For the first time in Moldova, a dual professional formation (apprenticeship at the workplace) system will be implemented in Moldova from September 1. The system will be piloted at Vocational School No. 5 in Balti municipality in cooperation with the German company Draexlmaier Automotive SRL, IPN has learned from the Ministry of Education.

At the suggestion of the company, three new occupations were included in the institution’s admission plan this year. Fifty-five places were offered for these three new jobs – electrofitter for teleautomatics dispatcher’s equipment, operator of semi-automatic and automatic machines tools, and operator of mechanized and automated devices. The students will study them in specially outfitted classrooms. They will be taught by teachers of Vocational School No. 5 and by employees of the company.

The students will be trained based on a curriculum worked out by Draxelmaier and approved by the Ministry of Education. Besides scholarship, the students will receive an apprentice allowance from the company, which will represent about 65% of the net salary of an employee of the company. Daexlmaier will also train teachers and masters of Vocational School No. 5.

According to Deputy Minister of Education Loretta Handrabura, the dual alternative will be developed during the next years, in cooperation with the economic entities interested in this form of studies. Emphasis in the training process is shifted from the vocational education institution to the company, which ensures the theoretical training and practice. Thus, skilled workers will be trained in real production conditions and the employment rate among young people in Moldova will increase. This system of learning was first used by Germany and Austria.