Fostering creativity, entrepreneurship and mobility in education and training

Key points

• The EESC believes Europe needs to focus on entrepreneurship education and on how to foster an entrepreneurial mind-set.
• The EESC recommends that Member States return to the strategic framework for European cooperation in Education and Training (ET 2020) based on the 2006 Oslo Agenda and that they develop their own entrepreneurship education strategies or incorporate the entrepreneurship concept in their national lifelong learning strategies. The EESC calls for gradual development of key competences as defined in the EP and Council recommendation (2006).
• Entrepreneurship education needs to be considered, in the context of the overall social environment. Entrepreneurship skills should be addressed at all levels of education and training.
• High quality traineeships, internships, apprenticeships, dual or other work-based systems, start-ups and incubator programmes, volunteering and sports activities can ease the transition from school to work or self-employment.
• The procedures for the recognition of knowledge acquired outside school need to be improved and the EESC supports the EC proposal to develop a competence reference framework for entrepreneurship within the context of the Key Competences Framework.
• The EESC calls on Member States to introduce a programme for teachers, trainers and educational leaders focused on developing entrepreneurial skills and attitudes. Educational establishments, meanwhile, should offer learning environments that promote entrepreneurial mindsets and are open to the wider community.
• The EESC emphasises the importance of partnership among different stakeholders, highlighting in particular the role of social partners.
• The EESC calls upon Member States to use all available programmes and tools supporting entrepreneurship and urges the Commission to provide support and appropriate assistance.