1. Warmia and Mazury Vocational Training Centre in Olsztyn

2. educational association –mission: to provide education, training and vocational development of adults and youth in terms of personal skills, professional qualifications and practical abilities non-profit NGO established in 1992 (roots back to 1946) DIN EN ISO 9001:2000

3. provides training services for: –SMEs –employees –unemployed –handicapped –branch associations –adults and youth initiates and supports implementation of innovations in the region

4. regional network of 12 local Centres of Education member of the national Association of VTCs

5. over 70 employees didactic staff of about 500 instructors, trainers and teachers over 11.000 trainees per year

6. offer including over 600 training courses

7. building sector training facility

8. computer laboratories - local CISCO Academy

9. driving school

10. secondary schools high schools language school

11. transnational cooperation partners all over Europe

12. transnational cooperation several realised projects: –PHARE partnership –Socrates Grundtvig („Wizard toolbox”, „Namal 2”) –Leonardo da Vinci („Ex.So.Res”) –Halland model for conservation of buildings –CI EQUAL

13. national projects Training projects addressed to: –unemployed –inhabitants of rural areas –handicapped –social workers –SMEs –employees –prisoners –... Research projects

14. Warmia and Mazury region

15. Forests and lakes...

16. Demographics 1,4 mln inhabitants; low density: 59 persons/km2 (rural areas: 11 persons/km2); high birth-rate (2nd best in Poland); young population (36% below 25 years, 11,4% above 65 years); poor education (nearly 5% with no education, 41% with basic education and just 8% with higher education); low income

17. Geography 24.200 km2; 55% - agricultural areas, 32% - woods, 6% - water, 3.5% housing; rural area: 97,5% (biggest rate in Poland); 60% - urban population; dominance of small towns; Green Lungs of Poland; few and poor natural resources; rich environmental resources.

18. Economy 108 000 companies (mostly SMEs) low competitiveness of companies; low productivity; rather poor internal demand (due to low income); low industrialization level („Green Lungs”); poor communication (lack of airports, under-developed roads and railway).

19. Industry tourist region; main branches: –food production –wood and furniture production –tourism –tyres production (Michelin in Olsztyn) domination of small, private companies

20. VET in Warmia and Mazury several vocational schools; W-M ZDZ being the regional leader of vocational education and trainings; e-learning and blended learning systems still being developped and rather unknown (save for big international companies)

21. W-M ZDZ ul. Mickiewicza 5 10-548 Olsztyn, Poland r.szutowicz@wmzdz.pl www.wmzdz.pl