EUROPAPRENEUR: a Finnish initiative of entrepreneurship

1. EUROPAPRENEUR: a Finnish initiative of entrepreneurship Dr Jukka Kallio jukka.kallio@tuakk.fi

2. EUROPAPRENEUR • An innovative way towards European competence based entrepreneur qualifications – entrepreneur diploma • transfer the elements of the Finnish entrepreneur diploma to European partner countries and to develop entrepreneurship training (training of nascent entrepreneurs) in Finland further through the impulse from the partner countries • creation of a common European diploma.

3. System of competence based qualifications • Finnish certified system of national competence based qualifications for entrepreneurs is unique • In general, competence-based qualification system is the most established form of validation in Finland • Competence-based qualifications can be awarded regardless of how and where the skills and knowledge have been acquired; knowledge, skills and competence can be demonstrated in officially approved tests.

4. What is entrepreneur diploma? • national competence based qualifications for entrepreneurs developed in Finland • European Diploma for Entrepreneurs = common European competence based entrepreneur qualifications • The system of national competence based qualifications for micro business owners, self-employed and nascent entrepreneurs in Finland has worked successfully since 1995

5. competence based qualifications 2 • The qualifications came into force in 1994 and are now included in the Act on Vocational Adult Education 1998 • The framework was created by the National Board of Education in cooperation with the main labour market organisations and teachers • the system of competence-based qualifications offers the adult population in particular a flexible way to renew and maintain their vocational skills

6. competence based qualifications 3 • In competence-based qualifications, vocational skills are demonstrated through competence tests, regardless of whether the skills have been acquired through work experience, studies or other activities • What matters most is vocational competence (skills needed for business start –up and running a business successfully) and entrepreneurial mindset

7. competence based qualifications 4 • In Finland, the system of national competence based qualifications for entrepreneurs has build a new professionalisation standard for the entrepreneurship trainers, teachers and tutors • The Finnish National Board of Education appoints a qualification committee for each competence-based qualification. This concerns also competence-based qualifications for entrepreneurs • The qualification committee agrees with education providers and other organizations on the arrangements for competence-based education. It is in charge of arranging and monitoring competence tests. It also develops the system of competence-based qualifications for entrepreneurs

8. competence based qualifications 5 • In Finland, training for competence-based qualifications for entrepreneurs is provided especially by organizations specializing in adult education • However, obtaining a competence-based qualification is not dependent on how the competence has been acquired. • It is possible to participate in a competence test without any training for competence-based qualification

9. EUROPAPRENEUR • Transfer of innovation project within Leonardo programme; submitted 2008 • Partners: • Opeko, AKOL& The Federation of Finnish Enterprises from Finland; • Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association Ltd Ireland; • DBO Belgium; • Scalconsult – Consultores, Lda Portugal; • Instituto de Formación y Estudios Sociales – IFES, Spain; • CENTRE RECURSOS D’INICIATIVES I AUTOCUPACIÓ SL, Spain; • SVGB kennis- en opleidingencentrum, Holland; • Center Republike Slovenije za poklicno izobraževanje Slovania; • FRAREG s.r.l. Italy (until 31 March 2010)

10. Thank you