Page 4 - UPthEM_Program_Final_December 2020

The UPthEM program draws on desk research, conducted in the scope of the project that maps out
the situation of adult education in the five participating countries: Bulgaria, Greece, Poland,
Romania and Spain, in terms of entrepreneurship policies, programmes, and links between
educational institutions and the business. Further, the research reviews the formal and non-formal
training in entrepreneurship in the partner countries and assesses the particular needs of learners,
educators and employers. The entrepreneurial education and training generally lack the necessary
level of institutionalization - common standards for accreditation of the training organizations and
award of degree; varying quality of educational programmes and courses, standard requirements
for entrepreneurship teaching of formal and non-formal programmes. In this sense, the UPthEM
Programme contributes to setting standards in adult education in entrepreneurship and to
supporting of the entrepreneurship teaching and learning of adult disadvantaged learners.

The set objective of UPthEM programme is the formulation of knowledge, skills and competences
in the area of entrepreneurship to be acquired by the adult trainees with disadvantaged background
as well as teaching methods and techniques. These need to respond to several circumstances
(programme specifics): The Programme doesn’t set specific prerequisites for the trainees in terms
of degrees and qualifications; it addresses what is necessary for the trainees who wish to develop
a business or work for a startup and what is necessary for non-business students to turn their
passion into a business. It is intended to apply to a diverse set of economic sectors.

One general observation that is borne in mind is that such programmes are very often designed/
redesigned to meet students’ and business demands, to support new ventures and social causes.
Thus, the programme should allow adaptation to different social and economic spheres.

The teaching and assessment methods reflect the specifics of the subject matter: tie directly to
entrepreneurship and is directed to future entrepreneurs. Such programmes are supposed to
provide the potential entrepreneurs with an understanding of how to develop and sustain a venture,
hence, offer an integrated approach to problem solving, help students understand the whole of the
enterprise, challenging them to evaluate problems on multiple dimensions. This point at specific
knowledge, skills and also teaching and learning techniques.

It also reflects the specificities of the learners, targeted by the programme: adults with
disadvantaged backgrounds. Thus, the role of the educator/counsellor/facilitator focuses on
promoting entrepreneurship and support of disadvantaged learners in the process of exploration of
their business ideas. Personal development as entrepreneurs of prospective students of the
Programme is its key objective and this determines the design of the UPthEM and the selection of
teaching methods and techniques.

Project 2019-1-BG01-KA204_062299
The content of this material does not necessary reflect the official position of the European Union.