Barriers to youth entrepreneurship at a vocational education and training (VET) institute in Malta

Abstract

This quantitative research study examines the barriers impeding youth entrepreneurship within a Vocational Education and Training (VET) Institute in Malta, the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) in Paola. Youth entrepreneurship is crucial for economic growth and innovation, yet obstacles within educational institutions can hinder young people’s entrepreneurial efforts. This study attempts to identify and examine the particular barriers that young people from Malta face while trying to start entrepreneurial projects while attending a Vocational Education and Training (VET) Institute. The researcher’s selection of inappropriate teaching methods, lack of entrepreneurial support, inappropriate syllabi and content, and students' limited exposure to business and entrepreneurship as the focal barriers stems from their critical roles in shaping the entrepreneurial mindset and skills of youth within Vocational Education and Training (VET) Institute in Malta. These barriers represent key impediments to the cultivation of entrepreneurial aspirations and competencies among students, thereby inhibiting their potential to thrive as future entrepreneurs. Data was gathered from a sample of full-time students attending the Institute of Business Management and Commerce (IBMC) and enrolled in different advanced diploma programmes using a structured questionnaire. Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics and inferential techniques, were used to evaluate the data and investigate correlations between variables. This research adds to the current body of knowledge by offering practical observations on the particular obstacles encountered by young entrepreneurs in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) Institute environment in Malta. The results have significance for policymakers, educators, and stakeholders that are involved in creating a supportive environment for youth entrepreneurship in Malta to enhance economic growth, innovation, and sustainable development.