"Professional Skills Olympiad" 2014

In the framework of activities for connection and cooperation with business as well as for the promotion of professional education, with the initiative of Megatek, and the support of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth, National Agency for Education, Professional Training and Qualifications (AKAFPK), and other partners as GIZ, SWISSCONTACT, VODAFONE, was organized "Professional Skills Olympiad" 2014, the largest annual activity for professional education in Albania.

The activity included the competition for professional competencies, of different directions and profiles, among the students of proffesional high schools, where they demonstrated the theoretical-practical skills, abilities and habits, as well as the key competencies that the students have acquired throughout the school years. The participants were also introduced to the modern facilities, materials and equipment that Megatek offers and distributes in the market.

This is the largest project in Albania, which brought together business, government and non-profit organizations in a joint initiative that supports professional education. The competition took place in the building and spaces of Megatek, where schools according to profiles and were represented by teams of 5 students, of 12th and 13th grades selected by themselves.

Specialists in the field designed theoretical and practical tests based on the relevant curricula, as well as new information provided by the company's experts during the training conducted in advance.

The evaluation of the teams was carried out by a joint commission with specialists in the field (Megatek and its partners) as well as AKAFPK experts based on the evaluation criteria and specifications drafted and recognized by the participants in the competition.

The competition "Professional Skills Olympiad" 2014, was realized in four phases:

• Phase I: Presentation of the project "Professional Skills Olympiad " in 24 professionals high schools, which offer qualifications in the following areas:

   Thermohydraulics                     

   Construction                              

   Agriculture (Gardening)             

   Wood Processing                        

   Electrical Engineering                 

The presentation was conducted by groups of specialists and experts of different profiles of Megatek and AKAFPK according to a schedule set in the period 11-26 March, with focus on the ways of organization and stages of development of training and competitions.

• Phase II: Training of competition participants according to profiles by foreign experts engaged by the company Megatek, regarding new contemporary information and evaluation methodology in the above areas.

According to a calendar, March 24, 27, 31 and April 3, 7, groups of students selected for each school and each profile together with the accompanying teacher, conducted the Theoretical - Practical training (1 day) in the spaces of the Megatek, with specialists in various fields, its partners as well as specialists of AKAFPK.

• Phase III: Theoretical competition

It took place in Megatek on April 29 for all schools. The theory test accounted for 30% of the total assessment and contained curriculum knowledge and competencies as well as information obtained during the training.

• Phase IV: Practical competition

The final phase was realized with a practical task which focused on the selection of tools, working materials, performing and reading sketches, economic calculations as well as disassembly, assembly and operation of equipment, according to the relevant directions in terms of procedures, quality standards, aesthetics, teamwork and timing of their fulfillment. The practical task occupied 70% of the total assessment for all directions and profiles.

On May 2, when the practical assignments took place, 38 teams of students competed with 5 people each, supported by about 1000 students, teachers, school principals and parents from almost all professionals schools in all regions of Albania. The event was also welcomed by leaders of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth, the National Agency for Education, Professional Training and Qualifications, as well as by donors supporting the event.

In the final phase, after the completion of the evaluation, the winning schools were announced. The first prize of 3000 Euros was won by:

• Shkolla “Beqir Çela”, Durrës, for the direction "Thermohydraulics"
• Shkolla e ndërtimit “Kol Idromeno”, Shkodër for the direction "Construction"
• Shkolla Bujqësore, Kamëz  for the direction "Agriculture" (profile "Gardening")
• Shkolla “Karl Gega”, Tiranë for the direction "Wood Processing"
• Shkolla Elektrike “Gjergji Canco”, Tiranë for the direction "Electrotechnics" (profile "Civil and industrial electrical installations")

The winning prize of 3000 Euros will be awarded by the company Megatek in the form of purchase of working materials of the respective profile, based on a project proposed and designed by the winning schools themselves, which will help them to perform quality internships.

The schools that won second and third places were provided with the relevant certificates but also all students participating in the competition were provided with certificates of participation.

So in a sense, all the participants were winners!