Study visit in Romania: connecting diverse experiences in entrepreneurial skills development

We follow the EntreComp competence framework. They have 3 areas: Ideas and opportunities, Resources and Into Action. In the project we are creating learning playlists that cover all 3 areas of the framework.

At national level, Romania is more and more into exploring and cultivating the aptitudes and passions of people. Hence the entrepreneurial programs financed by national and european grants that support starting a business for different categories: students, people from rural areas, people who returned from abroad etc. These programs are visible in our town as well, the places we visited act as springs of good practices and inspiration for each potential entrepreneur, – says Adina.

The Entrepreneurial skills project is letting me deepen my understanding of how to recognise prior learning better and connect them with the different entrepreneurial skills that people already have worked on and show in different settings. The study visit, while visiting the mayor and municipality, the city’s entrepreneurial support, a startup and young people who built up their mock (fake) company impressed me a lot. Small cities can create a big impact for their citizens when policies are right.

There are similarities, like the way Severin offers entrepreneurial learning opportunities. In Curacao a vocational school also offers the opportunity to not only set up mock companies, but encourage learners who want to, to set up their real companies.

What is more, help and support of an experienced expert from the target group is always needed. If you ensure that – there will be more willingness to learn, it will build a more sustainable circle of trust, – says Mark.

We work with our students in practice. We speak with them about what they have to learn which is described on their qualification dossier. After they finish their task, they write a Starr. This is a method where we can see if they understand their competences and what is written in the working process.

“That was a very interesting study visit where I learned a lot how Cities of Learning work. I’m looking in my mind what it could mean for my job and clients from the 3Antonius organisation.”

I have a deep, deep respect for every hosting partner, and connecting partner. Besides that, we shared some really good practices and methods on entrepreneurial skills. For me it’s also good to practice with the platform itself, to get a deeper understanding about the what’s and why’s.

The study visit was a great experience. It became very clear that exchanging ideas and strategies on how to recognize and validate prior learning is a powerful way for inclusion. Nice to see that there are similarities in the way Romania implements Entrepreneurial learning in their curricula. Being part of this study visit create also made me further understand how to use the playlist and badges in different ways to connect with learners.