For me it was a very interesting view into the organization of practical training in Deutcher Bundestag. I was impressed by the way they take care of the development of each student and enable him the opportunity to make progress in his areas also eg. in the development of personality, where he has a deficit (eg. special training to overcome stage fright for public speaking). They care for the candidates integral development, they organize team building activities, they organize joint sports training and allow him to participate in team in the major recreation sport events.In the Economic Chamber of Commerce it was interesting to me that they have wide competences, professional responsibilities and a very important role in vocational education.

In their society the education in the dual system is very appreciated. Candidates in the dual system are included in different levels of complexity of education system, including those who have interrupted their studies and this is not seen as a step backwards but the training and development of other skills.

1. Activity description (Summary of what was done that day)
   The IT-training at the Federal Ministries Deutcher Bundestag: Organization of dual training/recruitment/ support of learners/evaluation…,Chamber of Industry and Comerce: VET Busniess Partnerships, Role of Chamber of Commerce, Internships, Support of Work placement, Legal role of Chamber of Commerce
   
2. What did I learn from this activity? What insights did this new knowledge give to me in relation to school/organisation, learner and employer?
   On Federal Ministry – Federal Ministries: Deutscher Bundestag they presented to us with a way of selecting candidates who are learning in their establishment, and the scope and method of education of accepted candidates. They have a very unique wayofchoosing the candidates. The candidates perform logical and mathematical tests but they must perform one special test in a stressful situation during which they observe the reactions of candidates. They must be able to justify what they did, why they chose that solution and why they reacted in that way. For the learning contents and goals of the curriculum which can not covered by themselves (eg. small business, public speaking, preparing presentations, …) they hire external lecturers. Every year they have practical training for around 100 candidates studying in 11 different programmess at different levels of education.Training is divided into 2 parts: the official curriculum prescribed by the state and its own curriculum, which is linked to the specific work in parliament. Candidates are obliged to leave for 2 months for practical training abroad (eg. in Ireland). Students must write a daily record of the the number and topics in hours worked on practical training in the company.A visit to the German Economic&Craft Chamber – Chamber of Industry and Commerce Berlin: they cooperate with the schools in creating the curriculum and the Chamber has its representatives in final exam commissions. The members of the commissions must review all written work of the candidates on the final exam. They participate in the practical examination too. They try to help those students who dropped out of university and they try to return them to school again. For example in the dual system of education. They try very hard that young people succeed in education and then get a job. To achieve this, they are introducing more and more new projects.They also taking care of complex groups (immigrants, families with unemployed parents, families with only one parent, …). They also have a 2-year courses for simpler professions (eg. bike repairer , auxiliary worker in hotels …). When introducing new professions Chamber tends to make the proposed new professions included in the circle of existing occupations, rather than expanding the existing occupation’s circle. Excessive fragmentation of professions in their estimation is not good. Graduates can use the Chamber’s help with submission of a business plan to open his own craft. Chamber of Commerce is responsible only for the dual system, while it has no obligation to candidates who are educating in the school form.The final debate on impressions at the end of the study visit: German dual system is very different from ours, and also from the Irish system, which we already met. German fulltime system, in the light of practical training is very similar to ours and those in Ireland.

   We concluded that for now we should summarize and write our observations. The website, which will facilitate communication between participants is being created. The opinions we will share through the blog. During the visit of the whole group participants from each country must focus on the presentation of its own education system and the way how they manage the Practical Training at Company. We must consider three aspects: students, employers and schools. The next meeting of the working group from will be from13. – 17.4. in Slovenia. Overall conclusions we started writing after the last study visit, which will be in October in Ireland.
   

3. How did I feel about what was presented to me? What did I find innovative?
   What did I find difficult or challenging to do or understand and why?
   For me it was a very interesting view into the organization of practical training in Deutcher Bundestag. I was impressed by the way they take care of the development of each student and enable him the opportunity to make progress in his areas also eg. in the development of personality, where he has a deficit (eg. special training to overcome stage fright for public speaking). They care for the candidates integral development, they organize team building activities, they organize joint sports training and allow him to participate in team in the major recreation sport events.In the Economic Chamber of Commerce it was interesting to me that they have wide competences, professional responsibilities and a very important role in vocational education.In their society the education in the dual system is very appreciated. Candidates in the dual system are included in different levels of complexity of education system, including those who have interrupted their studies and this is not seen as a step backwards but the training and development of other skills.
   
4. What is working well and could be applied in my organisation and why? How would you go about doing this?
   For them good working atmosphere and well-being of everyone in the group is very important. In any case, the care for the integrated development of the young persons and not only for the development of professional competencies works well for them The candidate’s interaction and learning together at various levels of education with the same mentor in the dual system is also a good thing Students are encouraged to think about themselves, what would they like to do in their life, what skills and qualities they have developed. They are encouraged to be proud of themselves, of their knowledge, and all they have achieved.I believe that even in Slovenia are the cases when students on practical training are involved in working process like other colleagues in the various activities organized by a company for the development of human resources. However, I think that when we can do more in taking into account theabilities of individuals and enable them conditions and opportunities to make up any deficit and also give them opportunities to strengthen those areas where they are strong and they can do more.
   
5. What definitely would not work in my organisation and why?
   For now, we know the practice that in the dual system, there are only students in three-year vocational education. It is not impossible to run the dual system of education at higher levels.Craft Chamber and Chamber of Commerce in Slovenia are currently too weak on human resources and they do not have the conditions to be able to take jurisdictions and responsibilities in vocational education, as is the case in Germany.
   

Any additional comments
We do not have large enterprises with learning / training centers to work only with students in groups. Interestingly, several times throughout the study visit they highlight: “It is important to be at the right time in the right place.”