Upkilling African VET to Step

forward Smart Entrepreneurship

Newsletter 1
About the project
SMART STEP’s main objective is to include a transversal training program in
the African VET Schools to skill the learners as future entrepreneurs. SMART
STEP strategic partnership offers technical support on capacity development
to education ecosystem both in the private sector and civil society. It provides
relevant knowledge related to capacity building and sustainable
development of Africa. The project started in January 2023 and will have a
duration of 36 months.

The specific objectives are:

Establish a comprehensive and collaborative system of Exchange of good
practices, learning processes and activities among the partners establishing a
space for mutual knowledge.

Introduce specific training on entrepreneurship to both VET teachers, tutors

and learners making them think on enterprises which follow the rules of
sustainable innovation production and inclusiveness adapted to their
economic environment.

More information on
partners here
About the partnership
SMART STEP partnership brings together European and African VET schools,
representatives of European and African youth, private sector, young entrepreneurs,
development partners, civil society, and experts to showcase, share, and discuss
comprehensive innovative TVET models and programs in entrepreneurial upskilling.
The project partners are Mundus (project coordinator), VIS (Volunteers for International
Development), European Entrepreneurs CEA-PME (Confédération Européenne des
Associations de Petites et Moyennes Entreprises), IDEAS-UPV, PROTOTIPI, The Institute
of Technology of Industry, Management and Entrepreneurship (INTIME), Start-Up SME
Centres (SSC) Ghana, Salesians of Don Bosco, West Africa South Province (DBYN).
Activities that have taken place
1 Kick Off Meeting in Accra, Ghana
24th and 25th of April 2023

It is impossible to avoid failing when you start a business, and the data speak clearly: 90% of
start-ups fail. This is an important lesson learned during the project kick-off meeting, held in
Don Bosco Technical School, Ashaiman, Ghana in April 2023. 14 people from the partner
organizations took part in this 2-day meeting, which served as an opportunity to know each
other, present the project's methodology and start working on the first tasks.

Day 1

Partners were given a project’s overview, state of art and timeline by Mundus. Then, they were
introduced to the state of entrepreneurship, the job market and the educational system in
Cameroon and Ghana. These presentations led to some fruitful discussions amongst partners
about the need to bridge the gap between the educational sector and the job market and
how Smart Step can help in this aspect. Finally, a guided tour among the different departments
of the Don Bosco Vocational Training Center concluded the morning’s session, leaving the
participants impressed about the quality of the infrastructures and equipment and the variety
of the training offer.

From UPV’s presentation on ‘What makes a successful entrepreneur?’ the participants

learned that resilience, passion and energy are successful qualities for an entrepreneur. The
importance of knowing how to work under pressure and in uncertain situations were also
highlighted, along with having the right team that shares your same vision. It was advised to
never getting outcompeted, instead to continue innovating to retain your customers. After
that, partners familiarized themselves with the objectives and tasks of WP4 ’Knowledge
Exchange Platform and Open Education Resources’, presented by Prototipi.
 A working group aimed at defining the WP methodology and the
structure and content of the Good Practices Compendium took a
good part of the afternoon. The first day was concluded with a
presentation of the WP5 ‘Development of Capacity Building in VET
programs in entrepreneurship’ by the WP leader, IDEAS-UPV.

Day 2

The second day was more interactive, through 2 working sessions, the first one to
discuss and validate the assessment tools that will be used during the study visits
to gather information and the interviews questions for the focus groups at Don
Bosco Technical Institute. Local partners remarks were key in making the
assessment tools adapt to the context and to the respondents. The second one was
conducted in order to define the target group, the content of the training modules
(e.g. business soft skills and technical skills, financial skills), the best methodology and
structure to use (e.g. theory/practice balance, the assessment methods) for WP5.

Finally, partners were introduced to the Communication & Dissemination Plan by VIS
and to the Management and Quality Assurance Plan by Mundus.

The kick-off meeting gave to the partners the opportunity to have a little taste of the
only Anglophone country of West Africa (the beautiful landscape of Volta Region, the
hospitality of the habitants, the chilly food), to have insights of the situation of
entrepreneurship in Ghana, and to have a clearer picture of the project, by starting to
work on the different working packages. However, the most important aspect was
the possibility to know each other and build that relation of respect and trust that is
key in carrying a successful intervention.
 2 Study Visit in Ghana
26th of April to 1st of May 2023

Some significant gaps between the educational approach and the labor market in Ghana were
unpacked by Smart Step experts’ team in the study visit. The aim was to gather relevant
information from key players in Ghana about entrepreneurship in TVET at national and local
levels, which will be the basis for the development of Smart Step capacity building activities.

The experts’ team visited the Don Bosco Vocational Training Center, the Ghana Innovation
Hub and the SSC start-up centre. Meetings with local and traditional authorities were also
envisaged. The methodology used to collect information was focus groups, interviews and
observations. The respondents include students, former students, teachers, entrepreneurs,
incubators and cooperatives, artisans, apprentices, and unemployed youth. Finally, 5 start-ups
were presented to the experts’ team.

In conclusion, the challenges that young entrepreneurs face included limited

knowledge, information and financial means and difficulties in the process at
the very early stage and shortage of skilled workers. The absence of a
favorable environment for entrepreneurship, coupled with a general lack of
knowledge, entrepreneurial mindset, and information on setting up a business,
are the major challenges.

However, the study also highlighted the potential for technology to

drive economic development in Ghana, and the strong commitment of
young students to become entrepreneurs.
 3 Study Visit in Bafoussam and Yaoundé, Cameroon
26th to 30th of June 2023

Sharing successful stories can be inspiring for students who want to take the
entrepreneurship path. This is an important lesson learned during the study visit, conducted
in Cameroon by Smart Step team. The objective of the visit was to assess the state of art of
the education for entrepreneurship in the country. During 5 days, experts met key players of
the VET sector and entrepreneurial world to understand entrepreneurship at local and national
level.

The key players met were the Institute of Technology of Industry, Management and
Entrepreneurship (Intime), one of the project partners, Tayim Technical High School, the
Centre of Promotion of Artisans of Bafoussam (CEPAB) and Don Bosco Mimboman facilities.
Meetings with local and traditional authorities were also organized. The methodology used
replicated the one used in Ghana.

Significant gaps between the educational approach and the realities of the labour market were
revealed. The lack of a favorable environment for entrepreneurship, coupled with a general lack
of knowledge, entrepreneurial mindset and information on setting up a business and funding
opportunities are key challenges. The majority of graduates ended up working in professions
unrelated to their training or remained unemployed, with only a small percentage securing
positions at companies and an even smaller number becoming entrepreneurs. This makes
evident the current gap between education and the labor market.

Therefore, courses in entrepreneurship are needed

both for students and teachers. The Job Service Office
could play an important role within the school and
receive more comprehensive training to be able to
support students and teachers. An entrepreneurship
expert should be part of VET schools’ staff to support
students in generating a project idea, developing a
business plan and strategy. Moreover, an online
platform where information about funding
opportunities and administrative procedures to be
followed to start a business can be a step forward.
 To conclude, it is recommended that more efforts are put into teaching life
skills and entrepreneurship and providing support to young entrepreneurs in
Ghana and Cameroon to create a generation of African leaders that can
create jobs and continue economic growth on the continent.

Visiting the companies where the students carry out their placement
During the study visit in Cameroon, the Smart Step team had the opportunity to visit the
companies where Don Bosco Institute students undertake their placement. In particular, the
owner of a tailor's shop explained to them how she organizes the learning experience for
students. They receive an accurate assessment for each assignment. Based on the evaluation
received, the students carry out targeted exercises to improve their weaknesses. The
students are required to do their daily homework and to procure some materials and fabrics
for work in the shop. In this way, they are motivated to commit themselves on a daily basis and
they are followed throughout the two-month training period. The Don Bosco institute wants to
encourage this type of internship, aiming for an experience that is not only work-related but
also educational and motivating for the student. The next step is to sensitize students for an
apprenticeship search that is not only based on the type of work they intend to carry out but
also on the teaching skills of employers.

Former students' successful stories

The meeting with Don Bosco institute former students was a very useful sharing and
motivational moment for both the current students and the Smart Step team. Students had
the opportunity to hear success stories, obtain information and better understand the steps
needed to start their own business. A young former student who intervened is a musician. He
enrolled in the school's graphic designer and video maker course at Don Bosco Institute. The
former student explained how he tried to combine his passions with practical work. The
course was crucial in broadening his skills and expanding the services his company can offer.
He described how difficult it was at the beginning to get financing and how he had to save up
to get the money to buy the technical equipment. Now his company collaborates with local
television, provides shooting and video production and records music tracks. This experience
was very motivating for the students, especially since it is an unconventional job and the
history has opened up a lively debate on possible careers among students.
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