Within the framework of the German "Vocational Education and Training (VET)-Cooperation in the South Caucasus" program, the "Business and Education Partnership" and "Miasin" foundations, KGSMSN Gyumri Vocational State School No. organized a Summer School for students of "Student Companies", apprentices and students of the "Family" center operating in institutions providing primary and secondary professional training.
Summer school had a purpose
- introduce the Apprenticeship and "Student/Student Fellowship" programs
- bring together students included in "Student/Student Societies", as well as apprentices and young people involved in ASU, support the creation and expansion of cooperative ties, exchange of experience
- promote the creation of the "Student/Student Company" model, its implementation in educational institutions and its publicization
- support the professional orientation and labor market guidance of teenagers and young people
- create national and regional cooperation between educational institutions, organizations, employers, employment agencies and other partners, create dialogue, strengthen knowledge and abilities in the business sector, form responsible behavior towards colleagues and team members
- facilitate the acquisition of new knowledge and skills through seminars, workshops and events on entrepreneurship, business plan, grant making, communication, teamwork
- contribute to the creation and development of the "School of Economy" (Business-Educational Institution) connection
- promote cooperation between educational institutions
- teach a healthy lifestyle through sports, particularly swimming lessons
- promote the development and promotion of apprenticeships.
The summer school was attended by Vocational School No. 4 of Gyumri, Vayots Dzor Regional, Yerevan Tourism, Service and Food Industry Armenian-Greek, Lori Regional, Berdi State Multipurpose, Yerevan Informatics State Colleges, Saratak Secondary School of Shirak Marz, Yerevan Movses Khorenatsi Primary No. 143, 41 students and pupils of the "Student/Student Societies" of secondary schools No. 8 named after An.Shirakatsi in Spitak, 80 students of the "Family" center, as well as 17 representatives from 15 educational institutions participating in the "Competitive Apprentice, Available Work" program of the Miasin Foundation from all regions of Armenia.
In the summer school, the young people had a meeting with Khachik Sahakyan, the president of "Ferti BC" NGO. Mr. Sahakyan conducted a seminar on the possibilities of using solar energy as an alternative source, its effectiveness and expediency. The members of the student companies of the Gyumri Vocational School No. 4 dealing with the installation of solar panels received answers to their professional, organizational, entrepreneurial and other exciting questions from the businessman. He presented the "Smart House" model, using which the students discussed the possibilities of implementing similar projects and introducing them to the market. The seminar aroused interest among the students and pupils of the participating educational institutions, who expressed their desire to have, if possible, student companies providing services in this field in their VET institutions.
The young people had a lesson-meeting with the president of the "Business and Education Partnership" Foundation, employer Marine Zhamkochian, who spoke about the peculiarities of the restaurant business, business successes and failures, and the important qualities of an entrepreneur. Armenuhi Khachatryan, the founder of "Blizzard" company, shared her experience and knowledge regarding the profession of "restaurateur" in the field of cooking with the students and pupils of "Student/Student Companies".
LevRim LLC businessman Anush Restakyan shared the secrets of confectionery and bread production. The students and pupils of "Student societies" and other VET institutions had the opportunity to participate in the master class organized by Mrs. Restakyan on the topic of "Secrets of making Gata from a confectioner". They put their theoretical knowledge into practice and acquired new professional skills while making traditional gatha. The master class also had professional orientation.
An interesting course on the "Student/Student Society" model was organized for the participants of the summer school. Armine Hovhannisyan, representative of the "Business and Education Partnership" Foundation, presented to the participants the German model and its implementation in Armenia, which creates opportunities within the framework of the German "VET-Cooperation" program in a number of schools and VET institutions: food service, installation of solar energy plants, hairdressing, eco bags , in the production of souvenirs, tea collection and packaging, printing, pottery and other fields, created "to the formation and development of entrepreneurial abilities and entrepreneurial mindset of pupils and students of student societies. Anush Mkrtchyan, deputy director of Gyumri Vocational School No. 4, head-teacher of "Student Societies", presented about the creation and formation of "Student Societies", implementation and management of activities. Zohrab Grigoryan and Artur Zurnachyan, students of the "Healthy Generation" and "Arevot Shirak" student companies, presented to the participants the activities of their companies, from documentation to sales, installation and maintenance of solar plants, as real companies.
The course of Suzanne Tonoyan, representative of the "Business and Education Partnership" Foundation, on the development of a tourist package was interesting. Young people developed comfortable tourist packages offered to tourists visiting their regions. The course enabled students and pupils to think about creating "Student/Student Companies" offering services in the field of tourism, as well as to have a professional orientation to choose their future professional direction in the field of tourism.
Lilit Karapetyan, the founder of the "Studio-36" chain of beauty salons, an employer, presented a course on beauty salon management and business organization, during which she imparted comprehensive knowledge to the students on how to organize the business carried out by their companies and be able to manage the company properly.
Hairdressing and make-up master classes were organized for pupils and students interested in the field. Narek Ghazaryan, an experienced hairstylist and makeup artist of the "Studio-36" network of beauty salons, demonstrated professional practical knowledge in detail with a model selected from the participants, introduced various hairdressing tools and modern materials, practically teaching the application of techniques during work.
Karine Ghukasyan, the founder of the "Karen and Kara" company, presented to the participants of the summer camp about the necessity of the activity of the company engaged in the production of dairy products, cheese and organic yogurts, competitive conditions in the market and business success.
Suren Manusajyan, the employer of "Pastar" printing house, presented to the students and pupils of "Student Companies" providing services in the field of printing, his successful experience in the field of printing business, the work processes carried out in the field, the subtleties of employer-employee relations and the importance of communication with customers and mutual respect.
Young people were attracted by the class of IT specialist Artashes Grigoryan. about the opportunities provided by information technologies in business: using IT for the purposes of market research, advertising, and organizing electronic sales.
Lessons on labor law, first aid and emergency situations, evacuation were also highlighted. Specialists Varduhi Movsisyan and Artur Vardanyan explained with examples the importance of fundamental human rights: life, safety, work, protection in both personal and public aspects.
Along with their creative group work and targeted courses, the students of the "Family" center also participated in the above-mentioned professional orientation seminars according to their preferences.
The series of diverse and meaningful meetings of the summer school was concluded by the Lebanese-Armenian Tiran Baghdadyan, the owner of the Gourmet Durme chocolate production, who emphasized the enthusiasm of young people entering the labor market for the first time, as an important guarantee for the progress of work. During the outdoor talk show, which was led by public relations specialist Artur Baghdasaryan, it was also discussed about the need to strengthen the employer-parent-student-college relationship and continuous discussions.
All the organized classes took place in an atmosphere of warm, cooperative and lively discussions.
The participants of the summer school gained practical knowledge, advice from experienced businessmen, opportunities for exchange of experience and cooperation, professional orientation, as well as friends in educational institutions of different marzes.
