University works on projects to tackle youth unemployment

A new training app is being developed by University of Wolverhampton academics to tackle unemployment among young people by encouraging them to launch their own business.

App.twill contain interactive training content which focuses on developing business start-up skills.

The project is a consortium of five European partners, led by the University of Wolverhampton, and is based on the principles of social enterprise. The total project value is €368,749.

In addition, the University is working on VET4Start-Up, aiming to create training materials (including a free ‘Massive Online Open Course’) for people who are interested in starting up their own business.

It will involve six European partners and be led by EURO-NET, an Italian company. The total project value is €213,424.

Both projects focus on technology as an innovative way to engage with young people and entrepreneurs. Participants are currently identifying existing practice in the partner countries, including examples which have successfully helped people to start-up a business. This information will be used to develop the training resources.

Sam Hope, Associate Dean, Faculty of Arts, said: “Research shows there are still a large number of young people in Europe who leave education and training without holding any labour market related qualifications.

“People who are struggling to find employment may be interested in starting up their own business. However, start-up activity is difficult, there is high risk and more than 50 per cent of new businesses fail within the first five years.

“Strong and well-performing Vocational and Educational Training (VET) can help deal with the challenge facing start-ups in a competitive economy coming out of the global recession. The University of Wolverhampton is now working with partners to target this issue.”

The projects will be running events where interested members of the public can come along to find out more and get involved with testing the products. More information is available at: http://www.vet4startup.eu/.

Both projects are funded under the Erasmus+ Key Action 2 Strategic Partnership programme for Vocational Education and Training.

ENDS

App.t - This publication has been produced with the support of the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of University of Wolverhampton and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the NA and the Commission.

VET4Start-Up - This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission/National Agencies cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

           Co-funded by the European Union