Thanks to an EU grant of nearly €125,000, students of the Construction Technical School and Landscape Architecture Technical School completed a placement in Leipzig, Germany. “We worked in three different places: at a stadium, by a lake and at the zoo,” says Anita Pirożek. “We learned to do our work well and reliably. The atmosphere was almost like a family; everyone treated us as equals,” adds Grzegorz Furtak.

The young construction students learned about modern technologies. “We also learned better work organisation. Everyone knew what they had to do,” says Tomasz Tylecki. They communicated with their supervisors both in German and in English. “The communication was very good,” the ZSB student emphasises.

The trip to Leipzig was a kind of test of resourcefulness. The students—far from home and in a large city—had to cook for themselves, among other things. “They coped excellently,” Danuta Jurkiewicz, a vocational-subjects teacher, tells the IstotneInformacje.pl portal. “We received a great many compliments from the employers,” adds Anna Prostak, a German-language teacher.

Moreover, Dom Europejski provided the trainees with many cultural attractions. The ZSB students learned about Saxon customs, had the opportunity to visit museums and also take part in the opening of Leipzig’s Christmas market.

After completing their placements, the students received Europass certificates. “It will be easier for us to find work abroad,” says Kinga Gil, a Landscape Architecture Technical School student. “These certificates open a window onto the world for them. I hope many of them will take advantage of this,” adds Anna Prostak.

“Our students have gone abroad for placements for the sixth time,” says Jacek Jurkiewicz, director of the Construction School Complex. – “This year, the financial remuneration was exceptionally high.” In Germany, the trainees received €600 in pocket money, and after their return the Bolesławiec County Office paid them more than PLN 1,000.

The ZSB students were so pleased with their placements that they funded a camera for the school.

(information: ii)