In the autumn (11.11.2019-22.11.2019), a foreign internship was carried out as part of the project entitled „Young people from SOSW in Szymbark actively improve their competences”, which is financed by the Erasmus+ sector Vocational Education and Training.

Within the framework of this project, a group of 20 students of SOSW in Szymbark, trained in the profession of gardening technician, agricultural technician, cook technician and hotel service assistant, carried out planned professional activities.

Students of these courses have completed mandatory apprenticeships, which are part of the programme. The main objective of the project was to create professional development opportunities for 20 students studying in the following fields: gardening technician, agricultural technician, cook technician and hotel service assistant, through the preparation and implementation in cooperation with partners from Greece of a 12-day foreign apprenticeship, as well as support for those participants who are facing the prospect of entering the labour market by creating opportunities for professional development, gaining new professional experience, raising general knowledge, increasing motivation to act and self-confidence.

As part of the mobility, there were also a number of optional excursions, which included a visit to the „airborne” monastery complex – The so-called Meteors, a Byzantine icon factory, a boat trip to Skiathos Island and a visit to Platamon Castle and the picturesque village of Paleos Panteleomonos as part of local attractions.

An important aspect of mobility was also the process of monitoring the practice by teachers and representatives of partner organisations, who checked the implementation of the internship programme, filling in project documents, such as practice diaries. Moreover, thanks to all the implemented measures, it was possible to assess the educational and practical training results, as well as to provide students with certificates and other documents confirming the acquired competences.

All participants in the project have acquired or developed their language competences, developed teamwork skills during the implementation of professional tasks, broadened cultural awareness and tolerance to cultural or racial differences. Their responsibility for their own development has also increased, as well as the development of entrepreneurship and social and professional activity.

Find out more about what happened during the project on the school’s Facebook fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/Młodzież-z-SOSW-w-Szymbarku-aktywnie-podnosi-swoje-kompetencje

Between 11 and 22 November 2019, a group of 20 students from SOSW in Szymbark, studying gardening technician, farmer technician, cook technician and hotel service assistant, took part in a 12-day internship abroad, carried out as part of the project „Young people from SOSW in Szymbark actively improve their competences”.

During this time, the project participants implemented an apprenticeship programme, improving their existing professional skills, but also gaining new experience.

The Cook Technician has acquired such professional skills as:

– learning the principles of operation of the catering facilities and their equipment;

– getting to know the service activities of local catering establishments;

– getting to know the principles of rational nutrition;

– the ability to work in different positions – cook, kitchen assistant;

– getting to know the principles of serving and serving meals;

– getting to know the rules and procedures of serving a restaurant guest;

– getting to know the principles and process of preparing a restaurant room;

– getting to know the principles of work schedule preparation at different workstations – restaurant, kitchen, kitchen helper

The gardener technician has acquired such professional skills as:

– learning about the principles of gardening equipment and its purpose;

– designing, implementing and maintaining the arrangement of hotel gardens;

– getting to know the principles of performing care and sowing treatments;

– getting to know the principles of arrangement of green areas depending on their location and purpose;

– ability to perform care work on shrubs, trees, green areas;

– getting to know the principles of gardening crop storage;

– to learn the principles of operation of chemicals used in cultivation and plant protection

A agricultural technician has acquired such professional skills as:

– getting to know machines and equipment for cultivation, sowing, fertilization, plant care;

– planning and organizing the plant and animal production process on the farm;

– the ability to select crop treatments for the crop, including the use of methods to prevent and control diseases, pests and weeds and the use of chemical preparations.

– ability to carry out appropriate work in livestock production using machinery and equipment,

– ability to plan and organise the plant and animal production process on the farm.

A hotel service assistant has acquired such professional skills as:

– getting to know the rules of hotel guest service;

– getting to know and performing types of cleaning work;

– to learn the principles of taking care of guests’ belongings and property in accordance with regulations and applicable standards;

– to get acquainted with the service activities of local hotel establishments;

– the ability to work in different positions in the hotel restaurant;

– getting to know the techniques of serving and dispensing dishes and drinks;

– getting to know the principles of preparing and serving hotel meals with the use of equipment and auxiliary devices;

– getting to know the principles of selecting tableware and cutlery for selected dishes;

– getting to know the principles of accepting and fulfilling orders for restaurant services;

– ability to work in different positions during housekeeping;

In addition, participants had the opportunity to take part in a cultural programme implemented in cooperation with the institutions involved. During the two days of the weekend, students had the opportunity to visit the complex of monasteries built on the rocks of the so-called Meteors, a cruise with Captain Kostas and the crew of Elizavet Cruises to the picturesque island of Skiathos. And during local excursions and walks they could see Platamon Castle as well as the village enchanted in the stone Paleos Panteleimonos.

A group of 20 students from the Specjalnego Ośrodka Szkolno-Wychowawczego im. J. Korczaka in Szymbark, who are trained in the profession of gardener technician, agricultural technician, cook technician and hotel service assistant, will take part in the project entitled „Young people from SOSW in Szymbark actively improve their competences” implemented in the period 09-2019 – 10-2020 in Greece.

The basic educational objectives of the project are professional development of the participants

– getting acquainted with the functioning of agricultural, gardening or catering services in companies cooperating with local and international contractors;

– getting to know the methods of management and organization of work and orders and deliveries on particular the levels of operation of the company concerned;

– the development of professional contacts which will enable interested parties to establish further international cooperation in the field of gardening, agriculture or catering.

2. developing language skills

– practical application of English and Greek in everyday life;

– development of vocabulary related to the profession.

3. developing intercultural competences

– establishing contacts with peers from abroad – exchange of experiences

– to learn about the history and culture of Greece

– ability to acclimate to a different cultural environment

The main objective of the project is the comprehensive personal and professional development of the trainees. Increase of entrepreneurship, creativity as well as development of professional competences. The internship, in addition to valuable and measurable development of professional competences, gives the opportunity to get to know another country, its culture, history and language. The diversity of climatic and natural conditions, the specificity of perceiving differences and similarities between individual countries and expanding the perspective of perceiving the world is an added value in itself. For many of the participants it will be the only such opportunity to go and bring positive changes to their lives.