Print version Recommend this page Press release
29/ 2003
Bonn, 07.08.2003
How does one learn to be an "entrepreneur"?
A BIBB enquiry into the contribution vocational education makes to entrepreneurial autonomy
The ability to think and act entrepreneurially should be encouraged early on, during the period of vocational training - regardless of whether trainees set up their own businesses or not. The prerequisite for this is that the topic of "autonomy" be given general attention during vocational training so that young people are able to recognise that establishing one's own business is one possible vocational route to take. The requirements are a change in the weight assigned to business administration and multidisciplinary training programmes along with practical experience and teaching methods (e.g. what one has to do to establish a business, discussions with people who run their own businesses and project work) which help trainees set up their own business.
This is the view shared by the majority of businesspersons in the economic sector of retail and tourism surveyed within the framework of a research project by the Federal Institute for Vocational Training (BIBB) on businesspersons' views on the role of vocational training in preparing people to run their own businesses01.
The businesspersons surveyed voiced their support for
- offering additional qualifications of talented young people within the framework of vocational training, creating possibilities to test qualifications for running a business and offering the opportunity for experience to be gained as businesspersons;
- to establish or take over an enterprise, i.e. direct qualification as businessperson - not viewing this as a goal for vocational training, but rather as a special task of vocational training.
BIBB has developed initial concepts for integrating entrepreneurial qualifications in vocational training on the basis of the results of this survey of companies and additional results of studies within the framework of the research project (results from the analysis of qualification measures for people establishing businesses and an analysis of literature on research exploring the establishment of new businesses). It is proposed to create an offering broken down according to vocational training, additional qualifications, promotion of career advancement and supportive measures.
The following should be offered in the area of vocational training:
- The promotion and practice of entrepreneurial thinking and action. By using a special department in a training company e.g. at a juniors or pupils company, for a limited period of time, trainees could learn to tackle assignments autonomously under their own responsibility and to assume the economic responsibility associated therewith;
- The establishment of a business as a professional alternative to attain autonomous employment. The opportunities, risks and requirements applying to entrepreneurial autonomy should be demonstrated at the same time;
- Particular focus on special prospects of businesspersons, especially with regard to the content of training in business administration. This above all applies to business administration trades in which company business and performance processes are at the centre of attention.
- Talented trainees should be offered additional qualifications as voluntary options in the form of qualification modules such as e.g. putting together a business plan.
Qualifications obtained in continuing vocational training should be expanded upon and company leadership, establishment and take-over know-how conveyed.
In order to promote and consolidate the integration of the topic of "entrepreneurial autonomy" in vocational training, BIBB proposes that models and concepts aimed at promoting businesspersons' qualifications be tested or even a programme be initiated to develop qualification strategies promoting entrepreneurial autonomy in the area of vocational training. The potential of motivated, competent businesspersons who are e.g. able to establish their own companies or set up a franchise business can be developed early and encouraged in this manner.
For additional information on project results, see:
- Petra Garnjost, Hannelore Paulini-Schlottau, "Förderung von Unternehmerqualifikationen in der Berufsbildung", article published in the BIBB journal "Berufsbildung in Wissenschaft und Praxis" (BWP) no. 2/2003; price € 7.60, which can be obtained from W-Bertelsmann Verlag GmbH & Co. KG, Postfach 10 06 33, 33506 Bielefeld, tel. 0521/911 01-11, fax: 0521/911 01-19, e-mail: service@wbv.de
- Summary of the final report on the research project "Contribution of training in business administration to entrepreneurial autonomy" in the Internet under www.bibb.de/de/5817.htm
- You can receive special information from BIBB by contacting Anita Krieger (e-mail: krieger@bibb.de) and Hannelore Paulini-Schlottau (e-mail: paulini@bibb.de)
