6533b7d0fe1ef96bd125ae1c

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Promoting Employability in Higher Education: A Case Study on Boosting Entrepreneurship Skills

Maja BaracCristina Pardo-garcia

subject

EntrepreneurshipHigher educationGeography Planning and DevelopmentTJ807-830transversal skillsManagement Monitoring Policy and LawEmployabilityentrepreneurshipTD194-195CONTEST:CIENCIAS ECONÓMICAS [UNESCO]Renewable energy sourcesseed for startup0502 economics and businessComputingMilieux_COMPUTERSANDEDUCATIONGE1-350SociologyemployabilityCurriculumentrepreneurship educationMedical educationEnvironmental effects of industries and plantsComputingMilieux_THECOMPUTINGPROFESSIONRenewable Energy Sustainability and the Environmentbusiness.industry05 social sciencesSoft skillseducation for sustainable development050301 educationUNESCO::CIENCIAS ECONÓMICASemployability skillsEducation for sustainable developmentself-employmentEnvironmental sciencesbusinesssustainable entrepreneurship0503 educationInclusion (education)050203 business & management

description

How can higher education increase the employability of university students? We present a case study on an innovative training itinerary aimed to promote the participation of teaching staff to stimulate the creativity of students and enhance their employability skills. Students acquire the entrepreneurship competences by applying the problem-solving methodology to their innovative projects based on sustainable development. The participation in the contest shows a growing importance, with topics ranging from the more technical ones, such as nutrition innovation, science innovation, or sustainability, to the social projects, related to social services, inclusion, or services against gender violence, harassment, and bullying. The percentage of multidisciplinary teams increased from 38% in 2015 to 76% in 2019 and even more in finalist teams, a positive trend in improving soft skills. According to some testimonies, the acquisition of these entrepreneurship competences partially compensates for students&rsquo

10.3390/su12104004http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su12104004