Project “azubi-europa“

by Thomas Lehmann

Trainee as express and postal service manager

Rijeka, CroatiaWarsaw, Poland17/06/13

-28/06/13

Index

- 17/0613: Trip from Halle/Saale to Warsaw

- Statistical facts about Poland

- 18/06/13: Home for the elderly “Fundacja Gniazdo“

- 19/06/13: Vocational school for economy and technics in Warsaw

- 20/06/13: Vocational school for technics and informatics in Warsaw

- 21/06/13: Marflex - M. J. Maillis Group

- 21/06/13: German-Polish Chamber of Commerce (AHK)

- 22/06/13: Trip from Warsaw via Zadar to Rijeka

Index

- Statistical facts about Croatia

- 23/06/13: Rijeka: urban exploration

- 24/06/13: Victor Lenac Shipyard

- 26/06/13: Home for the elderly “Vitanova“ in Rijeka

- 27/06/13: Croatian Chamber of Economy Rijeka

- 28/06/13: Trip from Rijeka to Halle/Saale

- Résumé

- Sources

Trip from Halle/Saale to Warsaw

Statistical facts about Poland

Capital: Warsaw

Official Language: Polish

Government: parliamentary republic

President: Donald Tusk

Area: 312,679 km²

Population: 38,54 million

GDP per capita: € 8,000

Currency: zloty (1,00 EUR = 4,2 PLN)

Calling Code: +48

Internet TLD: .pl

(Feb. 2013)

Home for the elderly “Fundacja Gniazdo“

Pastor Wysocki got the blessing of Pope John Paul II to build a home for the elderly people in 1989. He got problems to find sponsors, so the house was built in 2000. 30 elderly people are living in this house at the moment. This house has a high standard in Poland and is subsidized by the state.

On Tuesday we went to the edge of Warsaw. We got a guidance through the home for the elderly “Fundacja Gniazdo“.

Vocational schools in Warsaw

On the 3rd and 4th day we visited two vocational schools in Warsaw. The vocational school for economy and technics and the vocational school for technics and informatics. In both schools we conducted a presentation about the German school system in English language. A group of teachers and students of both schools showed us the buildings.

The vocational education in Poland is centralized and in process of reorganisation. There is not such a dual system like in Germany. You need a completion of the 8th grade to start a vocational education. It takes about two years and you get no loan. It is possible to do a practical work during the summer break.

The Chamber of Commerce does not have such a great influence on the learning content like in Germany. That's why, this education has no high standing and most of the students are going to study at university. There are educated professions which don't match the espectations of the job market. So there is a high youth unemployment (26% in the year 2013)

The standard of the equipment in both vocational schools we visited is very high. The students have the opportunity to learn on the same high level like in Germany.

Vocational schools in Warsaw

vocational school for economy and technics vocational school for technics and informatics

Marflex - M. J. Maillis Group

Stretch film is used in many industries, from food and beverages to bricks to secure goods on pallets. PP strap is used mainly as strapping material for packaging of small size cargo less than 500 kg.

The quality of the equipment is at the same level as production facilities in Germany.

On the last day in Warsaw we visited Marflex. The production manager conducted a presentation and showed us the pruduction halls.

Marflex is one of the world's leading stretch film and PP straps producing company. They have more than 1,500 employees and 20,000 customers around the world. Most of the 13 production facilities are in Europe.

German-Polish Chamber of Commerce (AHK)

The AHK is a service provider which provides market-related advice and support in commercial enquiries.

The AHK supports small and medium sized enterprises with no or few experience abroad, which are trying to set up a foreign base. The Chamber establishes connections to other companies, indicates locations etc.

At the AHK you could also get information about the infrastructure, growth sectors and legal advice.

Trip from Warsaw via Zadar to Rijeka

Statistical facts about Croatia

Capital: Zagreb

Official Language: Croatian

Government: unitary parliamentary constitutional republic

President: Ivo Josipović

Area: 56,538 km²

Population: 4,29 million

GDP per capita: € 10,000

Currency: kuna (1,00 EUR = 7,5 HRK)

Calling Code: +385

Internet TLD: .hr

(Mar. 2013)

Rijeka: urban exploration

At the weekend we prepared a sightseeing walk in English language and presented it to our trainer Mrs. Kaufhold.

The Church of St. JeromeThe leaning TowerThe City Tower

The Church of St. Vito

View over Rijeka

Victor Lenac Shipyard

The most important harbour of Croatia is in Rijeka. So there is also the most important shipyard of Croatia and the Adriatic sea. Being close to the Mediterranean Sea, to Asia (Suez Canal) and to Europe, Rijeka is an important position for shipping.

The Victor Lenac Shipyard was founded in 1896 under the name Lazarus. In 1993 it was privatized. They are able to repair all sizes of carriers at 3 dry docks and 11 shore cranes with customers all around the world. With more than 580 employees, Victor Lenac shipyard is the most popular employer in Rijeka.

On Monday we went to Victor Lenac Shipyard. The supervisor conducted a presentation and showed us the repair and assembling shops and the docks.

Home for the elderly “Vitanova“ in Rijeka

“Vitanova“ was opened in 2007 and is a private corporation with 53 employees and about 80 residents. It is one of the best homes for the elderly in Croatia. There are one to four-bed rooms and bedrooms for temporary residents.

On Wednesday we visited the home for the elderly “Vitanova“. The managers showed us the buildings and living rooms. There is a nice ambiente inside and outside the buildings.

Croatian Chamber of Economy Rijeka

The Croatian Chamber of Commerce is almost the same like the German IHK. It is divided into 20 County Chambers and the membership is obligatory for all companies. It was founded in the 15th century.

Activities: representationco-ordination

promotiondevelopment of business relations

market informationlegal

adviceetc.

Enterprise Europe Network

The manager of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce also told us something about the EEN.

The EEN is a key instrument in the EU's strategy of boosting growth and jobs. There are 600 business support organisations frome more than 50 countries.

Services: Going internationalTechnology transfer

Access to financeResearch funding

Advice on EU law and standardsIntellectual property and patents

Speaking up on EU law

Trip from Rijeka to Halle/Saale

Résumé

Additionally, we got seminars on facts about Poland and Croatia, crosscultural communication, business English, business etiquette and presentation techniques.

During these two weeks we gained insights into the economy and the culture of the people in Central and Eastern European countries. We improved our knowledge of

foreign languages.

I am impressed with the hospitality and the high level of equipments in both countries.

The organization and accomodations were very good.

I would recommend this project. My special thanks and appreciation go to Mrs. Kaufhold for this experience.

Sources

http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/

http://een.ec.europa.eu/

conversations with employees and locals

information material by the companies and schools