However there were not only the ten first-place leaders who have been rewarded receiving cheques amounting from 1.000 to 100 Euros. All 39 participants qualified for the final stage of the International competition have won as well. They have been rewarded with valuable experience and acquired with European Business Licence “a Licence to participate –  in economic and political conversations as well”, - as Victor Mihalic, the Head of European EBC*L Centre is convinced. The main topic of the final stage tested participants’ ability to join the club: consequences of current economic crisis and globalization, possible strategies how to face this challenge were the subjects of EBC*L tests.  The exam was not only very demanding but in addition had to be completed in English.

“Especially in the time of crisis European economy needs people who possess the core skill of “business thinking”. Intrapreneurship is a keyword nowadays. The business core competence verified by EBC*L certificate is an inevitable requirement for this”,- stressed Prof. Ortner from European Business Competence Curatorship  in his speech. Mr Heinz Herczeg, HR-Manager of Trenkwalder Personaldienste AG aligned himself with this opinion: “I think each manager of Trenkwalder must complete EBC*L exams. This business education is an essential element of in-firm training. We wish of course that our job applicants should already possess this core competence.” With these words Mr. Heinz Herczeg appealed to educational authorities to become more active in this field.

“That’s why initiatives such as EBC*L  Business certificate which motivates people to look into business management subject are so important”,- agreed Mrs Freismuth from the Ministery for Scientific Affairs and Mr. Rudolf Trefelik from the Chamber of Commerce of Vienna.