Bulgaria 

DBBZ Pleven
Bulgaro-Germanski Zentr sa Professionalno Obuczenje
German-Bulgarian Center for vocational training –
MONITORING PARTNER/OPERATIV PARTNER

The DBBZ Pleven is one of three Bulgarian vocational training centres newly founded in 1995. The previous training prospects in Bulgaria have since been continuously developed into particular training offers, notably in the areas of construction, woodwork, information technology and languages. Target groups are unemployed young people, school-leavers and people looking for a change of vocational direction.

Bulgarska Stroitjelna Kamara
Bulgarian Construction Chamber –
STRATEGIC PARTNER

The Bulgarian Construction Chamber (est. 1990) is a voluntary, non-state, non-profit making organisation linking more than 1300 companies in the construction industry (including project planning, professional employment and production and service employment). It represents more than 75% of the country’s construction capacity; in these terms it represents the interests of the majority of construction experts and companies. The construction chamber is based in Sofia but has a well-developed regional structure, representing 30 regional areas throughout the country. In 2002, the chamber was deemed the best company in Bulgaria.  

 
Germany
 
Central Association of German Building and Construction Industries Bruxelles
STRATEGIC PARTNER

As an employees’ association, the organisation represents the interests of lawmakers, government and management concerning the construction industry on a European level. 16 national construction associations are represented here.
The association is a member of the F.I.E.C., the EIC the worldwide association CICA.
A main working focus is the development of the construction training curriculum’s content, and the support of inter-firm training and further training centres.

Central Association of German Building Trade
STRATEGIC PARTNER

The “central association” is the head organisation of construction companies. As an economic association it represents the interests of its members concerning policies and management; as an employer’s association, concerning social partners. It has representatives in normalisation authorities on a German and European level, and can thereby ensure practical and applicable rules for German construction. In its various fields of expertise and task areas, the central association is organised into federal practice areas, member associations and central organisations. The whole association works closely with the Hauptverband der Deutschen Bauindustrie and the Hauptverband der Bundesvereinigung Bauwirtschaft.
 
BIBB -
Federal Institut for Vocational Training
STRATEGIC PARTNER

The BIBB monitors and researches training and further-training practices in companies, tests new methods of training and further training, modernises the operational guidelines for training and job entry together with employers and trade unions, supports operational vocational training practices with modern training materials and media, develops concepts for operational training institutions, supports modern training centres as a supplement to operational training and further training, appraises the quality of vocational e-learning offers and advises international programs for further development in vocational training. The statutory duties of the BIBB include vocational training research and development, as well as service and support activities.
 
BAQ -Institute for Scientific Research (Imployment, Labour, Qualification) Bremen
STRATEGIC PARTNER

The BAQ (Employment, Work and Qualification research institute) realises plans in the area of work- and industry sociology, including the recognition of need for qualifications in the construction sector. 
 
 
Estonia
 
Tallinna Ehituskool
Tallinn Construction School, Estland
OPERATIV PARTNER

The Tallinn Vocational College of Construction is a training organisation with focus on construction and woodwork. The training measures are directed at youths (initial training) and adults (further training). The school has 70 staff members, of which 31 are teachers, and currently more than 600 students training to become carpenters, furniture restorers, electricians, sanitation installers and construction workers. The duration of the courses varies according to the situation of the student from a one-month version to the full 3-year initial training course. Since 1995, the school has been a member of the Estonian Association of Construction and has experience in international projects such as LEONARDO DA VINCI and COMENIUS.

Riiklik Eksami - Ja KvalifikatsioonikeskusNational
National Examination and Qualification Centre
STRATEGIC PARTNER

The National Examination and Qualification Centre (NEQC) is an organisation belonging to the Estonian Ministry of Education and was founded in 1997. It coordinates the development of the national education and training system, and guarantees observance of statutory standards in training. The main duties of the National Examination and Qualification Centre are: evaluation of quality standards in education and training courses, monitoring and evaluation of training courses, and development of curricula in various vocational fields as well as in scholastic education. 
 
 
Finnland
 
Innova Länsi-Suomen Aikuiskouiuturskeskus
INNOVA Adult Education Centre
MONITORING PARTNER

Innova is a vocational training centre for adults. It started in 1997/8 as the merging of the Laitila Vocational Adult Education Centre and the Rauma-based Finnyards Training Centre. Innova’s offer includes qualification in the areas of automation, the hotel and restaurant industry, languages, cleaning, management, technology, the social and health services, electronics, textiles, commerce and data-processing. Innova works closely together with the municipal authorities of Rauma and Laitila. As the biggest regional vocational training centre, Innova is involved in various international vocational training and research projects, and also has experience in ESF projects.
 
 
Lithuania 
Vilniaus Statybininku Mokykla
Vilnius School of Builders
OPERATIV PARTNER

The Vilnius Builders School is a vocational school active in initial training, further training and adult education. Out of around 1000 trainees, approx. 700 go on to further training. Basic training courses are registered in the areas of construction (carpentry, painting etc.), furniture design, restoration and roofing. Adult further training is available in the fields of painting, screeding, tiling, masonry, carpentry, woodwork and furniture design. As far as international cooperation is concerned, the school has particular experience in exchange programmes. It has close contact with organisations and institutions in Italy, Austria, Germany and Spain, among other countries.


Siauliu Prekybos, Pramones ir Amatu Rumai
Siauliai Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts (CICC)
STRATEGISCHER PARTNER

The Siauliai Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts is one of five independent trade chambers in Lithuania, representing organisations in the Siauliai region. It is a non-profit making organisation that outwardly represents the interests of its members, and offers them a wide range of services (information, advice, advertisement). It supports the region’s economic development, particularly the development of relationships between local and foreign companies. An example of the close cooperation between the chamber and various vocational schools is the involvement of the chamber’s members in vocational schools’ examination boards. 
 
 
Austria
 
FAB - "Association to promote work and employment"
MONITORING PARTNER

As a collective training organisation comprising trade unions and the employee’s chamber, and with more than 13 branches, the “vocational support institute” is one of the biggest organisations in Austria. The BFI undertakes measures lasting up to 6 months, for the social and vocational integration of disadvantaged groups into the areas of building and renovation, painting, decoration, carpentry, agriculture, recycling and the hotel and restaurant industry. The BFI has experience going back to the 1980s in European programme and community-initiative participation (ADAPT, HORIZON, 5th research programme, INTERREG II, RESIDER, SOKRATES, LEONARDO DA VINCI). The BFI is a member of the European Construction Site Network, EBSA. 

 
Poland
 
Centrum Ksztalcenia Ustawicznego i Praktycznego
Center for Continuing and Practical Education
OPERATIV PARTNER

The centre in Zielona Gora was founded in 1977 and is a further training institution with a wide range of qualification offers in various vocational fields. The organisation owns several practice firms; e-learning courses are offered, as well as further education for multipliers (teachers, expert instructors). The centre possesses ISO certification according to 9001:2000.
In various European programmes (Phare, Interreg, Leonardo da Vinci) as well as within the EUROPEN network (worldwide cooperation of practice firms), the Center for Continuing and Practical Education works closely with other European organisations and institutions. 

 
Krajowy Osrodek Wspierania Edukacji Zawodowey i Ustawicznej
National Center for supporting vocational and continuing training
STRATEGIC PARTNER

The National Center for Supporting Vocational and Continuing Training in Warsaw is an organisation belonging to the Polish Ministry of Education and Sport. The centre audits the observance of quality criteria and standards in vocational training, according to the demands of the job market and the national education policy. On a national level, the centre works closely with other state and civil society actors in vocational and continuing training. The duties of the National Centre for Supporting Vocational and Continuing Training can be divided into the following fields of focus: Vocational and continuing training, and further training for teachers; Career orientation; Curriculum development and publicity work.
 
 
Romania 
Fundatia Romano-Germana Timisoara
Romanian-German Fountation Timisoara
MONITORING / OPERATIV PARTNER

The German-Romanian Training and Further Training Centre for Construction was founded in 1993. Since then, around 5200 people have taken part in training and further training courses for school-leavers, unemployed people, small businesses managers and people returning to work. Target vocations are gas-water installation, heating design, masonry, carpentry, tiling, roofing, dry mortar construction, computer technology and painting. The Fundatia works closely with local job centres and training centres as well as with over 80 Romanian SMEs in the construction sector, and has specific experience and solid cooperation connections.

Agentia Nationala pentru Ocuparea Fortei de Munca
National Employment Agency
STRATEGIC PARTNER

The national employment agency is an organisation belonging to the Romanian Ministry of Work, Social Affairs and Family and was founded in 1998. The agency coordinates 42 district and 180 local employment agencies throughout Romania. Its duties are the following: stimulating social discussion of vocational training, developing and implementing strategies for employment and vocational training/further training among adults, implementing measures for the social protection of unemployed people, supporting the creation of new jobs. 
 
 
Hungary
 
Hild József Építoipati Szaközépiskola
HILD JOZSEF State Junior Vocational School for Construction
OPERATIV PARTNER

Vocational and general training school with focus on career orientation and technical training in construction vocations, especially in monument preservation and building maintenance. 4-year scholastic training in construction technology is offered, including 2 years of career orientation in construction areas. After four years of training and upon passing the Matura exam, 2 paths are opened up: 1. Entry into a vocational training school; 2. Further 2-year training as construction technician (Practical and theoretical exams; opportunity for entry into professions such as technical draftsperson, design engineer, construction manager’s assistant, assistant foreman).

Gyor-Moson-Sopron Megyei Munkaügyi Központ 
Job Center Györ-Moson-Sopron
STRATEGISCHER PARTNER

The job centre has its central office in the like-named district, and has 6 outposts in 6 district towns. All together there are 19 districts in Hungary; the Györ-Moson-Sopron district is situated in the west, on the Austrian-Slovakian border. Main task areas of the job centre include supporting unemployed people (including distributing social security), helping employed people who would like to change their jobs, supporting companies (location search, placement and testing of work force, securing of government subventions…) Supported by national job market funds, the centre supports the following areas: work in non-profit organisations, job market-orientated qualifications, re-education.


Czech Republic
 
Strední obdborná škola Podyjí
Podyji Junior Vocational School for Construction
OPERATIV PARTNER

The private Podyji junior vocational school, supported by the Regional Construction Employers Association, was founded in 1994 in Znojmo and is therefore the most modern organisation in the region. Parallel to being taught major and minor construction trades, the pupils have the opportunity to receive tuition in two foreign languages (English and German). In addition to this, basic qualifications in media/IT are available. The 280 pupils can take a vocational exam to the A-level standard equivalent, where their ability allows. The school employs 22 teachers.

Úrad Práce Znojmo
Znojmo Job Centre, Czech Republic
STRATEGISC PARTNER

The Znojmo Job Centre is one of 77 job centres in the Czech Republic; they support the Work and Social Affairs Ministry. Duties of the job centre include: job information service, career counselling, support in the acquisition of new qualifications, applying qualification measures, support for disadvantaged groups on the job market, and legal support. The Znojmo job centre’s particular offer also includes a support centre offering advice to young people, unschooled employees, immigrants, disabled people, senior citizens and other problem groups, as to financial and legal questions and as to social problems including the difficulties encountered upon entry into the job market.