Study trip #8: Hans-Wilsdorf School - Governmental Vocational School (DE)

Our Czech and German partners from the University of West Bohemia in Plzeň and from Burgenland District carry on our investigation of good practices across Europe.

On December 11th they met in Kulmbach in order to visit the project "Hans-Wilsdorf School - Governmental Vocational School": the aim of the project is to help young refugees, asylum seekers and EU-migrants between 16-21 into the education and apprenticeship.

The Hans-Wilsdorf School in Kulmbach offers the students German classes and the possibility to get an official CEFR certificate (A1-B1).
During this two-years-program at the school, the students learn an occupation in the following sectors: construction and woodwork, automotive technology, maintenance and metal, kitchen and nutrition, and economy and administration. They can also acquire an official school diploma.

Furthermore, the school educates in general education, moral values like tolerance or equal rights, and promote their intercultural competences, all of this with the support of a social worker who advises them on finding an appropriate internship or training position after prior competence and potential analysis, offers individual coaching and supports the participants in the recognition of qualifications acquired abroad.

An essential element for the successful implementation of the project is the close cooperation with regional companies in which the participants can take part in introductory internships, internships or aptitude tests, the recognition of foreign vocational qualifications, vocational orientation or initial qualification as a prerequisite for vocational training. Only in this way can be ensured that the participants are also prepared for their everyday work in a demand-oriented manner.

Download a detailed description of good practices in the Document section.