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European Vocational Skills Week
News announcement19 November 2019Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion

By the end of the internship, I felt like a professional

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I am a former student of Basic Vocational Training in the Arrangement and Repair of Textile and Leather Goods. I studied at the Guadalquivir Secondary Education Institute, located in Córdoba, Spain.

My experience throughout my two years of learning was very positive. During this time, I developed as a member of society, learning new skills thanks to work I undertook in the last course of my Basic Vocational Training as a shop assistant in a specialist fabric store.

Throughout the two months that my internships lasted, I developed the communication skills necessary for a qualified professional (that I previously thought I did not and could not have), in order to deal with people in a professional and personable way. By the end of the internship, I felt like a professional who liked both his job, and dealing with people.

I also realised the importance of paying attention to teachers who, without the unconditional support of, I could never have successfully finished my studies. At the beginning, I was lost and did not know what to do in my professional future. Sometimes, I even doubted myself, and thought that I could never get a qualification or degree that would allow me to enter the world of work. I come from an area that is characterised by few job opportunities, a high unemployment rate and citizens with little motivation to get out of this situation. It was, therefore, very important for me to realise the opportunities that opened up for me thanks to Basic Vocational Training.

My Basic Vocational Training is related to the Textile, Tailoring and Leather family, and at the beginning, I was not convinced I wanted to study this speciality. I honestly did not see how I could dedicate myself to it. I didn’t know how to sew a button! I was very insecure and had a lot of doubts, but now, after two years, I cannot say anything else but thanks to the entire I.E.S. Guadalquivir for everything you have given me to face my future successfully.

Mercedes Cantón, Spain

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