Entrepreneurship education is a driver of success for the next generation. Retailers partner with Junior Achievement to equip young people with business skills.
EuroCommerce and JA Europe today presented a joint report to the Commission and several members of the European Parliament showcasing good practice and cooperation between education and business to boost entrepreneurship education in 10 European countries. Over the last few years, several EuroCommerce members worked with national JA organisations on a number of education initiatives delivered by teachers and 3,000 business volunteers from retail organisations. Involving numerous schools and several hundreds of thousands of students across Europe, the initiatives have sought to enhance their entrepreneurial skills, attitudes and knowledge.
At the event, JA Europe and EuroCommerce underlined the importance of developing closer working relationships between education and business communities, and use these to teach young people about entrepreneurship much earlier in their schooling. They highlighted the added value and impact on school curricula that partnerships between businesses and organisations in the local community can have. “Entrepreneurship education needs to be built up at local level and anchored in national and EU strategies. JA has the experience, the track record, and the local networks to make this happen. We are proud to see how many of our members have partnered with JA and are engaged. And this is only a small snapshot of the many education and apprenticeships initiatives that retailers and wholesalers carry out everyday. The retail and wholesale community has a huge role to play in sharing with young people their hands-on experience of business.” said Christian Verschueren, EuroCommerce Director-General.
“The youth unemployment rate in the EU was more than double the overall unemployment rate ; 4.75 million young persons (under 25) remain unemployed. I am however pleased to observe renewed emphasis on strengthening our national policies on entrepreneurship education which is one of the best long term remedies to this crisis. Commissioner Navracsics confirmed that the Commission is ready to take concrete action and cooperate with Commissioner Thyssen, in charge of employment. Young people need entrepreneurial competences in order to enter and contribute to a competitive and successful economy,” stated Caroline Jenner, CEO of JA Europe.
While there has been significant progress in the field of entrepreneurship education across Europe, scale and penetration remains too low. Exposing young people early-on to practical entrepreneurial experience is an important part of building their confidence as future entrepreneurs or improving their employability in adult life.
