Warmia and Mazury Vocational Training Centre in Olsztyn

educational association –mission: to provide education, training and vocational development of adults and youth in terms of personal skills, professional qualifications and practical abilities non-profit NGO established in 1992 (roots back to 1946) DIN EN ISO 9001:2000

provides training services for: –SMEs –employees –unemployed –handicapped –branch associations –adults and youth initiates and supports implementation of innovations in the region

regional network of 12 local Centres of Education member of the national Association of VTCs

over 70 employees didactic staff of about 500 instructors, trainers and teachers over trainees per year

offer including over 600 training courses

building sector training facility

computer laboratories - local CISCO Academy

driving school

secondary schools high schools language school

transnational cooperation partners all over Europe

transnational cooperation several realised projects: –PHARE partnership –Socrates Grundtvig („Wizard toolbox”, „Namal 2”) –Leonardo da Vinci („Ex.So.Res”) –Halland model for conservation of buildings –CI EQUAL

national projects Training projects addressed to: –unemployed –inhabitants of rural areas –handicapped –social workers –SMEs –employees –prisoners –... Research projects

Warmia and Mazury region

Forests and lakes...

Demographics 1,4 mln inhabitants; low density: 59 persons/km2 (rural areas: 11 persons/km2); high birth-rate (2nd best in Poland); young population (36% below 25 years, 11,4% above 65 years); poor education (nearly 5% with no education, 41% with basic education and just 8% with higher education); low income

Geography km2; 55% - agricultural areas, 32% - woods, 6% - water, 3.5% housing; rural area: 97,5% (biggest rate in Poland); 60% - urban population; dominance of small towns; Green Lungs of Poland; few and poor natural resources; rich environmental resources.

Economy companies (mostly SMEs) low competitiveness of companies; low productivity; rather poor internal demand (due to low income); low industrialization level („Green Lungs”); poor communication (lack of airports, under-developed roads and railway).

Industry tourist region; main branches: –food production –wood and furniture production –tourism –tyres production (Michelin in Olsztyn) domination of small, private companies

VET in Warmia and Mazury several vocational schools; W-M ZDZ being the regional leader of vocational education and trainings; e-learning and blended learning systems still being developped and rather unknown (save for big international companies)

W-M ZDZ ul. Mickiewicza Olsztyn, Poland