A meeting devoted to the “Modernisation of Vocational Education in Lower Silesia” project was held on Monday, 21 January, at the Major Henryk Sucharski General and Vocational School Complex in Bolesławiec. The conference was attended by, among others, Lower Silesian Marshal’s Office Deputy Marshal Radosław Mołoń, Director of the Education and Science Department of the Marshal’s Office of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship Jerzy Więcławski, County Head Cezary Przybylski, Deputy County Head Stanisław Chwojnicki, Chairman of the Bolesławiec County Council Karol Stasik, County Board member Dariusz Kwaśniewski, Head of the Education, Culture, Physical Culture and Sport Department of the County Office Alicja Krzyszczak, ZSOiZ principal Laura Słocka-Przydróżna, as well as directors of educational institutions and businesspeople.
Cezary Przybylski spoke. “The ‘Modernisation of Vocational Education in Lower Silesia’ is one of the most important regional projects,” he stressed. “The idea of doing something about vocational education had been on our minds for a long time. The education authorities pointed the finger at us because, in their opinion, we were the county with too much vocational education. Now, however, it turns out that Wrocław, which abolished vocational education, is having trouble rebuilding it, while we have continued to develop vocational education.
“This project would not have been such a success without the support of the regional authorities,” the county head continued. He noted that many people associated with the Marshal’s Office of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship had been involved in the project: Andrzej Łoś, Piotr Borys, Marek Łapiński, Jerzy Łużniak, Zenon Tagowski, Grzegorz Łyczko, Małgorzata Jeżewska, Rafał Jurkowlaniec and Radosław Mołoń, Jerzy Więcławski and Małgorzata Medyk. “On behalf of all county heads and teachers, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks,” Przybylski added.
Radosław Mołoń stressed that the project had been implemented across political divisions. “The substantive aspect of the undertaking was important—the things we could do for the young residents of Lower Silesia,” he said. “When vocational education was being abolished in the region, Bolesławiec County refused to follow suit. It deserves applause for that consistency. Today it turns out that it was right.
“This is the largest project in Poland devoted to vocational education,” the deputy marshal said. “An initiative that enables young people to learn using the most modern equipment is valuable in its own right. It is an opportunity both for young people and for employers. We should continue this work. It is worth adding that the project was assessed very positively by the European Commission. The Ministry of Regional Development will recommend it to the other 15 voivodeships.
“I bow my head to those managing vocational education in Bolesławiec; for many years they have consulted their activities with business organisations,” noted Karol Stasik, president of the “Bolesławiec” Ceramic Plants and head of the Bolesławiec Business Association. “The result of these consultations was the decision that there was no need to rush the closure of vocational schools. I am very pleased that, thanks to the ‘Modernisation of Vocational Education in Lower Silesia’ project, the standard of education will improve radically.
Dariusz Kwaśniewski presented the project’s objectives and results, while Alicja Krzyszczak discussed the organisation of vocational education in the county.
Laura Słocka-Przydróżna also spoke, mentioning that this school year ZSOiZ students would complete 150 placements with employers. Eight vocational study trips and around seven projects of this type are planned, as well as various qualification courses. “We visit various hotels, restaurants and trade fairs. Our students go to specialist classes held at various higher-education institutions. A total of 205 ZSOiZ students have completed courses in barista skills, bartending, nail styling, make-up, Photoshop, carving, operating cash registers and floristry,” she said. “Our workshops have been equipped with additional equipment [więcej na ten temat w materiale ZSOiZ: najlepiej wyposażona szkoła w regionie – przyp. ii]. All this translates into educational outcomes. In every occupation, our results are several to several dozen per cent better than those in the voivodeship.
Representatives of the Lower Silesian authorities also visited the workshops of the Mechanical School Complex and the Electronic School Complex.
(information: ii)