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Entrepreneurship education in Romania1
1 OVERVIEW One of the priorities of the Romanian Human Resources Development Sectoral Operational Programme for the 2007-‐2013 period was the growth and development of a knowledge based society. A range of initiatives was set up to support this priority including teacher training in technical and vocational education with a particular focus on interactive teaching and learning methods.
Emerging from these initiatives was a drive to improve entrepreneurship, both directly and indirectly. The Act on National education I/2011 adopted by the Romanian government is testament to the importance placed on entrepreneurship which is seen as critical and a necessity for Romanian society to move forward. The importance of developing the entrepreneurial mindset is further highlighted in the National Strategy for Competitiveness for the 2014-‐2020 period. Although the emphasis is mostly on the training of SME leaders and business representatives, there is still a significant focus on entrepreneurial skills’ development.
On a more operational level, Junior Achievement Romania was established in 1993 and runs a large number of successful initiatives, mainly through extracurricular and non-‐formal educational approaches.
2 EXAMPLES OF ON-‐GOING INITIATIVES ADDRESSING
ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION
2.1 OUR COMMUNITY Our Community software is offered by Junior Achievement as a supplementary tool to regular teaching in schools. This software is specifically designed to engage children aged 8-‐10 years through dealing with problems in their immediate community and surrounding. The activities and materials are designed to increase their understanding of basic economic concepts as well as the practicalities of different types of jobs in a community, salaries, savings and challenges. Teachers and facilitators are offered a full toolkit, containing a manual, materials for students (e.g. stickers, worksheets, posters) and a My Community Junior Journal for participants to follow their progress.
2.2 GREENOVATION CHALLENGE The Greenovation Challenge is a new programme of Junior Achievement, implemented in the mountainous areas of Romania. It focuses on creating innovative solutions for environmental problems. The initiative is a bilateral project between Romania and Norway, and it aims to develop the innovative skills of young people in the field of sustainable development through a unique
1 This country fiche was prepared by Technopolis Group with contribution from 3s, DTI and ICF as part of the ‘Entrepreneurship 360 -‐ Promoting entrepreneurial learning in primary and secondary education and in vocational education and training project’ commissioned by the European Commission, DG Education and Culture. The content of this document, including the case studies and the descriptions of the initiatives reflect the information available as of August 2015.
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learning experience. The pedagogic approach is based on a learning by doing methodology, and the sessions are facilitated by teachers who receive training and educational material beforehand. A competition also forms part of the initiative, and participating teams are invited to act on local and global environmental dilemmas by engaging and collaborating with different companies and local authorities. The winners of the competition are invited for a study visit to Norway. The project is planned for the period of 2014-‐2016, and the goal is to involve 40 teachers and 900 secondary schools in the mountain areas.
2.3 ACTIVE SCHOOL-‐ENTERPRISE PARTNERSHIPS TO IMPROVE INITIAL
TRAINING -‐ FPI STEPS The active school-‐enterprise partnership to improve initial training (FPI STEPS) was a project implemented by the National Centre for Development of Vocational and Technical Education in partnership with the General Union of Industrialists of Romania. The project was financed through the European Social Funds and it explored and piloted a more active social partnership between schools and businesses. Through the curriculum the project targeted pupils in vocational and technical education. The results of the cooperation brought the curriculum closer to the real needs of the market and established much needed ties between two important social stakeholder groups.
2.4 ROMANIAN COORDINATION OF TRAINING FIRMS (ROCT) CENTRAL The ROCT Central developed in 2001/2002 is one of the outcomes of project led by the National Centre for Vocational and Technical Education Development and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. The ROCT Central platform allows students to register and access online material, training and develop virtual enterprises. One of the main programmes of the ROCT Central is the Firm Exercise which allows registered users to set up a foundation of a "training firm" and undergo a training and support programme for developing a fully functional enterprise. The training firm is an interactive method of entrepreneurial learning. Students simulate economic processes and operations in the business environment. Like in a number of other countries, ROCT Central coordinates these activities and provides guidance and support both to students and teachers, who act as mentors.
2.5 START INTERNSHIP ROMANIA The START Internship Romania programme is an initiative that provides opportunities for students and companies to work together and develop intra-‐company entrepreneurship (intrapreneurship). Implemented by a broad group of business associations, embassies, multinational companies, the project is developed for students who would like to gain work experience before starting their university studies. The programme runs during the summer months from July to September. Students work with well-‐established firms and undertake additional training during the internship. At the end of the programme they receive a letter of recommendation. In return companies get the benefit of working with enthusiastic young people that provide interesting insights and new ideas for the existing working practices of the company. More than 70% of students were very satisfied or satisfied with their experience in the project, and 93% of them would like to participate in future.
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2.6 FURTHER INFORMATION AND CONTACT DETAILS ON THE INITIATIVES
Title of initiative in English
Our community Greenovation Challenge
Active school-‐enterprise partnerships to improve initial training
ROCT Central START Internship Romania
Title of the initiative in the local language
Comunitatea noastra
Greenovation Challenge
Parteneriate active școală – întreprindere pentru îmbunătățirea formării profesionale inițiale
Centrala ROCT
Type of initiative
Guidelines, curriculum Competition
Training, experiential learning
Platform, Training provider
Internships, experiential learning (intrapreneurship)
Launch date of the initiative 2014 2010 2001 2011
Name of implementing body
Junior Achievement Romania
Junior Achievement Romania
National Centre for Development of Vocational and Technical Education
ROCT Junior Achievement Romania
Level of education Primary Primary,
Secondary, VET VET Secondary Secondary
Target group Teachers, Pupils Pupils Pupils Pupils Pupils
Link to further information
http://www.jaromania.org/despre/detalii_program/comunitatea-‐noastra
http://greenovationchallenge.jaromania.org/
http://www.pasiifpi-‐tvet.ro/
http://www.roct.ro/
http://www.startinternship.ro/
Language in which further information is available
Romanian Romanian Romanian Romanian Romanian
Contact e-‐mail address
[email protected] [email protected] firma.de.exercitiu
@roct.ro [email protected]
