ANALYSIS OF YOUTH PERCEPTION OF ENTREPRENEURIAL OPPORTUNITIES AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION

Abstract

The development of entrepreneurial talent is important to maintain a competitive advantage in today’s global economy that is driven by innovation.
In order to promote entrepreneurial culture among young people it is crucial to know more about the attitudes of young people, their awareness and aspirations towards entrepreneurship as a career. Since traditional careers as job for life are becoming increasingly rare, youth entrepreneurship is considered as mean of integrating young people into the labour market and to overcome poverty. The target population of this research were young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina, primarily students between 18 and 30 years of age. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire which was distributed online and in print form. Questions were formed on the principle of Likert scale. The research results show that young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina do not perceive good opportunities for starting a business and do not see own business as a way to solve their unemployment problem. Entrepreneurship ceases to be a desirable career choice for young people because, according to their perception, the society does not value and does not promote entrepreneurship. Universities are failing to provide the necessary knowledge in the field of entrepreneurship and developmentof entrepreneurial skills and abilities is almost non-existent. In order to improve and promote entrepreneurship and the concept of own business as a desirable career choice it is necessary to change the curriculum. Education of young people about enterprising and entrepreneurship represents a highly valuable preparation for the constant changes in the labour market. Entrepreneurial education is crucial in order to help young people to develop entrepreneurial skills, attributes and behaviour, as well as to embrace entrepreneurship as a career option.