Teachers of the vocational school 3 Wels attend innovative educational institution in Iceland

Teachers of the vocational school 3 Wels attend innovative educational institution in Iceland

The teachers Beverley Allen-Stingeder and Irmgard Stieger from Vocational School 3 in Wels recently took part in an exchange program in Iceland. They spent three days at the recognized vocational school Vermmenntaskólininn in Akureyri, where they were able to gain insights into the education system there. The visit program was part of the Erasmus+project that promotes the international exchange of teachers.

A focus of this trip was to exchange teaching methods and attending various teaching units at the Icelandic school. "There is no dual training system in Iceland like in Austria," said Allen-Stingeder. She found that the Austrian model sparked great interest in the director and the Erasmus coordinators. This dual system is very common in Austria, where theoretical and practical training go hand in hand.

The education system in Iceland

In Iceland, all young people attend the primary school, which usually lasts from 6th to 16th year of life. After primary school, the pupils have the opportunity to attend a vocational school like the Vermmenntaskólininn. These educational institutions offer a variety of courses in different disciplines, including economy, carpentry, care and hairdressing professions. In addition to these special subjects, the students also learn general subjects while concentrating on their chosen areas.

The lessons at the school typically last three years, but can be extended to four years if necessary, especially if students change their department or need special support. By participating in additional courses, the students can also acquire the authorization for access to universities, which expands their future educational opportunities.

"We have been given the opportunity to network internationally and to gain valuable technical knowledge for our pedagogical work," said Irmgard Stieger. The Erasmus+ program underlines the importance of European exchange in the field of education. It promotes innovative learning approaches and cooperation across national borders. For the teachers and students of the vocational school 3 Wels, this exchange is a profit that opens up new perspectives and improves the quality of the training.