Woodwork High School in Ljubljana

The Woodwork Technician programme lasts 4 years. Students complete it with the Vocational Baccalaureate, which allows them to continue their studies. During all four years, students have about 5 hours of practical training per week in school workshops. In the second and third years, they have 10 days of practical training with employers (in a company in their own local area). In the Woodworking Technician programme, students have a much broader range of vocational and theoretical subjects, with an emphasis on wood knowledge, drawing, computer-aided design, CNC programming, design, marketing. There are also many general education subjects, so the programme is suitable for students with better results in Physics, Mathematics, English, Slovenian, etc.

After the final exam, many carpenters continue in the woodworking technician program - PTI (3 2).

Of course, if students do not decide to continue their studies, many of them go on to work in the Timber Industry or start working in their family businesses, or even start their own businesses, as the skills they have acquired allow them to do so. Interest in training for all woodworking professions is growing again, as is in demand. The school is also often approached by companies so we can help them to improve their woodworking skills.

Practical lessons take place at school and at employers. At school, it takes place in school workshops, which are well equipped with modern technology. Students only need to bring work clothes and a tape measure, everything else is taken care of by the school.

Classes start at 7:30 and usually finish at 13:40. There are no pre-school hours. Practical lessons take place during the shift, as classes are divided into smaller groups. Thus, every 14 days there are one or two classes in the afternoon ( Woodwork Technicians once every 14 days, Carpenters twice every 14 days).

Oral testing is arranged with the teachers, many of whom announce oral assessments. Students with statuses have adjustments according to the regulations.

Students are included in the Textbook fund, books can be picked up in the school library.

PE takes place in various locations, mostly in the School Centre's gym. It takes place during regular school hours. If it is not held in the School Centre, the last or, exceptionally, the first few hours are often reserved for PE. In any case, it is ensured that students have enough time to reach the gym at another location. At the beginning, they are of course accompanied by teachers to these locations.

Students can study in the library at any time.

In addition to mandatory optional content (sports days, professional excursions, cultural days), the school also organizes other activities (professional competition, chainsaw safety course, natural history tours, Megatishler course, preparations for the 5th matriculation exam, singing exercises, CPP course, first aid course, Arduino microcontroller class, Ecoschool, inclusion in the Erasmus  programme, etc.).

The school is obliged to offer a snack for each day of attendance at classes and other activities of the compulsory curriculum in accordance with the school calendar ("classes"). Pupils are not entitled to a snack during the part of the extra-curricular activities that they choose. The establishment shall provide pupils with a hot, vegetarian and dietary meal or snack which is more nutritional and higher in energy.

Students from remote locations can obtain the status of "commuter". Students must submit an application with a timetable, and "commuters" can be late or leave early on the basis of an approved application.

The rules of school obligations of students who are studying in parallel or preparing for international competitions, and students who are prospective or promising or top athletes, governed by the Rulebook on Adapting School Obligations to Students in High School. All adjustments are based on these Regulations.

Those who cannot travel to Ljubljana every day because of the distance can apply for a dormitory. The nearest ones are the Tabor Student Residence at Kotnikova 4, the Vič Student Residence at Gerbičeva 5l a, and the Ivan Cankar Student Residence at Poljanska cesta 26.The school cooperates with the student residences, and a teacher from the student residences can have permanent contact with the class teacher if the parents wish.

Students with special circumstances notices are subject to the requirements of the individual notices. This falls under the responsibility of the SENCO coordinator.

We are announcing two departments for the wood technician program (56 places), three departments for the carpenter program (78 places), and two departments (56 places) for the wood technician program - pti.

Until now, we have not had a limit. In the event of an increase in enrolment, we submit the relevant justification (shortage of professions) to the Ministry of Education and Culture and request an increase. In the case of Carpenters and Woodwork Technicians - VTE, we have already been successful twice in the above-mentioned way.

Education must follow the needs of the economy. For Slovenia, wood is a strategic raw material and at the same time one of its competitive advantages. Knowledge of new technologies, new materials, knowledge of CNC technologies and CNC programming is very important. Computer engineering, design, business communication, marketing... are important.

Wood is becoming increasingly important again as an environmentally friendly, renewable and degradable material. We will use it in traditional ways and invent new methods of use and processing. We will rely on wood as a raw material for solving environmental problems, on Slovenia's vast forest cover and on the commitment of all to get the slow-moving wheel that ensures the prosperity of Slovenia's wood processing industry moving.

Companies offer Staff Scholarships. Every year, the Slovenian Public Fund for Human Resources Development and Scholarships offers scholarships for deficit professions, including carpentry.

The drop-out rate is not high. The school has different levels of educational programmes, which allow students to move between programmes during the year if there are vacancies. If someone enrols in a Woodwork Technician programme and during the year finds that this level of difficulty is too high for them, they can be transferred to a Carpenter programme if there is a vacancy. It is reasonable to transfer in the first third of the school year.

Every year, a few students in the Carpentry programme complete the Final exam with honors (all excellent grades).