In France

ALiBI 2002- Apprentice abroad - Learning Initiative in Building Industry

In co-operation with the federal department of the Chamber of Trade and Commerce and the local Training Centre for Builders (Lehrbauhof Salzburg) the Landesberufsschule Wals (Vocational School for Building Trades in the province of Salzburg) organised an Exchange project for apprentices.
Some six trainees from different companies (bricklayers and floor tilers) participated in this 2-week lasting work placement with French companies in South-France.

Our partner in France was Lycee Professionel Alfred Sauvy, Villelongue dels Monts, Perpignan, who had choosen the companies and arranged the accommodation for the trainees.

Outward journey to France:

On Sunday, Feb. 24, the group took the train from Salzburg to Munich and then they went to Toulouse with Air France. There they were picked up by Mr Fouchonet, project co-ordinator from our partner in France, Lycee Alfred Sauvy, and transfered the trainees to their accommodation.
The afternoon day was used to get first impressions of the town and to orientate themselves.

The Austrian apprentices were friendly welcomed on site by the French work fellows. Despite language difficulties an interesting and harmonious co-operation developed and the collaboration with the natives on site worked out well eventually. The work placement was a great challenge for the young Austrians in order to survive in their job and to get across within this new environment with just a very basic knowledge of French language.

Practical work at college:

At the end of the first week our trainees participated a training lesson at the college together with French apprentices. Beside professional contacts they got some more impressions of the daily routine in the workshop at school in France.

Accommodation, leisure activities:

The trainees stayed in a basic boarding house next to the university at the outskirts of Perpignan. They had breakfast and dinner in the nearby university restaurant and they got a packed sandwich for lunch. The leisure programme included a sightseeing tour in the old city of Perpignan and a guided tour through the famous wine cellars of Thuir as well as the visit of a glass-blower's workshop. The highlight was a wonderful daytrip at weekend along the Côte Vermeil to Spain including a visit in the museum of Salvadore Dali in Figueras.

Return journey to Salzburg:

This was also done by plane (via Paris to Munich) and by train. A little bit tired but in good health the trainees arrived at Salzburg train station on Saturday evening March 9, 2002.

This Exchange Mobility project should improve the quality of initial vocational training for our trainees in the construction industry as well as the personality of young craftsmen.

Some aims of the project:

• Interested and well trained young building crafts (bricklayers, carpenters, stonemasons, tilers, painters e.g.) learn about new technologies, materials and different working methods.
• The work placements together with workers from other countries enables both of them to exchange skills and experiences in order to support each other and to improve their skills and training on the job.
• Young people get to know different cultures, attitudes and way of livings by staying in another country and by working together with people from another country for three weeks.
• Our trainees should get a better understanding for other people in another country with another language and culture. Xenophobia and prejudgements should decrease by living and working together.
• The work experience abroad should make the trainee more self-confident and self-reliant in his own abilities. This enables him possibly to work abroad again - in case he/she is sent to a construction site abroad by his Austrian employer.
• Due to their international experience and the language training the trainees will get better chances on the labour market and for their future working life.
• These projects can lead to international partnership and good contacts between Austrian and French colleges and companies in the future. in order to improve the quality of the vocational training.
• The daily language acquisition of listening and talking at work or after work enables the trainees to learn a new language (French) in a very natural approach -though on a low level.

On behalf of their name I want to thank all our partners and promoters for supporting and co-operating the project.