The Poznań School of Logistics is developing a support program for secondary schools that provide training in the professions of logistics technician and freight forwarding technician.
For three years, nearly 120 secondary schools in Poland have been training students in the professions of logistics technician and freight forwarding technician. The introduction of these specializations was dictated by market needs. However, the curriculum leaves much to be desired. This was noticed by the staff of the Poznań School of Logistics, who, utilizing the university’s potential, are meeting the needs of the schools.
– We have established contact with all centers in Poland that provide training in these professions – says Wojciech Zalewski, WSL press spokesperson – We created a survey aimed at identifying the problems that teachers face on a daily basis and sent it to the schools. The response is very large, which confirms our conviction that our actions make sense.
Based on the survey, it was noted that most logistics subjects are well-adjusted to the age of the student, and the subject matter of the classes is understandable to the listeners. The number of topics in the curriculum usually coincides with the number of lesson hours during the school year. However, most teachers point to a lack of access to literature and teaching aids required to conduct classes. There is a shortage of textbooks, films, transparencies, maps, catalogs, and appropriate software.
The Institute of Logistics and Warehousing, in cooperation with university lecturers, has already prepared and published the textbook Fundamentals of Logistics intended for teaching the subject of the same name. – The textbook is very good; thanks to it, I have more than half the work less when preparing lessons – says Paweł Andrzejczyk, a teacher at School Complex No. 5 in Wałbrzych – It would be ideal if it were also divided into lesson units. I hope there will be more such textbooks. The entire initiative of the Poznań School of Logistics is a great idea. The curriculum in the professions of logistics technician and freight forwarding technician is not adapted to didactic possibilities. This must be changed.
To this end, WSL is organizing a seminar for teachers on February 23, 2007, at the university’s headquarters. After presenting the full results of the conducted research, it will be an opportunity to integrate the entire community and discuss solutions to improve the logistics curriculum in secondary schools. The conclusions will be presented to the Ministry of National Education and Sport.
The university will get involved in writing a series of textbooks for logistics subjects. At the seminar, several permanent consultants will be selected – teachers who conduct specialized subjects in their schools, who will provide practical tips. WSL also wants to make its logistics literature available to interested teachers, help in establishing “result plans,” i.e., the division of the curriculum into lesson units, and also conduct a sample training lesson. The result of the seminar will also be an online forum for the exchange of experience, which will become a contact platform for teachers training in this profession.
Another problem that WSL wants to solve is the professional preparation of teachers. Education in the professions of logistics technician and freight forwarding technician has been taking place only recently, and the people conducting it were often faced with the necessity of conducting such classes without solid preparation. If there is a need, WSL will be happy to organize appropriate postgraduate studies for such people.
The support program for secondary schools training in logistics professions is gaining momentum. The culmination will be the seminar on February 23, where all the problems that teachers face will be defined. A team has been created on the part of WSL that is already working on possibilities to help schools. Everything indicates that the Poznań university and teachers of logistics subjects from secondary schools across the country have jointly set one goal – development!
For additional information, please contact:
Wojciech Zalewski
WSL Press Spokesperson
tel. (0 61) 850 47 88