The Foundation for Women Entrepreneurs (Malta) together with partners from Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, Norway, Romania, Germany and the United Kingdom is participating in a project entitled SofE (School of Entrepreneurs), funded under the Leonardo da Vinci Programme.

The project, which started in 2005, is intended to develop an integrated System of Education and Entrepreneurial Development with which anyone, who wishes to start or may have already started an entrepreneurial activity, can acquire entrepreneurial ability and skills at a certified level. Entrepreneurial training based on the structured and documented SofE requirements, independently delivered through any formative course (using formal, informal methods, traditional self-learning or e-learning, etc.), will be objectively assessed through the integrated European wide SofE certification scheme. As an instrument for the promotion of lifelong learning, the SofE concept encompasses general and adult education, vocational education and training as well as higher education. The three levels cover the entire span of qualifications from those required for the startup of a business to those acquired after a long and successful entrepreneurial activity.

Now in its second year, the project has produced a list of subjects and a model syllabus and is organizing a system of examinations through which any individual can obtain a certificate for the level of knowledge and competence he/she can demonstrate.  The subjects are grouped into three levels vertically from basic to advanced and specialized (Life-Long-Learning) and up to seven categories horizontally representing basic managerial skills, marketing, organizing, legal and cultural issues.  Through a system of experts’ networks in each country the syllabus and subjects will be kept current and relevant while the provision of past questions and answers will provide guidance to candidates and trainers as to the desired level of competence a person should attain.  The purpose of having a basic level is to create awareness. It is a level open to all those who have the willingness and aptitude to start and run their own business.

The advanced level is where theory meets with practice and is the level most appropriate for persons recognizing the need to learn how to play the many roles demanded of them in a modern micro and small enterprise.  The specialized level is the Life-Long-Learning level and is designed for individuals seeking specific knowledge to help them aquire specifie skills which will allow them to practice something better or to be able to converse productively with their specialist consultants and advisors. The subjects range from general management practice to production resource organization, marketing, financing, business law and business behaviour and ethics. The level of competency will be indicated by an initial set of model questions and answers which together with the list of subjects and syllabus will be maintained current through an international network of experts selected both from the enterprise and the academic world.

Participants will be issued with a logbook in which the examination result will be entered each time an examination is successfully executed.  What will create demand for the European Enterprise Passport will be the value in having it.  This means it has to be appraised by entrepreneurs, employees and the State!

What SofE does is to create a structured curriculum which provides the background and basis on which to build the abilities of carrying out certain tasks or of handling various situations facing entrepreneurs daily.  The SofE approach also identifies the personal attributes, which are widely believed as valuable for entrepreneurs.  Some are natural abilities, some are influenced by environmental factors but most can be cultivated and nurtured.  Once taught the basics and informed correctly any entrepreneur will hone his/her competencies through daily practice through life-long processes.