In my last blog I was looking into the touchpoints between companies and teenagers. There were several ways how the communication takes place. In the following, I am blogging about “practical days” (dt. Berufspraktische Tage/ Schnuppertage).
What are pracitical days?
“On practical days, students observe and perform individual activities in the company for a short period of time and without remuneration. The practical days do not constitute an apprenticeship or any other type of employment relationship.
The practical vocational days enable the students to become acquainted with occupations, to correct false ideas about occupations and to self-critically examine their personal aptitudes and inclinations. In addition, practical vocational days provide the entrepreneur with support in selecting personnel.” [1]
How does the application for the practical days takes place?
For this I am reffering to my blogpost #4 where I interviewed a 14-year old who is attending the “Polytechnische Schule” and is going to start an apprenticeship in autumn 2023. He told me, that they have to do five internships in total. The first ones took place last year a few weeks after they started the semester and the last ones will take place in spring 2023. He spent his pracitcal days in two companies. Each for a week and he knew the companies from his teachers or had a private connection to it. Also there were constantly companies and representatives visiting the school and present their companies and the apprenticeships they offer.
To apply for the pracitcal days the students need to contact the companies themselve – mostly, they get a contact from the teachers who is responsible for apprenticeships in the enterprise. [2]
How does a typical practical day look like?
It always depends on the company but mostly the pupils are watch, ask questions and can try simple activities. The main goal is to get to know the work in a practice orientated environment.
Bibliography:
[1 ]https://www.wko.at/service/arbeitsrecht-sozialrecht/Berufspraktische_Tage.html
[2]https://pts-reutte.tsn.at/meine-ausbildung/der-weg-zur-lehre/berufspraktische-tage
