Development and implementation of professional practice at the Faculty of Forestry

Objectives:

1. Provide support to increase the employability of students of the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology in the labour market by enabling the acquisition of practical skills for work through the improvement and implementation of specific professional practice for 404 students,
2. Establish a Centre for Professional Practice at the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology,
3. Strengthening the competencies of 55 teachers and 4 mentors in cooperation with industry partners: Croatian Chamber of Forestry and Wood Technology Engineers, Competence Centre Ltd. for research and development and Wood cluster SLAVONIAN OAK.

Expected results of the project (acquisition of practical skills for 404 students of the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology; establishment of the Centre for Professional Practice of the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology and professional education of teachers of the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology in cooperation with industry partners) are significant and important steps in providing support and increasing the employability of students of the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology in the labour market, which is one of the goals of the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology.

 Project duration: 36 months (09.03.2020.-09.03.2023.)

 Project value: 3.902.617,14 HRK

Project description:

The purpose of the project is to provide support to increase the employability of students of the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology in the labour market by enabling the acquisition of practical skills for work through the improvement and implementation of professional practice. The project will provide 404 students of the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology to acquire practical skills and first work experience during their studies by participating in activities based on solving real problems in the sector. Students of the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology will acquire additional skills for more successful entry into the labour market through professional practice in the form of mentored practical work at the faculty, group multi-day field classes in companies and nature parks, and individual practice in companies for a month. Furthermore, a Centre for Professional Practice and Career Development will be established at the faculty with the purpose of assisting students in finding and organizing professional practice and helping them to orient themselves towards the labour market in accordance with their affinities, abilities, and competencies.

The project will also enable the equipping of a computer classroom and a workshop for professional practice for wood technology students. In addition to the existing modern 5-axis CNC machine, and 3D scanner and printer, students will now have the opportunity to use a laser device for engraving and cutting.

Professional education of teachers, all in cooperation with industrial companies, and mentors from companies will achieve the interconnection of higher education with the labour market, which is necessary and extremely important in the education of future experts in forestry, urban forestry, and wood technology.

The implementation of this project will enable students to acquire skills and experience through professional practice by participating in activities based on real problems. Cooperation with employers will enable Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology to increase the relevance of the curriculum while increasing the student’s ability to access quality learning through work. Furthermore, the implementation of this project directly contributes to the goals of priorities in the field of education as it improves the quality of the education system and improves its efficiency and compliance with labour market needs.

The content of the press release is the sole responsibility of Competence Centre Ltd. for research and development.

The project was co-financed by the European Union under the European Social Fund.