Final report - European Commission - Europa

PERSPECTIVE FROM AN ENTREPREUNEURIng. Vladimír Sirotka, Project manager of education at Slovak Association of Small Enterprises.I will try to focus on some problems related to small entrepreneurs in my country. Based on my own experiences I cansay that graduates, especially high schools graduates are not properly educated for performing their job in SME. Thisis especially the case for managerial knowledge; economy, bookkeeping and accounting; existing technology equipmentin companies and international technology transfer; conditions of new owners; modern methods of humancapital development; partnership in international networks focused on new knowledge, production, sale, and cooperation,specially in EU area.I am speaking about it, because it appears that a graduate from the University of Economy who studied companymanagement is not familiar with the practical level of accounting. He then attends the re-qualification course organizedby employment registry office where he completes his education in accounting.It is similar with graduates from certified professional education who study to be cookers or waiters. Sometimes theydon’t have enough practical experience to perform the work by themselves in a small company. I am speaking frommy own experience.Small entrepreneur doesn’t have enough time and possibilities to complete his education. This situation causeslower interest from entrepreneur in such employee and, usually, the first steps of these graduates lead to the employmentregistry office. The employment registry office then organizes special re-qualification courses for graduateswho are considered as a risk group.It is a paradox that education, which in my opinion should be provided by school in 4-5 years, is being replaced by3-6 months courses. Therefore it is necessary to bring the education process closer to SME practical requirementsand enable schools to leave room for graduates’ practical preparation in cooperation with SME.But it is also an issue of financing, which is quite significant.Well, If we want to improve education process, I thing, that we must do the following:1. Improve Partnership between universities and SME sector.2. Improve Partnership between regional government, high schools and SMEs.3. Enable students to achieve practical experience in small enterprises during their study.4. Involve successful entrepreneurs in education process for example on basis of guest speakers.5. Create conditions for establishing practical teaching centers at small enterprises (SME companies).6. Bring education closer to the real lifeWhat is the most important is investing into human resources of SME, which is the source of SME development.This is really a generally valid statement.18Entrepreneurship Education in Europe: Fostering Entrepreneurial Mindsets through Education and Learning