On 21 and 22 May 2024, a group of Spanish vocational school teachers from various vocational schools in the catering sector visited the “Johanna Just” Center of Vocational Education and Training in Potsdam.

Mrs Frauke Beck, Head of the Hospitality Professions and Social Work Department and TourX ambassador, together with Olaf Lücke, Managing Director of DEHOGA Brandenburg, provided information about the dual system of vocational training for young talent in Brandenburg’s hospitality industry.

Prepared with collegues of the Mobility Department of the Incoma Group Madrid, this study visit to Potsdam also was made possible as part of the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme. The programme promotes learning and cooperation in Europe and offers professionals in vocational education and training in European countries the opportunity for further international training. Erasmus+ supports cooperation between organisations and institutions in vocational education and training with different formats and objectives and the programme plays a key role on the way to a common European education area.

During the three-day visit to Potsdam, a programme was put together for the teachers that offered a diverse insight into the German VET system and vocational training in the hospitality industry in Brandenburg.  The Spanish colleagues also had the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the school’s day-to-day teaching during various teaching units. The actual possibilities of long-term internships for the pupils/students of the Spanish vocational schools in member companies of DEHOGA Brandenburg were also presented.

As a result of this exchange of experiences, we will now continue to explore the possibilities of deepening our cooperation as part of our joint Erasmus+ projects.