ABCs for future professionals is an educational program that teaches middle school students about the opportunities and options for further studies in vocational and technical schools. The project is developed in partnership with Holcim Romania and integrates all three Junior Achievement principles – INSPIRE, PREPARE and SUCCEED –, with its participants taking part in experiences that support applied learning and develop skills for the future.

PROJECT OBJECTIVE

Through learning by doing activities, the project helps students transitioning from middle to high school to strengthen their attitude towards the need for education and their future, by introducing them to the economic benefits and advantages of the education they receive at school.

By joining the project, students are encouraged to discover themselves, to define their aptitudes, interests and values and to better understand what opportunities are best suited to their academic and professional future. They also have the opportunity to learn about the advantages of continuing their studies in technical high schools available in their communities.

EDUCATIONAL CONTENT

The project includes:

• classroom activities carried out in collaboration with partner teachers based on the JA educational kit (resources and activities in hybrid format, tools for assessment and feedback);
• applied learning activities, carried out with the participation of Holcim Romania volunteers, through which students discover models of professional experience and types of jobs specific to their community;
• information sessions for parents to present options for further studies at technical and vocational high schools;
• summer school with interactive workshops designed for disadvantaged youth.

Skills developed: identifying one's interests, values and abilities, defining success in a personal way, career choices in relation to education and skills needed, setting personal goals.

The pilot edition will take place during the 2023-2024 school year, in schools from 6 communities in Arges County.

ABCs for future professionals is a project supported by Holcim Romania.

About Holcim România
The Holcim Romania group of companies includes Holcim Romania (two cement plants in Câmpulung and Aleșd, an AAC plant in Adjud, a grinding station, 28 concrete stations, five aggregate stations, two special binder stations, three cement terminals, three platforms for waste pre-treatment and Somaco Grup Prefabricate (five precast plants).
The Holcim Romania group of companies is active in the production of high-performance construction materials, with the main objective being the transition to a completely sustainable business, through the development of products with as little carbon footprint as possible and through a constant concern for environmental protection. All the company’s projects work in synergy for the responsible consumption of natural resources, the use of energy-efficient technologies, the reduction of emissions, the decrease of the impact of transport by optimizing distribution routes and prioritizing vehicles with low fuel consumption.
Holcim specialists develop materials for the future based on innovation and digitization, with social and environmental responsibility as the main vectors, for more sustainable communities, in a circular economy. In total, the Holcim Romania Group has approximately 2,000 employees.