The aim of the project is to increase professional, language and social competence of students from class 3 of 4-year technical school by their participation in 2-week placements in companies in Portugal and Sweden The project is to achieve and develop the following effects: -to promote employment of young people in Europe, especially students and graduates of vocational schools, -to promote vocational education as one of the European Committee’s priorities (as well as our project’s), -to equalize chances of Polish students in the European professional market, -to increase chances of Polish students in the local labour market, -to increase professional competence of our students, -to give our students international certificates acknowledging their professional and language skills, -to get familiar with new tools and methods of work, ways of problem solving thus increasing students’ creativity, -to compare technological and educational solutions implemented in foreign and Polish companies as well as in our school, -to get familiar with the real working environment of the EU, -to develop features and skills necessary in the labour market and in every-day life (self-reliance, openness, empathy, communication skills).
Foreign based placement was and still is an opportunity to build the European community without language or professional complexes, open for dialogue and experience exchange combined with crossing the borders. Students’ personal soft skills and competences and self-esteem increased which is very important in contemporary world. Those projects in the VET sector as well as professional training courses have been realized since 2016. During that time (including this project) 172 participants (including 8 teachers in job shadowing) took part in the KA1 VET projects. Currently the school has received accreditation in the VET sector and is realizing activities connected with mobility projects. Those project are part of the school’s strategy to give students a chance for direct contact with the professional market and employers. The project activities, observation of foreign companies’ operations, learning new solutions and work processes are a new experience and a way to increase professional skills for our students and teachers. As an educational institution we give students an opportunity to get familiar with the international professional market by leaving the school environment which simultaneously creates European attitudes.