The 2nd Vocational Education Forum, attended by representatives of the Integrated Qualifications Register (IQR), is now behind us.

 On 19 November 2024, Kamila Pawłowska and Jelena Chotkiewicz had the honour of participating in the 2nd Vocational Education Forum, held at the Kazimierz Wielki School Complex in Mińsk Mazowiecki. The Forum was an excellent opportunity to exchange experiences on challenges in vocational education, career counselling, and the labour market.

It served as a space for the exchange of experiences between students, representatives of labour market institutions, universities, companies, and therapeutic centres. The discussions included topics related to career guidance, challenges in vocational education, and the role of social media. Much attention was also given to neurodiversity, which, as emphasised, constitutes potential for development in education and on the labour market.

ZRK as a tool supporting career guidance

As part of the Forum, Dr. Kamila Pawłowska gave a presentation titled *“The potential of ZRK – new tools for conducting career counselling lessons in schools.”* Her presentation aroused great interest, resulting in teachers signing up for workshops and in declarations from school management and teachers to cooperate in the coming months.

“The potential of ZRK is a huge opportunity to improve the quality of career counselling in schools. The ZRK tools enable effective support for young people in their educational and professional choices,” emphasised Kamila Pawłowska while presenting the advantages of the Register.

Insights from the debate on motivating young people to enter the labour market

A key point of the Forum was a debate on motivating young people to enter the labour market. The moderators asked students about their educational decisions and the choice of vocational education. Students pointed to several important aspects: “For us, the most important thing is the opportunity to work with teachers who are open to our needs. We also want to earn additional certificates that will help us on the labour market,” said one of the students.

The discussion also addressed the well-being of students and teachers. Students said they experience a sense of well-being when they can engage in activities outside school, such as integration trips or competitions. Teachers noted the importance of participating in EU-funded projects that enrich educational offering.

Young people on the labour market – how to support their development?

The debate also touched on the characteristics of a good employer.
“For us, the most important things are empathy and understanding from employers. It’s important that the employer supports our development and gives us opportunities to gain new skills,” said young participants of the Forum.

According to employers, young people should gain experience through internships and apprenticeships, which better prepare them for their professions.
“It’s worth engaging in initiatives like this Forum, which develop soft skills and help build a network of contacts,” noted one entrepreneur.

Expectations and challenges for schools

During the Forum, both students and teachers emphasised that schools should be open to cooperation with employers. Students noted that, besides theoretical knowledge, practical skills are crucial to help them find their way in the job market.
“Vocational education can’t be limited to theory. It must give us practical skills useful in our future work,” said the students.

“We are looking for employers who understand our situation and support our development. It’s very important for us to feel that our work has meaning,” added one of the debate participants.

Summary

The 2nd Vocational Education Forum in Mińsk Mazowiecki was an important event in the calendar of vocational education activities. Thanks to the active participation of Kamila Pawłowska and Jelena Chotkiewicz, the Forum gained additional value, and the planned cooperation with the Kazimierz Wielki School Complex in Mińsk Mazowiecki looks promising. We hope this cooperation will bring inspiring meetings in the coming months.

More information and materials from the event are available at: https://forumksztalceniazawodowego.pl/.

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