Zuzana Marejková is an employee of the consulting company IPA Slovakia. Together with representatives from the HARMONY ACADEMY team, from 12 to 18 May 2019, she participated in mobility in Latvia through the Erasmus+ project on the topic "How to build organisational excellence in schools.
I was a newcomer/employee of the consulting company IPA Slovakia when my colleague Marcel asked me if I would like to participate in Erasmus+ mobility in Latvia, focused on the topic "How to build organisational excellence in schools". It is said to be a great opportunity and a great experience in every way. I have never been given such an opportunity before, as my work as an economist/accountant has not yet been viewed from a different point of view than the usual, traditional one. Despite my concerns, I agreed. I was very interested in the work programme I received, as well as the theme and overall content of the Eurofortis training course. That's how my preparation for this great project began. Study of the provided materials, information about the new country as well as language preparation of English as part of the company course, carried out in cooperation with the Harmony team. This made me a member of the HAPPY SCHOOL 2020 team, which was created as part of the Erasmus+ programme in Slovakia.
In order to meet the objectives of the HAPPY SCHOOL 2020 project, the first national consortium in Slovakia in the adult education sector was established. It consists of three members – Harmony Academy Trnava, IPA Slovakia Žilina and PLUS Academia Bratislava. The main goal of this consortium is to successfully implement the Learn and Lead model in the full-scale operation of language schools through the HAPPY SCHOOL 2020 project and to support lecturers in the new, misleading positions that this Learn&Lead path offers. The implementation of this management model is linked by the HARMONY ACADEMY language school in Trnava in the process of lifelong learning, with the career growth of its lecturers and in direct connection with their possibility of involvement in the management of the school itself. The realization of this goal is carried out with an emphasis on the implementation of an approach focused on the needs of the individual – student/person, the so-called Student/Human Centric Desing , through the strengthening of the competences of lecturers and managers of schools and institutions in the field of language and vocational education in Slovakia and abroad. This vision is very closely linked to our training programme in Riga, Latvia.
As part of the Erasmus+/KA1 project, which also covered our mobility in Latvia, a training programme entitled 'How to build the organisational excellence in schools' was also carried out. The training course "Towards building an excellent school" is an international training created by European trainers and advisors for the introduction of excellent management in schools and other organisations across Europe. The target group is school heads, their representatives, teachers and other persons responsible for school management. It is an innovative, proactive, motivating and inspiring experience held under the supervision of Eurofortis IT SIA, in Riga.
The path of excellence training is certified by the European Association and EuroBEN in cooperation with Eurofortis IT SIA. Participants will receive a final Certificate and a Europass Mobility Document.
Excellent organisations clearly verify that their goal is to satisfy all interest groups, which is closely related to what and how they do today, what influences them and what they plan to do in the future. Currently, 3 approaches of international standards are recognized in the implementation and actual application of excellence. Today, the EFQM model of excellence is the most widely used in Europe, as a management tool that offers a comprehensive view of the organisation. The EFQM Model of Excellence is a broad and comparative guiding framework that serves as a guide in the search for quality improvement opportunities, as tools and methodologies exist for improvement and new possibilities are constantly emerging here.
The implementation of the "Excellence" process, including self-evaluation and the use of various support methods, is suitable not only for schools but also for other advancing organizations in the field of vocational education. Continuous improvement and some of the core principles of EFQM – Europe's most widely used model of excellence – will help you build a culture of excellence and turn your organisation into a place with excellence, satisfied clients, staff and a sustainable future.
"How to build the organisational excellence in schools"
As part of our mobility in Latvia , I gained a lot of new experiences, new knowledge as well as the opportunity to travel, get to know a new country, its culture. I have gained a new friendship – the girls from HARMONY ACADEMY, Janka and Monika, are incredibly tenacious, educated, determined to realize and fulfill the vision of HAPPY SCHOOL 2020, through the Learn&Lead model – by involving all its parts.
Janka Ch. told me one beautiful sentence: "Being here is a gift." It confirmed my perception of myself and my participation in this program, which I had been aware of since the very beginning of my journey. I was constantly gaining new knowledge, skills, experience, I learned to cooperate with different temperaments, I had time to get to know myself, I began to believe in myself more and gained more self-confidence :)
I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and am fully aware of this "Gift". I will try to make the most of this opportunity so that it benefits not only me, but also the entire IPA team.
IPA Slovakia, s.r.o. is one of the largest consulting and training organizations in the field of industrial engineering and methods Lean, Six Sigma and innovation in Central Europe. IPA successfully implements a range of educational programs, audits and projects for various companies. IPA's mission is to provide flexible and comprehensive solutions for long-term performance enhancement of production and service organizations without distinction of industry. The goal is to fully meet the customer's needs through efficient work. The strongest point is a team of professional experts/lecturers with great practical experience, who are among the leaders in their field. Through its business, it participates in ensuring the further development of the Community.
The environment in which we live, work and learn greatly influences the growth and formation of our personality. Mutual respect, support, recognition and subsequent satisfaction is one of the priorities for the functioning of the company. Therefore, understanding, respect and mutual cooperation are very important. Such an environment is provided by IPA. It creates attractive conditions and opportunities for workers for their personal development and self-realization, the realization of their ideas, ideas and projects, the acquisition of a sense of job security as well as the quality of private life. I am grateful to be part of the IPA Slovakia team, where I can constantly learn, develop, progress and thus contribute to building and implementing excellence not only in the field of education but also in the overall community.
Erasmus+ provides opportunities for people of all ages and helps them develop knowledge and experience and exchange it across institutions and organisations in different countries around the world.
Zuzana Marejková – IPA Slovakia, s.r.o. Žilina
