At the beginning of October, six part-time students from the Practical Vocational Education Teacher Training programme and two lecturers in environmental education from the Institute of Education and Counselling at CZU Prague took part in a practical internship in Austria as part of the OP JAK project.
During their stay, they visited several secondary vocational schools in Tyrol, Vienna and Hollabrunn. They had the opportunity to observe lessons and practical demonstrations in baking, first aid and woodworking. They also explored practical teaching methods in cooking, plant care and food processing. Highlights included a visit to a school farm specialising in cattle breeding and modern training facilities, including a school dairy, cheese-making facility and winery.
However, the aim of the placement went beyond classroom observation. The students shadowed teachers in their daily work, explored different approaches to vocational education and exchanged experiences with their Austrian colleagues. They also focused on the Austrian schools’ priorities in education - sustainability, well-being of pupils and teachers, the use of modern technologies and the integration of theoretical knowledge with practical skills.
The placement provided valuable inspiration for the students’ future teaching careers and an opportunity to gain first-hand insight into the Austrian vocational education system. There was also time to explore Austria, from the beautiful natural scenery of the Karwendel Alps to Vienna’s historic city centre.
