The cluster „INVEST in EDU” established

– Employers in special economic zones declared their will to take on around 4,5 thousand trainees. The collective of entrepreneurs, schools and local governments will allow us to effectively answer to the needs of labour market – said during the conference “Wiser. How to teach and train for economy.” Ilona Antoniszyn-Klik, the Vice-minister of Economy. During the meeting in Bolesławiec Wałbrzych Special Economic Zone’s Education Cluster “INVEST in EDU” was created.

The Ministry of National Education named the current school year as the year of vocational education. For development of this system of education over one billion euro will be allocated.

– around 900 million from the new EU perspective will be in disposition of Marshals of Provinces. Next 124 million euro are in the resort. The funds will be allocated among others for training periods – during the conference highlighted Joanna Kluzik-Rostkowska, The Minister of National Education. – Low birth rate can positively effect changes in vocational education as it forces bigger competition among schools. In order for schools to be able to answer to the needs of the market, cooperation with entrepreneurs is necessary. An important role here is assigned to special economic zones – adds the resort’s chief.

– Labour offices have information about the current needs on the market. But they cannot tell us what occupations will be needed in the perspective of next years. Economic zones due to their cooperation with entrepreneurs have this knowledge – states Ilona Antoniszyn-Klik. – Educational clusters will increase the efficiency of information flow. Ultimately there will be at least one cluster per province. It’s started with Dolnośląskie province where we already have two – says the Vice-minister of Economy.

Wałbrzych Special Economic Zone’s Education Cluster was created by 46 entities. The agreement was signed by entrepreneurs, representatives of schools and local governments.

– The Cluster’s role will be mainly to increase the accessibility of training periods and probations and also the promotion of vocational education – explains Barbara Kaśnikowska, the President of Wałbrzych’s zone. – We also hope that it will support the creation of so called patron classes where an entrepreneur can influence the education programme. Students on the other hand will get practical abilities and have access to modern technologies – adds the chief of WSEZ “INVEST-PARK”.

Some entrepreneurs already cooperate with vocational schools by equipping them and by preparing special offers of probations. During the conference they were awarded by The Ministry of Economy and by WSEZ “INVEST-PARK”. Among employers honoured were: Daicel Safety Systems Europe, Electrolux Poland, Faurecia Wałbrzych, FSB Piekarnia Strzegom, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Poland and ZPAS Group. Also schools were awarded: Technical School in Nowa Ruda, School Complex in Strzegom, Mechanical School Complex in Bolesławiec, School Complex number 1 in Świdnica, School Complex number 5 in Wałbrzych and Polytechnic School Complex “Energetyk” in Wałbrzych.