1. Practical Work/Internship as a part of study programme
Mg.paed., Assistant Professor Inga BRASLA
Director of study programmes “International Trade and Logistics”,
“Innovative Economics and Entrepreneurship”
12 September, 2017, RIGA
SPIDE

2. Personal background
What we have done so far
What we can/have to improve

3. Personal background Newcomer in accademic world (since 2013 only)
co-owner of the transport and logistics company SPEDAIR / GREENCARRIER
Newcomer in the accademic world - Does it help or interfere?

4. One of the main duties besides airfreight business development - has been personnel recruitment, staff training
experience during business years helps to understand both - employers and potential employees (=students) today

5. Education is not completely strange thing for me 

6. An internship : wonderful and effective way to connect students academic experience with the professional work arena. It allows to gain valuable exposure to the workplace, provides the opportunity for skill development, and gives a competitive edge in the job search.

7. Colaboration with employers – two way traffic
EKA
employer
student

8. Reviewers of graduation papers
Employers EKA
internship
Visiting lectures
Study tours
Reviewers of graduation papers

9. Reviewer of graduation paper
Study tour
internship
Reviewer of graduation paper
Colaboration with employers:
Study tours in the companies
Internship in their companies
Questioneers = feedback about our students
Visiting lectures
Reviewers of graduation papers
Members of qualification commisions

10. EKA Employer Lectures of EKA staff in the companies
Any other suggestions?

11. SkillsLatvia
organised by the State Education Development Agency (VIAA) and this year was the first event of this scale in Latvia focused on vocational education and emphasising the importance of acquired skills and excellence on the labour market.
For VET schools this is an opportunity to evaluate the content and attractiveness of their study programs among young people, but for future students this is a platform from where they can make their career choice and get acquainted with various professions.

13. ++
Being creative - How to ilustrate logistics not in real environment
Our students involved in demonstrations (both – learning themselves and advertising their profession/school for others)
New contacts with potential students and career consultants from schools all over country

14. Collaboration with graduates
As Guest and/or Visiting lecturers
When speaking pubically, stress that have graduated EKA
Graduates offering internship vacancies for our students
Have to continue the register of graduates to prove the moto of EKA
Making future industry leaders
Normunds Kozlovskis

15. Internship / graduation job
26 weeks // 16 weeks (depends on program)
Students finding companies themselves
EKA suggests/offers
Student is already an employee

16. Students’ expectations
would like EKA offers internship places
at the moment only in few cases

17. Pluses
++ if student has to find internship him-/herself
++ school secures internship companies
develop their skills to write CV, application, and approach the company
Student’s responsibility is higher
Quality guarantee
More objective feedback
Jolantas piemērs

18. Minuses Not always the company chosen corresponds to the requirements
- - student has to find internship him- /herself
- - school secures internship companies
Not always the company chosen corresponds to the requirements
Student’s evaluation not objective = formal
Student gets everything with no personal efforts
School ‘risks’ with its reputation

19. Problems Lack of pedagogical skills «waste of time»
Employers
school
Lack of pedagogical skills
«waste of time»
Instructors not paid
Busy doing business
Have to sign agreements with employers
Many companies having complicated hierarhy (long process of signing the agreement)

20. Employer’s expectations
Student is a qualified personnel working without any salary

21. In case EKA offers companies for internship :
Data base of companies willing to accept our students and agreements accordingly
We have to guarantee the quality of our students

22. Positive stories Employers visit EKA: students visit companies:
- Study tours
- Internship
Employers visit EKA:
- Visiting lectures
- Members of qualification commision
- Reviewers of graduation papers

23. How to improve the cooperation with employers
give them chance to interview the potential «employee»
Provide some training on basic pedagogical skills
Work together on best questioneer about results of internship
Organize conferences where all parties involved express their opinion

24. Benefits for employers
Chance to choose and assess the students themselves Student on internship is eventual/potential employee Students not only are learning but working at the company Costsaving (not paying for recruitment) Company’s image – investing in education

25. Thank you for attention and your input into the subject
Thank you for attention and your input into the subject ! Let’s try somthing practical …