Czech Business Today

The Employers ́ group in the EESC welcomes very much intention of the European Commission cooperation together with the Trio presidency to come back to the Oslo Declaration (2006) and to the objectives of the Strategic framework for the European cooperation in education and training (ET 2020) and to foster creativity, entrepreneurship and mobility in the education and training. 

This is also the title and the aim of the own initiative opinion which is now in the development process in the study group. The EESC follows the conclusions of the Council for Youth, Education, Culture and Sport of 12 December 2014 which say very clearly that both entrepreneurship and education are priorities of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. Development of an entrepreneurial mindset can have considerable benefits for citizens in both their professional and private lives. Creativity and innovation are crucial for the development of enterprises and for Europe ́s ability to compete internationally.

Investment in education and training for skills development is essential if we are to boost growth and competitiveness. The first challenge is to promote the acquisition by all citizens of transversal key competencies such as digital competencies, learning to learn, sense of initiative and entrepreneurship and cultural awareness. The EESC LMO conference in November 2014 on “Supporting start-ups to create growth and employment” also clearly showed that entrepreneurship education should be considered in the context of the wider business environment, including facilitating businesses start-ups, cutting red tape, and addressing the labour market flexibility. Pre-start, start-up and development incentives can be effectively linked to a range of other active labour market policies (ALMP) and also need to be seen in the context of a wider framework of business support and enterprise development. 

The role of role teachers and educators in facilitating learning and multiplying idea is crucial. Integrating new educational processes and teaching technologies into the classrooms is no simple task and will require qualified teachers to spearhead the process. The quality of teachers and mentors/ counselors is essential for ensuring the success and effectiveness of entrepreneurial training programmes.

Vladimíra Drbalová 
The Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic, EESC Member