The Entrepreneurial Skills Pass (ESP) is an international certification of skills and experiences for businesses eager to hire students with an entrepreneurial mindset.
Initiated with the support of the European Commission by JA Europe, the ESP is now a global initiative endorsed by the Organization of the American States and selected by the World Economic Forum as one of 16 Education 4.0 Lighthouses—examples of public-private collaborations that are reimagining the youth learning experience and can serve as inspiration for educators, parents, policymakers, and employers.
A Global Initiative
This is the first JA global microcredential—currently used in more than 50 countries—certifying that students have had a real entrepreneurship experience through the JA Company Program. A competence-based assessment allows students to reflect on their own progress, and a final test of skills validates and certifies their knowledge about running a business.
Europe: Austria, Belgium (FL), Belgium (FR), Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine
Africa: Cote d'Ivoire, Eswatini, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Americas: Argentina, Ecuador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay,
Middle East: Bahrain
Asia Pacific: Philippines
USA: Houston
““If I have two young persons, one with ESP and another one without, I would definitely present my client the one with ESP because he or she has proven to have the practice. ESP proves that you have not only read the theory but also that you have the practical experience.”
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ESP Components
ENTREPRENEURSHIP EXPERIENCE: The ESP enables students to take part in a practical entrepreneurial experience, the JA Company Program, an immersive experience that brings a business idea from concept to reality.
ASSESSING COMPETENCIES: During the JA Company Program, students use a self-assessment tool to assess their competences as they progress through the year.
CERTIFYING KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: At the end of the JA Company Program, students take a final exam to certify their business, economic and financial knowledge and skills.
Benefits to Employers
Why would employers seek entrepreneurial skills for non-entrepreneurial positions in their companies? Because savvy employers have long known that “intrapreneurs” (entrepreneurs who pursue a career in someone else’s company) make the best employees. Entrepreneurial innovators are unafraid of risks, are passionate and driven to solve any challenge, and are experienced at making the most of shoestring budgets and limited staff.
The ESP review and validation of skills demonstrates proven career competencies:
