Passionate craftsmen inspire about their stile

At the interface between school desks and the workplace:
the industry is not standing still

Those who enjoy working with their hands may choose to study wood. Pupils of the sixth and seventh years in Don Bosco Sint-Denijs-Westrem are immersed to the maximum in the wonderful world of joinery. Inside and outside the school walls. Fittings specialist LMC has been a training partner of the school for many years. "During a visit to our company I like to take the woodworkers of the future through our wide range of products," says Kris De Prycker of LMC.

LMC's clients are crying out for good employees. Schools, in turn, are asking for practical experience for their students. The intake in BSO and TSO is declining. Still, it remains a wonderful profession. By building bridges between training and the work floor, LMC and Don Bosco want to increase the appeal and enthusiasm of future woodworkers.

Training reform

The industry does not stand still. So at Don Bosco, they think it makes sense that their training offerings don't either. "We are in the process of reforming our wood training," explains teacher Koen Stock. "There will be a division within wood techniques into a direction 'interior joinery and interior' and a direction 'interior and exterior joinery'. This will allow us to go even deeper into certain aspects of the sector during school and better prepare our students for the shop floor. Especially in combination with company visits, such as at LMC. Moreover, we expect an additional shift toward dual learning, the valuable combination of classes and real work experience."

Kris De Prycker picks up: "Dual learning enthuses students even more. They really discover how things are done and they know what they are talking about. That's exactly why we think it's important to really welcome these students into our company. It's a good way for them to get to know LMC. Of course, these apprentices are also our potential customers and ambassadors."

Training Center Module

Every school year, teacher Koen takes his class on a half-day trip to Module, LMC's training and innovation center in Waasmunster. At this external location, students get to see much more than is possible at school. They hear passionate professionals talk about their craft and gain inspiration. Sometimes even for their final project. 

"Actually, we started Module as a program for our customers," Kris looks back. "But soon we also opened it up to schools. Don Bosco was, eight years ago, the first to go into this. In my eyes, this is a real model school, giving students so much more than school knowledge and skills."

Usually the company visit takes place at the beginning of the school year. And that is no coincidence. Koen: "This is the time to get ideas for the BIP. In the fifth we mainly work around solid, in the sixth the focus is on sheet materials. We coordinate the study visits accordingly. LMC goes one step further, however. Every student gets an account on the online platform. This allows them to view technical sheets and prices. As a teacher, I can check it from home and LMC checks that - when ordering - they don't forget any parts. This support of education from the field is priceless to us. We attach great importance to good cooperation between our school, suppliers and apprenticeships. LMC is an important link in this network."