Article: Fostering an entrepreneurial mindset in vocational education

Entrepreneurship is no longer limited to starting a large business or launching a groundbreaking product. In today’s dynamic economy, it’s a way of thinking – an ability to identify opportunities, take initiative, and turn ideas into action. The Virtual Assistant Skills and Entrepreneurship curriculum uses the EntreComp framework to help vocational educators instill this mindset in their learners, preparing them for both self-employment and the modern workforce.

Understanding the entrepreneurial mindset

An entrepreneurial mindset combines attitudes, skills, and behaviors that enable individuals to create value for others. In the context of vocational education, it empowers learners to:

Identify and seize opportunities.
Adapt to changing circumstances.
Work independently and take responsibility for their outcomes.
Innovate and solve problems creatively.

The EntreComp framework outlines three competence areas:

Ideas and opportunities – Spotting possibilities and generating value-driven concepts.
Resources – Leveraging skills, networks, and knowledge effectively.
Into action – Planning, executing, and learning from real-world projects.

Why it’s essential for VET learners

For many young people, especially those seeking flexible or freelance careers such as virtual assistance, entrepreneurship is the bridge between skills and income. It encourages:

Proactivity – Taking ownership of professional growth.
Resilience – Learning from failure and adapting strategies.
Creativity – Finding innovative solutions in competitive markets.

Practical approaches for educators

The curriculum offers interactive ways to foster entrepreneurial thinking:

Case study analysis – Discussing real-life scenarios where entrepreneurial attitudes made the difference.
Gallery walks – Engaging learners with the 15 EntreComp competences through visual, discussion-based activities.
Co-designing learning activities – Encouraging students to create projects that develop specific competences like problem-solving or collaboration.
Peer reflection – Building self-awareness through group feedback and shared experiences.

Integrating mindset development into VET

Entrepreneurial mindset training should be:

Contextual – Linked to the learners’ vocational field and career goals.
Hands-On – Focused on doing, not just discussing.
Supportive – Encouraging experimentation without fear of failure.

Conclusion

By embedding entrepreneurial mindset development into vocational education, we prepare learners not only for their first job but for a lifetime of adaptability and self-driven success. Using frameworks like EntreComp, educators can transform classrooms into innovation hubs – spaces where students don’t just learn skills but learn to create opportunities. In the context of virtual assistance and other digital careers, this mindset becomes a powerful tool for building sustainable, future-ready livelihoods.

Link to the educational resource “Virtual Assistant Skills and Entrepreneurship curriculum”:

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Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.