Silesian University of Technology supports modern vocational education
The Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering of the Silesian University of Technology cooperates with the Industry Skills Centre in Żywiec. It is a response to the growing demand of the labour market for highly qualified specialists and the need for closer cooperation between education and business.
In many European countries, vocational training is based on a dual model combining school education with work placements in companies. In Austria, Germany or the Netherlands, this system is developed in cooperation with employers, thanks to which graduates gain practical competences corresponding to the needs of the labour market. Competence centres offering specialist training, practice and certification also play an important role. These centres often cooperate with universities, combining academic knowledge with modern technologies and technical background of industry. Recently, a similar system has been introduced in Poland, and the Silesian University of Technology has joined its co-creation.
One of the most interesting and strategic initiatives in the modern vocational education system in Poland are the Industry Skills Centres (BCU). Their creation – thanks to the amendment of the educational law since September 2023 – is a response to the growing demand of the labour market for highly qualified specialists and the need for closer cooperation between education and business. As part of the nationwide program of professional competence development, part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) and financed from the funds of the European Union, nearly 120 such centres were created throughout the country.
Their main goal is to develop practical professional skills in specific industries – from industry and energy, through it, to services and agriculture. These centres offer education for pupils, students and adults who want to retrain or improve their skills. The key element of their activity is the emphasis on learning through practice – in conditions as close as possible to the real working environment.
One of these centres is located in Żywiec. It is here that the employees of the Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering of the Silesian University of Technology transfer their experience and substantive contribution.
- In the project of establishing the Industry Skills Centre (BCU), Silesian University of Technology acts as a substantive partner responsible for the development of professional competences and support of the quality of education in the area of sanitary, heating and gas installations - says Dr Eng. Jan Kaczmarczyk, Prof. SUT from the Department of Heating, Ventilation and Dust Removal Technology, involved in the project.
Our contribution focuses primarily on the development of modern course programs, preparation of teaching materials and providing expert knowledge in the design and diagnostics of technical building equipment systems – he adds.
Prof. Kaczmarczyk also explains that the Silesian University of Technology actively participates in other educational and popularizing activities, among others by organizing a competition for students and preparing a nationwide industry Olympics for students, which promotes the integration of the academic environment with vocational education.
- An important element is also our support for the dissemination of the project results, using the communication potential of the university (industry media, information channels), which allows for reaching the stakeholders of the labour market and education. Thanks to the involvement of qualified staff and scientific and technical facilities, Silesian University of Technology brings to the project a key expert potential, supporting the effective functioning of BCU as a centre of professional excellence.
Industry Skills Centres are a response to dynamic technological changes and the transformation of the economy, where the traditional model of education often does not keep up with the needs of the labour market. Employers expect not only theoretical knowledge, but above all specific practical skills, which is why the Industry Skills Centres are to fill this gap by adapting curricula to the current needs of the industry, cooperating with companies and industry organizations, responding quickly to technological changes and, equally important, promoting lifelong learning.
It is worth noting that each Industry Skills Centre specializes in a specific field. They are usually created in cooperation between schools, universities, enterprises, and public institutions.
Their activities include: organization of professional courses and specialist trainings, conducting practical classes and workshops, certification of skills, support of teachers in professional development, cooperation with employers in creating curricula, and an important aspect of their activity is also access to modern equipment and technologies, which are often unavailable in traditional schools.
For students and participants of BCU trainings, this means more chances of employment. They gain practical skills that are really sought after on the labour market and often establish their first professional contacts while they are still learning. In turn, employers gain better prepared candidates and the opportunity to influence the training process of future employees. This allows to reduce the costs of on-boarding of new employees and shorten the time of their adaptation in the company.
Silesian University of Technology became involved in the creation of the Industry Skills Centre in Żywiec, which was established at the Complex of Building and Wood Schools named after the Home Army in Żywiec, which specializes in the following areas: sanitary, heating and gas installations. BCU in Żywiec offers education at the technical and industry level of the first- and second-degree schools, preparing pupils to perform specific professions – sought after and valued on the labour market.
Thanks to the received support for the project “Establishment of the Industry Skills Centre at the Complex of Building and Wood Schools named after Home Army in Żywiec under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) in the area of sanitary, heating and gas installations, co-financed by the European Union, it was possible to create and equip seven laboratories in the facility
(boiler room, welding and soldering room, welding room, heat pump and control room, installation assembly workshop, ventilation and recuperation workshop, installation design studio) and offer a wide range of activities aimed at students, teachers of the profession and adults.
In its activity the Industrial Skills Centre (BCU) in Żywiec cooperates with industry partners - the Polish Association of Sanitary Engineers and Technicians and the Association of Manufacturers and importers of Heating, Industrial Equipment - KAN Sp. Z o.o and Grohe Sp. Z o.o, as well as a scientific partner - Silesian University of Technology - Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering.
Cooperation with the Silesian University of Technology allowed to organize two editions of the National Olympiad of Knowledge and Installation Skills (school year 2024/2025 and 2025/2026) addressed to pupils of industry and technical schools from all over Poland studying in professions related to sanitary, heating and gas installations. The first edition of the Olympiad was attended by 20, and the second – 22 schools and educational institutions from all over Poland. The high level of preparation of the participants is confirmed by the fact that most of the finalists obtained the title of a laureate, earning more than 50% of the possible points.
- Another initiative in which our University has marked its participation is a nationwide competition for students entitled: “#Mission Installation – Environmental Engineering in 120 seconds”. The competition was addressed to students studying in Poland in the fields related to sanitary, heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, water-sewage or gas installations, and the task of the participants was to prepare a short, maximum 120-second film showing in an interesting way the operation of technical installations in buildings and public space - explains Prof. Kaczmarczyk.
The results of the participants’ work can be seen on Instagram of the Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering.
In its offer, BCU in Żywiec also has a whole range of professional trainings in the field of sanitary, heating and gas installations for students, teachers of the profession and adults.
The training program developed by specialists from the Silesian University of Technology covers issues related to the design of sanitary installations as well as diagnostics of technical building equipment systems. Participants will learn about solutions based on green energy, water saving systems and technologies that increase the energy efficiency of buildings.
In the future, the Industry Skills Centre in Żywiec can play an important role in preparing specialists for the modern civil engineering and energy transformation sector. Thanks to the cooperation of schools, industry, and the Silesian University of Technology, it is possible to create a modern model of education, combining technical knowledge with practical skills expected by the labour market. The development of such centres can significantly contribute to improving the quality of industry education and increasing the competitiveness of the Polish economy.
The material was prepared in connection with the implementation of the project “Establishment of the Industry Skills Centre at the Complex of Building and Wood Schools named after The Home Army in Żywiec in the field of sanitary, heating and gas installations”, as part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP)) co-financed by the European Union. The Silesian University of Technology is a scientific partner of the project.
Text: Jan Kaczmarczyk and Małgorzata Kwiatosz
Collaboration: Katarzyna Siwczyk
