The "Outside the Walls" magazine is published by the Public Service Enterprise of the Municipality of Neapolis-Sykeon.
In volume 176, released in September 2023, an article written by Mr. Ioannidis Ioannis was published with the title "With... European air the training at the DIEK Neapolis" (pp. 36 - 38).
The article describes the participation of the Public Institution of Vocational Training (PIVT) of Neapolis in the European Erasmus+ program, the experiences of the students and accompanying instructors, as well as the viewpoints of the Director of the PIVT of Neapolis Mr. Moumouris Ioannis.
You can see the article and the entire issue of the "Outside the Walls" magazine below.
Magazine article for the PIVT of Neapolis
High level training with the contribution of Erasmus
With... European air the training at the PIVT of Neapolis
The success story of the PIVT of Neapolis: Gabriel Apostolakis who picked up again the thread of education at the age of 60 - he re-entered the classrooms as a student after his retirement
By Ioannis Ioannidis
If there was an advertisement to promote the work being done at the PIVT of Neapolis through the participation of its students in Erasmus program, Gabriel Apostolakis would certainly be the absolute protagonist.
At the age of 60, having been retired from a long service in the Air Force as an electronic engineer, he decided to pick up the thread of education from scratch and occupy himself with a specialty of his great interest. Automation technician.
Thus, he enrolled at the PIVT of Neapolis, where he acquired classmates who are... a third of his age. After having attended the course incessantly and diligently, he participated in the Erasmus program through which he has been in Budapest, the city where the first metro line was completed in 1896!
"Given that the Metro of Thessaloniki has been also designed to operate without a driver, automatically, you realize how interesting it is to be in a country that has developed a high level of expertise in the very subject you have studied and wish to work professionally", says Mr. Apostolakis.
When asked about his thoughts regarding the Erasmus experience as a whole, not only Mr. Gabriel Apostolakis expresses his enthusiasm but he also urgently recommends that young children pursue their participation in the program without hesitation.
"They should enjoy every experience and by all means make good use of the opportunity given to expand their knowledge", he says characteristically adding that based in this approach young people acquire qualifications to deal with the challenges of the future optimistically.
A total of 14 trainees participated in the program, six of which -including Mr. Gabriel Apostolakis- practiced in cutting-edge technologies of the Automation Technician specialty at the "Technical School of Mechatronics BGSZC" in Budapest.
Furthermore, the trainees visited the "B.K.V SERVICE LINE", a factory which specializes in manufacture and maintenance of mass transport vehicles (buses, trams, trolleys), where they watched the production line process in detail and practiced in the maintenance and repair department.
The second group consisted of 8 trainees of the "Interior Architecture, Decoration and Design of Objects" specialty went to Milan, Italy.
The 8 female students were divided into two groups. The first group worked in the well-known architecture office of the city "SESTAGALLI - FULVIO ROGLEDI", where they took over the design and decoration of a 200 sq.m. area.
The remaining 4 students were employed in the interior design office CALIU MILANO where they were assigned two tasks: the design of lighting fixtures for a residence in Lake Como, as well as the design and interior configuration of a luxury residence.
"I participated in order to gain knowledge on the culture of another country and to earn experiences regarding the professional part," said Vassiliki Grammenou, who participated in the second group of students.
Among the benefits she received, besides practicing English language, Vassiliki includes the recommendation letter she was given by her employer and the certification of participation in the program.
"Both of them are added to the resume and contribute to the job search", she noted.
Two of the accompanying teachers, Sofia Pavlidou and Athanasia Mylona, mentioned the desire and enthusiasm with which the young students got up every morning to go to work. "It was really impressive, as in their eyes we could see the excitement about the new things they were learning", they noted.
Mr. Ioannis Moumouris, director of the PIVT of Neapolis, expressed his satisfaction for the participation of the students in Erasmus.
"It is of great importance that young students have the opportunity to come in touch with other professional and social cultures, train, work and gain experience and knowledge in their field of study. For this reason, in the last years our institute continuously participates in this European program. In addition, for the first time in the current year of training (2023-2024) we are planning to participate in Erasmus Pro, which gives students the opportunity to practice abroad for up to six months", explained Mr. Moumouris.
"Are graduates of the PIVT of Neapolis able to get a job using the degree they get?", we asked.
"Absorptiveness in labor market is highly dependent on job specialty. We would certainly wish to get higher percentages in this direction. For this reason, we provide our students with workshops and continuous training to ensure that they become as qualified as possible in their specialty and able to apply with claims for a position in the labor market", noted Mr. Moumouris and concluded: "The Public Institutes of Vocational Training are not only addressed to high school graduates. We enable professionals, who are already active in the market, to update their knowledge in the context of lifelong training."
Students of the PIVT of Neapolis being enthusiastic about their practical training in Budapest and Milan
