In our first year with the Erasmus+ project, we focused on supporting the education and professional development of our teaching staff. We offered them professional training and workshops in an international environment, focusing on the latest trends in vocational education and the use of IT technologies in teaching. We wanted to give them the opportunity to get acquainted with new teaching methods such as CLIL, PBL, formative assessment or supporting students' critical thinking in teaching. We wanted to offer language courses to vocational teachers with native speakers and foreign colleagues in order to increase their knowledge and confidence in using foreign languages. We hoped that their personal satisfaction of success and their ability to cope with a new situation would motivate colleagues who were previously afraid or apprehensive about going abroad during the final presentation. We also hoped to make valuable contacts that could lead to future partnerships or collaboration on interesting projects.
Our school provides a comprehensive offer of polytechnic education with a permeability between the different disciplines during the course of study according to the abilities and interests of the students. We offer secondary education culminating in the Baccalaureate examination in the fields of Mechanical Engineering, CNC Programmer, Logistics and Financial Services (newly opened this year) and Operations Technology (extension studies), (EQF4). We also offer secondary vocational education culminating in the acquisition of a certificate of completion in the fields of Locksmith, Auto Electrician, Car Mechanic, Car Painter, Body Painter and Metalworker (EQF3). The school also offers higher vocational training in technical and economic fields (EQF6). Teaching at the school is combined, i.e. alternating between theoretical teaching and vocational training. We entered the Erasmus+ project primarily because our school needs teachers who will strive to maintain a high level of education in a rapidly changing technological environment. Teachers who will have the opportunity to make international contacts and build networks with colleagues and professionals, which can lead to long-term partnerships and collaboration on joint projects.