2017/2018 – ZS No. 4 in Tomaszów Lubelski

A group of 44 students from School Complex no. 4 in Tomaszow Lubelski, Poland took part in vocational training in Greece. The mobility within the project „Zagraniczne staże zawodowe gwarancją rozwoju regionu” / „Abroad vocational trainings as development guarantee of region” held between 23.10.2017 and 03.11.2017. Students, who participated in the project are educating in the professions of logistics technician (13 people), mechanics technician (15 people) and vehicle technician (16 people).

Two-week internship was organized in cooperation with Greek partner Kika Mobility Training Center and constituted an opportunity for the participants to develop their professional abilities in international environment. Students educating in the profession of mechanics technician learnt to apply and implement technologies concerning mechanics and steering. After the training they know how to prepare and analyze technological documentation, conduct assembly work and technological operations in terms of machining, plastic working and welding technologies. They acquired knowledge connected with selecting tools and conducting controlling and checking measurements with the use of measuring equipment. They also became familiar with the procedures of conducting mending and repair works of machines and their technical acceptance after the service. Participants are also able to define the use of CNC machines in the production of usable equipment and materials, such as screws, door and gates. Students educating in the profession of logistics technician developed their knowledge connected with preparation of trade and storage documentation. They also improved their abilities connected with the use of software applied in logistics and programs used in preparing databases, calculations and logistic costs analysis. After the training they are able to prepare pricing offers, analyze indicators connected with company functioning and organize logistic tasks comprehensively, including orders management – their collecting, preparing, documenting, transporting and accepting. Students educating in the profession of vehicle technician became familiar with the vehicle technical service, vehicle repair as well as with mechanical, electric and electronic equipment assessment in vehicles. They learnt to conduct diagnostic activities of vehicles with the use of specialist diagnostic equipment, including the interpretation of the results and calculation of repair costs. Students became also familiar with assessing the wear and damage level of vehicle elements and selecting elements and components on the basis of technical documentation.

Participation in vocational training abroad is not only about the professional development. Apart from the duties resulting from the internship schedule participants enhanced their cultural knowledge. During free time the whole group and three teachers too part in the cruise at Skiathos Island, where they could admire postcard-familiar image of Greece – full of white houses with blue accents. During the cruise the captain entertained them with Greek dances and encouraged to participate in the party. Considering the fact that the weather was perfect, everyone had a chance to swim in the sea at the ‘golden beach’ shining bright in the sun like millions of diamonds. Participants visited also famous, entered at UNESCO world’s cultural heritage list Meteora – monasteries settled high on the rocks. During the sightseeing with a guide participants got to know how those impressive buildings were made, why they have such a shape and how the lives of the monks looked like. After the training activities the whole group managed to go for a short trip to Thessaloniki – the second, concerning the size, city of Greece. During the journey students visited port, promenade, Alexander’s monument and White Tower. When staying in Greece students had a chance to try new cuisine. Tasting Greek dishes, such as moussaka or tzatziki they discovered new tastes. Also, the observation of different customs made them more sensitive towards cultural differences. In fact, not everywhere coffee is served along with a glass of water and the time after lunch is planned for siesta. Participants of the project learnt to perceive cultural differences in impartial way and treat them with respect, which was in much extent a result of friendly smiles at the faces of Greek friends. After the training duties students had also time for entertainment – sport tournaments, lessons of Greek dances or discos.

The stay abroad influenced also participants’ language skills. Everyday conversations and the time spent on training they were developing their English language use in practice, which enabled increased ease of communication, flexibility and overcoming fears concerning being misunderstood. Students developed the skills connected with effective communication and are more open towards new experience.

Mobility financed within a project “Transnational mobility of students and graduates, and the vocational training staff” realized from PO WER funds under the framework of Erasmus+ program, Vocational education and trainings section.