthen their entrepreneurial competences they will improve their ability to adapt to the circumstances, create their own jobs and they receive a better understanding of social impact and sustainable management of resources.