Plavčan, Minister of education, visited Podbrezová

MR. Peter Plavčan, Minister of Education, Science, Research a Sport of Slovakia visited Podbrezová

THIS IS THE WAY ALL BUSINESSES SHOULD BE RUN

On 9th of May, Mr. Peter Plavčan the Minister of Education, Science, Research and Sport of Slovakia visited Železiarne Podbrezová. His first trip was to a private school where among others Mr. Vladimir Soták, Chairman and CEO of the ŽP welcomed him. Minister toured the school, visited specialized classrooms and met with the students. Since he was very interested about the dual education system, which is working for us for years, he also visited the facilities where students acquire practical experience directly at the plant. Here, the production director Mr. Milos Dekrét accompanied the minister and explained to him in details how it works. This was followed by a workshop with the leadership of Železiarne Podbrezová and minister Plavčan visited our subsidiary ŽP VVC. At his farewell, we asked Minister Plavčan:

Mr. Peter Plavčan, the Minister of Education, Science, Research and Sport of Slovakia also visited the plant

What are your impressions of the visit of Železiarne Podbrezová and its private school?

- I am leaving having excellent impressions. I have not seen anything like that, despite the fact that I am in the education sector virtually since I graduated from university. I would like to see such a model of support for young people everywhere. I really liked it a lot. My impressions of the factory and school are superb. If there is talk about the dual education somewhere, it should look at least this way. This does not only prepares young people for work. This is like extended family. After graduation, graduates already know they have a job for sure, even though no one is pushing them into this. They can decide for themselves.

In this school, students receive as much as possible in order for them to be prepared for life, and they may feel reassured that the company will take care about them. Here, one can also feel the impact of the company on the region, social facilities, effect on the development of culture, sports. I am thrilled by what I saw here.

What would you recommend to others?

- We have agreed that we will do a conference "an example of good practice", as it is done within the EU. I will do everything in order to set also spending of EU funds, to try to set up a model that will also be applied in other schools. Slovak industry needs future employees and at the same time to consider the future of young people, but also the social and cultural aspects, as I have seen it here.

So what you have seen here, should serve as an example?

- All of these institutions that exist at this ironworks are a prime example of how companies should be operating today. I am absolutely thrilled by the material and technical furnishings of students and their level of preparation. Objective of the reform of education, which we are currently starting up, is the fact that the young ones would be happy to go to school and here it is a reality.

Quote: "I am leaving from here having excellent impression. I have not seen anything like that, despite the fact that I am in the education sector virtually since I graduated from university.