In 2012 there was a threat of closing a school (apprentice training center) in the Letohrad. A major of the city initiated negotiations with the local companies to open up the question - what can they do together to keep the school open? What can they do so educational programmes
Publish: 3.12.2018
Author: Adéla Zehringerová
In 2012 there was a threat of closing a school (apprentice training center) in the Letohrad. A major of the city initiated negotiations with the local companies to open up the question – what can they do together to keep the school open? What can they do so educational programs would meet the requirements and needs of employers and how to keep young people in the region?
The involved parties joined together to form a Consortium of employers of Orlicko and compiled an offer for the schools and students, giving them opportunities for better application in the labor market. Means of practical education, part-time jobs, and support in the form of scholarships have a specific character and are abundantly used. However, just to create an offer is not enough a lot of its success is owed to the media and information campaign. Companies’ representatives, as well as schools and city representatives, regularly meet and communicate with students and parents. They present to them opportunities for application in different educational fields and connected work opportunities.
Collaboration with schools gives companies benefits in the form of qualified and skilled workers for whom there is still a high demand. Schools offer their students education backed by real-life practice. Benefits for local communities are also tangible – citizens have the necessary education and work in close distance to their homes, hence they don’t have to move out to bigger cities to get them. The population does not dwindle but slightly rises.
In 2015, the Consortium played a major role in the opening of a new field of study with a school final exam: The technical engineering at a Secondary technical school in Letohrad, which reflects the real needs of companies, and the companies are, in turn, a guarantor of the professional practice.