Ict Tools for the Development of Entrepreneurial Competencies

In some European countries, a considerable part of young graduates remains without real employment opportunities. A possible solution for this problem might be self-employment. Such a solution, on the other hand, requires the development of entrepreneurial competencies. ICT tools, which young generations are very familiar with, can significantly contribute to the development of such competencies, as well as to the planning of an entrepreneurial career. In our study, we aim to define those ICT tools that are most commonly used by counsellors and teachers to develop entrepreneurial competencies for young people and for those who intend to start their own business and in order for them to be successful. The study has been carried out in seven EU countries (Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and UK), as well as in Turkey. The study reveals that in different countries different ICT support tools for the development of entrepreneurial competencies have been used. Which ICT tools are used in a country depends on many factors. In our study, we stress out that the use of specific ICT tools might be encouraged by (i) the development of career counsellors’ and teachers’ competencies for using the ICT tools, (ii) easiness of ICT tools use, and (iii) their availability and spread in a specific geographic area. Besides, the study finds out that (iv) ICT tools should upgrade previously used non-ICT tools focused on the entrepreneurial competencies development.