The Barriers and Facilitators Impacting the Implementation of Curriculum Reforms in Higher Education for Sustainability

The escalating global youth unemployment rate, coupled with limited exposure to entrepreneurship education, exacerbates socio-economic challenges. This study thus explored how cultivating entrepreneurial mindsets through education can contribute to job creation. Using a systematic literature review approach, the study examined research published from 2014 to 2024, sourcing data from Google Scholar, EBSCOhost, ProQuest, Scopus, and Web of Science. Out of 1250 articles identified, 15 qualitative studies were selected for thematic analysis based on their relevance to the research objectives. It was found that limited exposure to entrepreneurship education significantly hampers efforts to attract youth to entrepreneurial activities. A lack of foundational knowledge of entrepreneurship reduces young people’s ability to respond to socio-economic challenges creatively, including recognising and acting on opportunities for self-employment. The review concluded that entrepreneurship education is critical in shifting students’ mindsets towards embracing entrepreneurship, enhancing job creation, and economic participation. Furthermore, the study emphasises that entrepreneurship education fosters essential cognitive characteristics such as creativity, risk-taking, and problem-solving skills crucial for successful entrepreneurial actions. Without integrating entrepreneurship education into higher education curricula, particularly at the undergraduate level, youth unemployment in South Africa is likely to persist. The study underscores the importance of mindset transformation in motivating youth to engage in entrepreneurial endeavours, and advocates for the inclusion of practical, experience-based education to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Keywords: Entrepreneurship education, economic growth, entrepreneurial mindset, youth unemployment