The Bakers Workshop
Capacity: 14 places
Traininig duration: 9 months
Endowments: the bakery is equiped with professional standards tools
About the training:
At the baker’s course, young people learn a varied range of bread and other bakery products, both with Romanian and international specifics. To add to the training of young people and to create more employment opportunities, the course also organizes a pastry module, where young people learn to make different specific products. Thus, after completing the course, young people can work in bakeries, bakeries and confectionery/patisseries.
In order for young people to be able to put into practice what they have learned as soon as they get to their new job, the program is designed so that 75% is practical training and 25% theory, where a lot of emphasis is placed on non-formal education methods . These methods make learning much more attractive and easy for young people.
Simulating the reality of a future workplace is an important component in the training process of young people. That is why learning contexts similar to those specific to a workplace are permanently created. In this way, the young people are used to observing a daily work schedule, observing hygiene rules, producing the necessary bread for the campus every day and providing desserts.
The main skills developed during the course:
- Preparation of raw and auxiliary materials;
- Kneading the dough;
- Tracking the fermentation and processing of the dough;
- Baking semi-finished products;
- Preparation of finished bakery products for storage;
- Packaging techniques.
During the training process, all young people participate in external internships, in artisanal or technological bakeries, twice during the school year. Periodically we have external guests, specialists in the field both from Romania and abroad, who share their experience and knowledge with the young people, thus bringing an addition to training.
At the end of the training, young people take a practical and theoretical exams based on which they obtain the professional qualification certificate, recognized both nationally and internationally. Once this certificate is obtained, young people are supported by vocational counselors in the employment process in partner bakeries and beyond, ensuring that each young person is the right person in the right place.
The Waiters Workshop
Capacity: 14 places
Traininig duration: 9 months
Endowments: campus restaurant, cattering space and coffee shop equiped so that it simulates the reality of a future workplace.
About the training:
In the waiter course, young people learn the necessary skills to work in cafes, bars and restaurants. For a complete training and in order to create more employment opportunities, young people learn to make coffee shops-specific beverages or made-to-order snacks.
The main skills developed during the course:
- making the mise-en-place;
- menu presentation;
- taking over and serving orders;
- welcoming customers;
- writing and collecting the payment note.
In order for young people to be able to put into practice what they have learned as soon as they get to their new job, the program is designed so that 75% is practical training and 25% theory, where a lot of emphasis is placed on non-formal education methods . These methods make learning much more attractive and easy for young people.
Simulating the reality of a future workplace is an important component in the training process of young people. Simulating the reality of a future workplace is an important component in the training process of young people. That is why learning contexts similar to those specific to a workplace are permanently created (serving a Swedish buffet, serving a romantic dinner, room service, catering, etc.). In this way, young people are used to observing a daily work schedule, observing hygiene rules, serving their colleagues and employees on campus every day, both at lunchtime and in the cafeteria. At the same time, the multicultural space on campus gives them the opportunity to practice the skills of serving an English-speaking guest.
During the training process, all young people participate in external internships, in restaurants and cafes, twice during the school year. Periodically we have external guests, specialists in the field who share their experience and knowledge with the young people, thus bringing an useful and entertaining addition to the training.
At the end of the training, young people take a practical and theoretical exams based on which they obtain the professional qualification certificate, recognized both nationally and internationally. Once this certificate is obtained, young people are supported by vocational counselors in the employment process at our partners with specific activities, thus ensuring that each young person is the right person in the right place.
The Cooks Workshop
Capacity: 14 places
Traininig duration: 9 months
Facilities: kitchen equipped and professional standards and catering space
About the training:
At the cooking training, young people learn the necessary skills to work in a Romanian or international kitchen.
The main skills developed during the course:
- hygiene rules, labor protection safety rules;
- communication and teamwork;
- supply of necessary equipment and raw materials;
- processing vegetables and fruits;
- meat dishes;
- preparation of fish and seafood dishes;
- liquid preparations;
- preparation for breakfast;
- preparation of salads, entrees and doughs;
- preparing desserts;
- working with specific documents.
In order for young people to be able to put into practice what they have learned as soon as they get to their new job, the program is designed so that 75% is practical training and 25% theory, where a lot of emphasis is placed on non-formal education methods . These methods make learning much more attractive and easy for young people.
Simulating the reality of a future workplace is an important component in the training process of young people. That is why learning contexts similar to those specific to a workplace are permanently created. In this way, young people are used to observing a daily work schedule, observing hygiene rules, they cook daily for their colleagues and campus employees both at meal times.
During the training process, all young people participate in external internships in restaurants, twice during the school year. Periodically we have external guests, specialists in the field who share their experience and knowledge with the young people, thus bringing an addition to the training and giving students the opportunity to learn new dishes and cooking techniques.
At the end of the course, young people take a practical and theoretical exam based on which they obtain the professional qualification certificate, recognized both nationally and internationally. Once this certificate is obtained, the young people are supported by the vocational counselors in the hiring process with partners in the field, thus ensuring that each young person is the right person in the right place.
The Gardeners Workshop
Capacity: 10 places
Traininig duration: 9 months
Facilities: workshop equiped with manual and motorized tools, 2ha campus garden and green space, greenhouses, orchard, specially arranged area for medicinal and aromatic plants.
About the training:
In the gardening course, young people learn the secrets of growing and care taking for trees, flowers and vegetables, familiarizing themselves with all the necessary work until they can carry out these works independently.
The main skills developed during the course:
- knowledge of the necessary conditions for each plant species;
- carrying out perfectly adapted fertilization plans;
- knowledge of the symptoms of pests, their causes and the method of action for their prevention and removal;
- elaboration of detailed production plans;
- the choice of varieties and sorts for cultivation;
- making simple landscape elements;
- the correct maintenance of plants.
In order for young people to be able to put into practice what they have learned as soon as they get to their new job, the program is designed so that 75% is practical training and 25% theory, where a lot of emphasis is placed on non-formal education methods . These methods make learning much more attractive and easy for young people.
Simulating the reality of a future workplace is an important component in the training process of young people. That is why learning contexts similar to those specific to a workplace are permanently created. In this way, young people are used to observing a daily work schedule, observing hygiene rules, growing vegetables in the campus greenhouse and taking care of the green spaces.
During the training process, all young people participate in external internships at specialized employers, twice during the school year. Periodically we organize floristry and decoration workshops, thus bringing an addition to training and giving students the opportunity to know and develop the creative side necessary in this job.
At the end of the course, young people take a practical and theoretical exam based on which they obtain the professional qualification certificate, recognized both nationally and internationally. Once this certificate is obtained, the young people are supported by the vocational counselors in the hiring process with partners in the field, thus ensuring that each young person is the right person in the right place.
Partenerships with Vocational High-Schools
In partnership with the “Virgil Madgearu” Economic College from Ploiești, starting from September 2015, a group of bakers – pastry chefs – flour product preparers was formed. The collaboration continued with a class of cooks, starting 2016 and one of cooks – waiters, starting in autun of 2018. The list of partnerships continues with the bakery classes formed in collaboration with the Bărcănești Agricultural Technological High School, respectively the Lazăr Edeleanu Technical College during 2018 – 2019.
The CONCORDIA Vocational School provides practical training in its own in bakery, kitchen and restaurant, as well as lunch snacks for the students. To the extent possible, they also provide transportation to the students, practice equipment and medical tests, while our partners provide the theory courses and lecture rooms.
`Casa Abraham` Residential Center
Young people admitted to the CONCORDIA Vocational School from the social protection system or disadvantaged backgrounds are offered accommodation in the Casa Abraham Residential Center during the 9-month course. Thus, the work with the young people from the Vocational School continues during the free time spent on campus, being supported in the process of learning independent life skills and socio-professional integration in everyday activities.
The residential center is licensed for the services offered and can accommodate up to 40 young people free of charge, staying in 19 rooms with private bathrooms. In addition to accommodation, young people benefit from free 3 daily meals, medical assistance and care, social counseling and support in social and family integration/reintegration, emotional support and psychological counseling, socializing and leisure activities. All this is provided by specialized staff who have experience in working with young people from disadvantaged backgrounds
In addition to accommodation, the center building includes two classrooms, administrative offices, an event hall, a dining room, kitchen and cafe, first aid point, laundry and relaxation areas for young people (terrace, gazebo, sport and community).
School for Life
“Learning by doing” is something common in our educational methods. We strongly believe that it is important for young people to co-create during the learning process. That’s why we implemented a new way of deepening the knowledge acquired in the first semester in a creative way, by carrying out some projects during the second trimester. Mathematics, English, Financial Education and Vocational Counseling are interconnected in such a way as to challenge young people to think about important aspects towards an independent life in projects such as “Rent an Apartment”, “My Cookbook”, ” My budget”, “Tips for a perfect vacation”. The idea of making a project helps young people to practically learn essential things for their future life, while developing skills such as project management, public speaking or creativity.
In addition to vocational courses, to help young people become independent, our students benefit from a package of practical subjects with the following topics included in the School for Life concept.
- Financial education develops the skills necessary for independent living: how to manage an income, how to conclude a contract for utilities and how to pay for services, how to find rent and how to conclude a contract, how to open a bank account and how a bank card is used, etc.;
- The personal development program is specially designed to help young people to cooperate well in teams, to get to know each other, to develop their communication and relationship skills with those around them;
- English language courses through non-formal methods, with a customized curriculum depending on the specialization of the workshop to which he is enrolled, offer young people the opportunity to acquire new elements of grammar, vocabulary and conversation;
- In applied mathematics classes, young people have the opportunity to review their knowledge and learn applied notions that will help them in the specialization they have chosen;
- The Romanian language optional training offers students the opportunity to work on better expression in their mother tongue, both written and verbal, so as to improve their ability to convey ideas and make themselves understood.
Job Coaching
Through group and individual vocational counseling young people are prepared for participating in a job interview, learn how to build and maintain a good relationship with an employer, are helped to find a job at one of the partner economic agents and are supervised for a period of at least 6 months after graduation, so that we can make sure that he really has a stable independent life
Also as part of the job coaching service, young people carry out internships at employers with whom the Vocational School has established strategic partnerships. In this way, young people are given the opportunity to understand what the real requirements are in the labor market, and economic agents are given the opportunity to select their future employees right from school. Since 2011, 364 young people have graduated from one of the CONCORDIA Vocational School courses, and 70% have kept their job with the same employer for more than 6 months
Case Management
Each young person is unique and, during the 9 months they are with us, we strive to work with them to develop their social and professional skills, paying particular attention to their emotional needs.
“Case management” is an innovative method integrated into the concept of the Vocational School. A multi-disciplinary team made up of all the staff that interacts with the students (teachers, the director, the nurse, the psychologist, etc.) discusses the situation of each student individually in the cognitive, social and emotional areas. The team periodically analyzes the development of each student and plans together with them the best path for individual development, taking into account both their talents and their needs. Everything is based on permanent communication with young people, listening to their needs and continuous feedback.
Special Projects
Wings4Youth
The “Wings4Youth” project is financed by the Rights, Equality and Citizenship Program of the European Union (REC). This project aims to prepare young people who are going to leave the institutionalized child protection system, in the transition to a successful independent life. Young people, social workers, organizations and SMEs collaborate to develop integrated models of support for people leaving the system for their integration through the development of independent life skills, mentoring, in the labor market, especially through job coaching services and trainings customized for beneficiaries, companies and NGOs. In all these activities we consult the most relevant people: the young people themselves.
The following activities are carried out within the project:
- Workshops for young people leaving the care system and professionals to develop a guide for independent living skills, mentoring and job-coaching;
- Training and demo sessions for professionals and small and medium-sized enterprises to support young people for an independent life;
- Public awareness and advocacy to improve the socio-economic and legislative context to support young people who leave the protection system.
Implementation period: January 2019 – December 2020
“The first room – a chance for the future of young people”
The project is implemented for a period of 36 months, starting in November 2020, and is aimed at children and young people in the South Muntenia Region who are preparing to leave the institutionalized protection system or who have left this system in the last four years.
The main objective of the project is the socio-professional integration of 126 children and young people who will be prepared for an independent life. The young people and children beneficiaries of the project will enjoy integrated service programs that include information and vocational counseling services, social and medical assistance according to particular needs, emotional support and psychological counseling. Within the activities designed especially for them, the beneficiaries will learn skills to support them in their future life as independent adults: interpersonal communication, teamwork, self- confidence, attitude to overcome a situation of discrimination, management of own financial and time resources, increased autonomy.
Project co-financed from the European Social Fund through the Human Capital Operational Program 2014-2020.
Ecolog
One of the values of the campus is caring for nature. That’s why we selectively collect and take care of the resources offered by the planet. The young people of the Vocational School are initiated from the first week in this way of being on our campus and are constantly encouraged through monthly activities and competitions to develop specific skills for sustainable behavior.
A birthday cake for everyone
A birthday is an important moment that we look forward to every year. Whether it’s students on campus or colleagues, the bakery offers joy in a birthday cake for every celebrant.