as jlss is preparing for its third year of implementing the dual system
program in its vocational department, it was time to develop its
relationship with the local industry further. a one-day consultation
about the dual system was held in jlss on monday 7 september 2009.
invitations were sent to all the industries where our students train.
the director of jlss, rev. george d. haddad, along with the program
coordinator of the vocational school, mr. nasr debs, had previously
visited the chamber of industry and commerce in zahleh and met its
president mr. edmond jraisati to explain the purpose of this
consultation and deliver the invitation to the chamber. similar
invitations were sent to unions of various industrial professions in
zahleh and to gtz (deutsche gesellschaft für technische zusammenarbeit)
in beirut.
mr. saeed gideon attended our consultation representing the chamber of
industry and commerce in zahleh. dr. michael guder attended from gtz.
mr. carlos naffaa represented the department of vocational training in
the ministry of education. president of the owners' union of general
and car mechanics industries in the bikaa and zahleh, mr.
george daoud, represented his union, and many owners or managers of
industries in which jlss vocational students train also attended.
the consultation began at 10.00 am with coffee and fresh pretzel and
pastries from our bakery. trainers, teachers, and members of staff of
our vocational department received our guests and mingled with them. it
was a very valuable time to get to know each other.
the program included two parts. the first part was lead by the director
rev. george d. haddad who shared his knowledge about vocational training
as he saw it in germany and switzerland, especially dual system
vocational training. he showed a presentation about vocational training
in germany which he acquired during his last visit to the chamber in
stuttgart. he explained the pivotal role of chambers and professional
unions in germany and switzerland in vocational training. he added that
the department of vocational training of the ministry of education in
lebanon and gtz have done a wonderful job in establishing the dual
system in vocational schools in lebanon since 1995, but what was still
lacking was the involvement of the private sector, mainly the chambers
and professional unions. it was wonderful that the
contract between the german and lebanese governments for the
implementation of the dual system in lebanon was renewed for the next
three years, but it is now the duty of all parties concerned to demand
the full involvement of chambers and professional unions in vocational
training. this is a necessary pre-condition for the success of dual
system training in lebanon.
a very healthy discussion followed in which all persons attending
participated. dr. guder of gtz informed the meeting that a contract was
signed with the minister of education in lebanon for the involvement of
the chambers in dual system training. he
reflected
on his experience in lebanon and the difficulties that were experienced
in establishing this new system. he emphasized the importance of
consultations like this one, and the importance of chambers and
professional unions in the system.
mr. carlos naffaa reported to the meeting about the great work that was
done by the department of vocational training and gtz in lebanon
regarding dual system training and welcomed the participation of the
chambers and industries in the process.
after a lengthy discussion and the exchange of ideas, it was concluded
that the chamber in zahleh will be the overall umbrella for coordinating
with the local industries to follow-up on this proposal, and schneller
school will assist in every way it could, including requesting for
experts from germany and switzerland to attend future
consultations and assist the chamber in zahleh to take this very
important role.
the second part of the consultation was lead by the program coordinator
of our vocational department, mr. nasr debs, who discussed the practical
implementation of dual system training in the
local
industries. he explained the jlss expectations of how our students
should be trained, the reports, grading system, and above all safety
measures. a discussion followed with the owners and managers of the
local industries who also gave their input and impressions.
a seven-minute video about safety was then shown, after which our guests visited the various workshops of our school.
lunch followed at 1.00 pm. our kitchen staff prepared a delicious lunch
which was enjoyed by our guests as well as our trainers, teachers, and
members of staff. it was also an excellent time for our trainers,
teachers, and members of staff to get to know the owners and managers
and continue discussions with them. some of our guests were jlss alumni
who were delighted to be in schneller and catch up with old friends.
all our guests were very thankful for the wonderful and productive time
they spent in jlss. they praised the wonderful idea of this consultation
and insisted that it be continued and followed up.
j
lss
trainers, teachers, and members of staff were also delighted with the
consultation and benefitted enormously form it. our students will
certainly benefit most.
we thank all our guests for their attendance and wonderful
participation. we especially thank gtz and dr. guder for being with us
and for their wonderful support of jlss. we thank mr. carlos naffaa and
the department of vocational training. we thank mr. saeed gideon and the
chamber of industry and commerce in zahleh. we also thank mr.
george daoud and the owners' union of general and car
mechanics industries in the bikaa and zahleh.
we finally thank all jlss trainers, teachers, and members of staff who
worked hard to make that day a wonderful success.
photos by mr. elie mrad