Publicat pe 28/09/2014

Interview with Mihai Daraban, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania

Mr. Mihai Daraban, the Romanian economy has a major handicap. For years, vocational education is not folded on its needs. What are the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania and in general the Chamber System solutions for this critical situation?

Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania is in advanced discussions with the Ministry of Education and has reached the stage of signing a protocol in order to take in hands the vocational education recording to the German model. In the future, the Ministry of Education will handle only the curriculum. While the Chambers of Commerce, together with businesses representatives, identify needs for labor on specific trades. The numbers of enrollment will not be set just to preserve existing departments, but according to market requirements. Chambers of Commerce will be a kind of mini-centers of vocational education planning. They shall establish, by promotion to another, the required manpower.

What are the advantages of direct involvement in vocational education?

The system brings predictability and safety both for business and for young people in training. Students will have the certitude that are trained for the jobs quested on the market. Once the qualification is obtained, the security of the job and employment practice will be ensured. Those who were selected in the professional system will have the job security from the very beginning.

What forms of support will be provided for the students?

The state will pay a monthly scholarship of 200 lei to each student. The companies will add to this state contribution their own support, as in scholarships or accommodation and meals during the studies.

Is there a material basis for future vocational education system?

We are taking into account the existing network of vocational schools that could be taken over by Chambers of Commerce. There is also the Chambers of Commerce infrastructure which has offices in all the regions of the country. But not the classrooms for theoretical courses were the big problem for the professional schools. In most cases, difficulties arose whan to ensure practice. The next system will solve this problem. Schools will have duration of three to four years, depending on the specialty. In the first year, the share classes will be 80% theory and 20% practice. In the last year, the raport is reversed. Together with the Ministry of Education we have adopted the German model. The Ministry translated German legislation of Land and the Federativ one as well. The German Chambers of Commerce have the coordinating and the finalization role of the certification courses. We will use an already existing system that has proved to be effective. We do not have the intention to invent another one. The concept exists, all we have todo is to take it and put it into practice.

When will the new training system you begin to work effectively ?

Probably in the fall of 2015. Until then there are lots to be done. You must clearly define the role of Chambers of Commerce and the Ministry of Education. The Education Law is not much to be changed. We have to changed the status of the Chambers. We also have to prepare material basis. It is important that businesses factors be aware that in the future, they depend on the number of graduates from vocational education. It’s well known that in 2007 – 2008, Constanta economy needed about 1,000 welders and vocational ensure just 10 welders.

This project is only the Chambers initiative? Does it have the support of the economic factors?

It’s unlikely the project not be supported by business environment, taking into account that start from its needs. Moreover, it is applied in Brasov. German investors in Romania have embraced the idea and put the system into practice. In collaboration the Romanian – German Chamber of Commerce established a private vocational school. It came to a competition of 16 candidates on the place. Romanian companies must follow this model.

Source: http://www.cugetliber.ro/stiri-economie-camerele-de-comert-vor-aplica-modelul-german-in-scolile-profesionale-224008?utm_source=cugetliber&utm_medium=site&utm_content=slider-main-item&utm_campaign=Slider%20-%20poza%20mare