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Entrepreneurship in VET: Exploring the European Experience
Start date: Jun 1, 2015, End date: May 31, 2016 PROJECT  FINISHED 

During the last years of economic crisis, Cyprus has suffered both recession and unemployment, leading to serious social distress. While various government programmes and initiatives encourage hiring young people, the situation is still very difficult. In September 2014, youth unemployment in Cyprus was 34,8%. According to psychologists, the consequences of unemployment to young people include deprivation of their identity in the society, deprivation of personal and social fulfillment, loss of confidence, anxiety, depression, lack of economic independence, psychological, social and economic problems. As finding employment is a hard job for all, entrepreneurship gains more and more importance. Embarking on a new business venture can be the only way for some people to take their fate into their own hands and create a job for themselves. Many people however, do not posses the necessary entrepreneurial drive and skills for such a journey. The ENTEREX project aimed to increase entrepreneurship of young people - VET students - as well as the ability of VET teachers to influence the development of these skills and competences - by offering opportunities to acquire experience abroad, improve intercultural communication and language skills, as well as strengthen the self-confidence and independence of students and pedagogical competences of teachers. The consortium has organised 32 12-days mobilities for VET students and 15 5-day mobilities for VET teachers from Cyprus in the Netherlands. The placements were organised in three flows, one for students and two for teachers, between January and May 2016. The flow of students had 1 accompanying person. The project partners were a national consortium of 4 private and public VET organisations in Cyprus and a host company - business development, support and training organisation in the Netherlands. The aims and conditions of placements and preliminary training plans were developed in advance and updated in the beginning of the project. The work placements focused on the development of entrepreneurial thinking and business planning/ management tools. Innovative tools and methodologies, such as the Business Model Canvas and Lego Serious Play, were employed to address issues related to Business Strategy and Entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship and knowledge of business planning is relevant and important for students from most study fields. The participants from various study programmes mixed during their mobilities, exchanging ideas and different perspectives. A mix of student and teacher mobilities and ability to experience the same business training/ development approach used by the host organisation in the Netherlands, lead to a valuable discussion, increased interaction of students and teachers, and is expected to have a stronger impact on their home schools and the uptake of new effective teaching methods. The participants were chosen on the basis of pre-defined selection criteria. They received preparation training in Cyprus before the placements; the receiving organisation provided orientation training and support upon arrival in the host country. The placements were monitored by project promoter, sending and receiving organisations. All participants received Europass Mobility Documents and certificates from the host company. Cultural development programme was offered as well. Dissemination Plan was developed and implemented jointly by project partners and participants. A dissemination event was organised in the end of the project, aiming to exchange experiences and present the project to VET schools and students in Cyprus as well as other stakeholders. We believe that experience of living and working abroad opens horizons, creates new opportunities and is extremely beneficial for any person. Work and living in different cultural environment has contributed to all participants' personal and professional development. The students got more ready to pro-actively pursue their career goals and find employment they wish for or create their own workplace; the participating teachers have enhanced their pedagogical competences and acquired knowledge of new methodologies and tools. The participating organisations have benefited from increased international cooperation, exchange of experiences in training and entrepreneurship development, and staff involvement in this international project. The sending organisations offered an additional development opportunity to their students and teachers, enriching their offer and providing better service, and increasing their competitiveness in VET. The project is a result of a lasting cooperation between the project promoter and the partner organisation in the Netherlands, as well as local partners - VET schools/ colleges in Cyprus, which resulted in smooth implementation and enriching experience for the participants.
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