We hear more and more often that artificial intelligence will replace many occupations – and indeed, some of them will disappear over time. But one thing is certain: AI will not build an exhibition stand. The occupations associated with the exhibition industry – installer and technician – are based on practical skills and teamwork. And that means they have a stable future ahead of them. Vocational education has a future.
As Filip Bittner, Vice-President of the Management Board of Grupa MTP, emphasised at the opening of this year's Targi Edukacyjne (Education Fair) in Poznań, vocational education is not only needed but also holds great promise – it is what gives young people a concrete path to a profession and to independence.
On 7–9 March, the Education Fair took place at the Poznań International Fair grounds; there, the Polish Chamber of Exhibition Industry presented the Monter EXPO project – as every year, on a dedicated stand, which was built by IDEA Expo. For three days we talked to pupils and parents about why it is worth choosing to train as an exhibition and congress structure installer or as an exhibition industry operations technician. The fair was an excellent opportunity to show what learning looks like at Zespół Szkół Budowlano-Drzewnych (the Construction and Wood Technology School Complex) – the only school in Poland that provides training in these occupations – and what choosing this path really gives young people.
Also behind us is this year's first Open Day at Zespół Szkół Budowlano-Drzewnych in Poznań, which took place on 15 March. More are still to come: on 8 April and 17 May. We invite all pupils and parents who would like to see what learning under the Monter EXPO project looks like – both in theory and in practice.
The project was launched in 2022, which means that this year the first pupils are completing their education at the stage I sectoral vocational school. This is an important moment: the graduates will gain qualifications and will be able to start work in an occupation that responds to real market needs.
Cooperation between the school and companies from the industry, carried out in cooperation with the Polish Chamber of Exhibition Industry, is one of the pillars of the Monter EXPO project's success. Thanks to the involvement of business, young people have access to work placements, modern technologies and industry events. It is learning in real working conditions, using the latest tools and standards.
“Cooperation between business and education is the foundation of the success of initiatives such as Monter EXPO. Thanks to the involvement of companies from the exhibition industry, pupils can complete work placements, take part in training and also go on career-orientation trips, which give them an insight into the realities of working in this dynamic industry.
Cooperation with the school and the involvement of companies associated with the exhibition industry in organising work placements are of enormous importance. As a result, pupils can build up their experience from the very beginning of their education, which opens up a wide range of career opportunities for them in the future. This approach enables young people to acquire skills that are valued on the labour market and introduces them directly to the industry in which they want to work”, emphasises Tomasz Szłapiński, Headteacher of ZSBD.
We would like to thank the Board of the Poznań International Fair for supporting the Project and our participation in the Education Fair.