This project is focused on the fostering of the entrepreneurial spirit among VET students, so as to improve their integration in the labour market. This was achieved through the: • Upskilling VET staff and teachers on key entrepreneurial skills and competences (Result 2). • Improvement and update of the operations, procedures and practices of VET institutions, in terms of entrepreneurship, based on the Model Institution, to be developed in EntreVET (Result 1). On this basis, the main objective of the EntreVET project was to create an open and entrepreneurship-friendly environment in VET institutions, which will enable VET students to start new business ventures and start-ups and improve their employment opportunities, within the EU labour market. In order for this objective waa achieved, two specific objectives were set, that cover the two levels of action to be undertaken, during the EntreVET project. The first specific objective was to boost the entrepreneurial skills and competences of VET students. The second one, was to upskill the VET staff and teachers with key entrepreneurial capacities and competences, so as for them to transfer their entrepreneurial skillset to VET students, through their practices and working culture.
According to UNESCO-UNEVOC, the introduction of entrepreneurial learning in VET institutions is an effective and practical means of cultivating transferable skills. In this context, the European Commission has published the “Entrepreneurship Competence Framework” and has highlighted the value of entrepreneurial competences in the Skills Agenda. Nevertheless, the VET system is yet to adapt, so as to promote the competences that graduates will need to be equally integrated in the labour market. In addition, the competence of entrepreneurship, as well as the entrepreneurial readiness among VET graduates is low. Based on the above and in a logic of lifelong learning, the following needs (Ns) are created: N1: Upskilling of VET graduates so as to be capable to launch their own business, and to ensure their equal and seamless access to the labour market. N2: Transformation of the training system, in terms of entrepreneurial capacities. N3: Design and development of resources and good practices for the active support of VET students in entrepreneurial initiatives (entrepreneurial methodology tools, networking opportunities, hackathons ect.). N4: Inclusion of the fostering of the entrepreneurial spirit in VET, in mainstream policies.