1

Developing Entrepreneurship Studies at VET Schools

An Overview, 23.04.2009Aili Kõiv

Head of the Project Development and Implementation Unit

2

Looking back

“The direction of life is forward, but the understanding of life

comes from looking back.”

Søren Kierkegaard

3

History

• 1993 – 1995 Estonian-Danish Business College Programme

• 1996 – 1999 Estonian Business Education Reform Programme (Phare)

• 2000 – 2006 Estonian Business Education Programme (EBEP)

• 2005 – 2008 Developing Entrepreneurship Studies (ESF)

4

Output

• Implemented 2-year Basic Business Administration programme (on secondary vocational education level at 7 vocational schools)

• 3 vocational schools have implemented 3.5-year Business Administration programme on applied higher education level (accredited in 2006)

• Approximately 3 500 graduates in total• Teaching and study materials (12 workbooks, subject manuals in 18

subjects)• Teacher training – approximately 150 teachers• SMEs training programme• Qualification standards: Business Manager, Business Manager’s

Assistant, Marketer, Entrepreneur

5

Entrepreneurial Skills of VET Schools Graduates

• Survey was carried out in Estonian companies. Managers claimed that in addition to knowing the equipment / technology the graduates of VET schools should also have at least the basic knowledge of enterprise, marketing and accounting.

Thus, the purpose of developing entrepreneurship studies at VET schools is much wider, not merely to educate future entrepreneurs, but also employers.

• Survey was carried out by the Foundation Innove at vocational schools emphasized the relevance to consider much more practical approach and develop entrepreneurship modules for VET schools.

6ESF project “Developing Entrepreneurship Studies at VET schools” • Project period: September 2005 – August 2008• Implementing organisation: Foundation Innove• Budget: 223 691 EUR• Partners: 6 VET schools and Estonian Chamber of

Commerce (www.koda.ee)• Financing: ESF, Innove and 6 partner schools• Dissemination: 15 VET schools

7

Objectives of the Project

To improve quality of entrepreneurship study at project related schools by the year 2009 To develop and implement new entrepreneurship

modules (different target groups); To develop new study materials and resource

materials for teachers; To provide relevant teacher training: entrepreneurship

modules, teaching methods and project work as a method;

To pilot new modules at partner schools;

8

Concept of entrepreneurship modules

To provide VET graduates (whatever speciality they study) with practical knowledge of the basics of entrepreneurship on an Estonian example. (understanding the market, knowledge of how to plan and manage different activities and operations of a business).

To design the Entrepreneurship modules adaptable and usable in different curricula at vocational schools.

In deciding upon the study methods and materials to take into account characteristics of the Net generation.

9

Entrepreneurship modules

1- level BASIC MODULE (40 hours) Target group: VET school students after basic school (age 14-17)

The main goal is to develope students understanding of market economy and today`s business world, to introduce career research possibilities, the logic of businesses everyday activities and the basics of founding and operating a business.

2- level Entrepreneurship module (40 hours)

Target group: VET school students on the level vocational secondary education.

The second module focuses on business environment in Estonia, business start-up, and enterprise activity. Students have to plan,

set up and run their own enterprise activities and present an enterprise report and outcomes.

10Study material of Basic Module

“Ettevõtluse alused” + Teacher's book on CD

Content:• Introduction to Economics • Me and Career• People at Work• Enterprise and Entrepreneurs• Business Idea, Planning the

Business

Examples, exercises, study-cases, discussion topics.

11Study material of the second module

“Ideest eduka ettevõtteni” + Teacher's book

Content:•The Business Environment; •Generating and Evaluating Business Ideas;•The Business Plan;•Marketing;•Finance

Examples, exercises, cases, discussion topics.

12

Third module – Optional module (80 h)

Target group: VET school students on the level vocational secondary education

The optional module focuses on Evaluation of Business Performance and Managing Entrepreneurial Challenges. Module includes 40 hours enterprise activity.

Teaching methods: teamwork, case-method, project-based learning, individual tasks.

13Study material of Optional Module + CD

“Mis toimub ettevõttes? Evaluation and development of enterprices”

Content:Evaluating enterprisesEvaluating external environmentStrategic orientation and planningManagement of enterprisesThe role of HR in enterprises;Assets and resources of enterprisesEnterprises and co-operationEnterprises and its role in society

Independent task – evaluating operations in enterprises.

Examples, exercises, case-cases, discussion topics.

.

14

Learning by doing

“What I hear, I forget; What I see, I remember; What I do, I know.”

Chinese proverb

Project-based learning Simulation Pizzeria: www.pizzeria.ee

Teachers' Trainings 79 teachers participated in trainings (total amount of training 140

hours) Trainers from Denmark, Ireland, Finland, Estonia.

.

15

Simulation Pizzeria

“Give a person a job and you feed them for a day. Teach a person how to start and run their own business and you feed them for a lifetime.“

Main goal: To improve students’ planning and analysing skills through the exciting business game.

16

Simulation Pizzeria – www.pizzeria.ee

17

Feedback

Students: (approximately 1 000 in pilot period) Simulation Pizzeria was students favourite. Students

experienced the impact of their decions to company’s development.

New study materials (also use of electronic materials) made the studying flexible, closer to real life and interesting.

Teachers: Up-to-date study material, taking into cosnideration

situation in Estonia, Opportunity to participate in enterpreneurship

complement trainings

18Cooperation with student

organisation AIESEC

Cooperation in devoloping the Entrepreneurship Handbook 2.nd edition, E-Book (approximately 8 000 DVDs)

• Simulation Pizzeria (www.pizzeria.ee)• Interviews with VET schools graduates• Links of Entrepreneurship Study material (Innove)

19

Thank you!