As part of the implementation of the "EmployVET" project, carried out within the EU Erasmus+ Programme, the second partners meeting and study visit took place in Krško, Slovenia, from October 8th to 9th, 2024.
The project focuses on strengthening the role of employers in the vocational education system, with particular emphasis on practical training of students in companies. It brought together partners, VET experts and employers from Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The event was organized by the Območna obrtno-podjetniška zbornica Krško, the project’s lead partner, with the aim of providing participants with insights into the model of practical training for students and the cooperation between educational institutions and the business sector in Slovenia.
It is important to highlight that SERDA, as part of this study visit, had the honour and opportunity to bring along representatives from the Ministry of Education of the Sarajevo Canton, which was crucial for the direct transfer of the gained experiences and best practices to the level of education policy decision-makers in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
During the meeting, partners presented the progress of the activities carried out so far and discussed plans for the upcoming steps. The discussion focused on aligning work-based learning system with the needs of local labour markets and legislative frameworks, which is a key goal of the project.
The participants visited the School centre Krško-Sevnica, where they had the opportunity to see how the combination of theoretical and practical teaching is conducted in vocational schools in Slovenia. Special attention was given to the work-based learning system, which allows students to acquire practical skills from their first year of schooling through collaboration with employers.
The study visit also included tours of the companies Orodjarstvo Pečnik d.o.o. and GEN energy d.o.o., where participants gained insight into the implementation of practical training in the workplace. At Orodjarstvo Pečnik, it was highlighted that apprenticeship represent the most efficient way to train qualified workers, as it gradually introduces students to work processes from the very beginning of their education. GEN energy d.o.o. shared its experiences in educating professional staff in the energy sector, where practical training is essential for the specific needs of this industry, particularly in the context of nuclear energy production in Krško.
The participants expressed great satisfaction with the organization of the study visit and the level of development of vocational education in Slovenia, particularly emphasizing the importance of practical training in real working conditions for better preparation of students for the labour market, as well as the importance of cooperation between educational institutions and the business sector. This visit enabled the exchange of knowledge and practices among partners and opened opportunities for further improvement of vocational education and sustainable solutions in the participating countries.