Developing Entrepreneurship

Studies at VET Schools

An Overview, 23.04.2009
Aili Kiv
Head of the Project Development and Implementation Unit

Looking back
The direction of life is
forward, but the
understanding of life
comes from looking back.
Sren Kierkegaard

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)

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 Managers
Assistant, Marketer, Entrepreneur

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.

ESF 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

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;

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.

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.

Study material of Basic Module

Ettevtluse 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, studycases, discussion topics.

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Study material of the second module

Ideest eduka ettevtteni + Teacher's book
Content:
The Business Environment;
Generating and Evaluating
Business Ideas;
The Business Plan;
Marketing;
Finance
Examples, exercises, cases,
discussion topics.

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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, projectbased learning, individual tasks.

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Study material of Optional Module + CD

Mis toimub ettevttes? Evaluation and
development of enterprices
Content:
Evaluating enterprises
Evaluating external environment
Strategic orientation and planning
Management of enterprises
The role of HR in enterprises;
Assets and resources of enterprises
Enterprises and co-operation
Enterprises and its role in society
Independent task evaluating
operations in enterprises.
Examples, exercises, case-cases,
discussion topics.
.

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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 .
.

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.

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Simulation Pizzeria www.pizzeria.ee

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Feedback
Students: (approximately 1 000 in pilot period)
Simulation Pizzeria was students favourite. Students
experienced the impact of their decions to companys
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

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Cooperation 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)

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Thank you!

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