Yesterday, the Chamber of Crafts and Entrepreneurship of Montenegro presented diplomas - master's letters to ten craftsmen who passed the master's exam within the project of cooperation with the Koblenz Chamber of Crafts from Germany, which was financed by the German Government.
"The master's letter is the biggest seal and level of qualification in craftsmanship, and it is very important that Montenegro gets expert craftsmen, who in the future will be able to bear the burden of training, decision-making and awarding new master's letters", announced the Chamber of Crafts.
The executive director of the Chamber of Crafts, Boris Marđonović, said that ten participants from four trades passed the master's exam, namely, as he stated, auto mechatronics technicians, photographers, hairdressers and high fashion seamstresses.
"The master's letter is the highest stamp in craftsmanship, the highest level of qualification. It consists of four parts. The first and second parts are professional practice and professional theory. The third part relates to the economy, trade and law, and the fourth part relates to work pedagogy", explained Marđonović.
As he said, no sign of equality can be placed between the Montenegrin and German master's exams.
"It is a long-standing tradition. In Germany, no one can become a craftsman who has not been educated in the dual system of education, passed a professional exam, spent a certain number of years in the trade as an apprentice, and only then passed the master's qualifications and the master's exam. We in Montenegro did not have those conditions", said Marđonović.
According to him, Montenegro has established a legal system when it comes to master qualifications, but, as he said, the Chamber of Crafts as a public institution is still not included in that system.
"Our motive was to raise standards. What the Chamber of Crafts and Enterprises and the Chamber of Crafts as a public institution will do is the highest quality, which we will try to raise to the level of the EU," explained Marđonović.
The president of the Chamber of Crafts and Entrepreneurs of Montenegro, Slobodan Starčević, said that the project started in 2014, assessing that it is very important for Montenegro to get professional craftsmen.
"Indeed, even that period is not small, but all the laureates of the master's letter managed to endure it. I think it is very important for Montenegro to get expert masters, who tomorrow will be able to bear the burden of deciding and awarding new master letters, which I think is a common goal for all of us", Starčević said.
With a master's letter, he believes, one can enter the labor market outside the borders of Montenegro.
"I think this will be a strong incentive for further work. In this year, I expect a lot for the future of our Chamber and for the future of craftsmanship as a whole in Montenegro", said Starčević.
Advisor in the Cabinet of the President of the Government of Montenegro, Ljubo Knežević, said that the Government is available for any kind of help and support in the development of craft activities.
The Director General of the Directorate for Industry and Entrepreneurship, Goran Nikolić, said that he hopes that the winners of the master's letter will further transfer their knowledge, stating that the Ministry of Economy is open to any cooperation.
"From the very beginning, we have supported the development of craftsmanship, enacted legislation, the legal framework. Maybe now is the time to improve something, because a certain period has already passed since then", said Nikolić.
Adviser to the Minister of Education, Ćazim Fetahović, said that being a master in modern countries represents prestigious knowledge and ensures economic independence and a high status in society.
Deputy Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Uwe Meerkotter, assessed that dual professional education is an important factor for Germany's successful economic environment.
"The combination of professional practice and vocational school offers young people good conditions for starting their working life, for safe transfer of knowledge and for creating career opportunities," said Meerkotter.
The dual system of education, as he explained, significantly contributes to the fact that Germany has the lowest youth unemployment rate in the European Union (EU).
"This successful model, Germany is trying to export," said Meerkotter.
The coordinator of international projects of the Koblenz Chamber of Crafts, Evelina Parvanova, said that craft is not only art and folklore, but that, as she said, craftsmanship is part of the state's economy and has a significant share in the gross domestic product.
"That's why, together with our partners, we advocated that the craft needs a special part in the law, and that law came about in 2007, and in 2009, the Chamber of Crafts and Entrepreneurs was founded," said Parvanova.
A craftsman, as she explained, is one who has a certain biography behind him.
"These are people who were first apprentices, then they passed the professional exam, and then they worked hard and successfully passed the master's exam. During the master's exam, they proved that they are masters in their work, but they also learned a lot about the economy and management of a company. They also learned how to one day train young people in their company", explained Parvanova.
The long-time director of the Middle Ages Bureau of the Balkans, Emil Vasilev, said that there are not many countries in Southeastern Europe where the master's exam has been conducted.
"It was introduced in Bulgaria. This month, for the first time, a master's exam will be conducted in Macedonia according to their Law. And here in Montenegro. I hope that this good experience will be taken over by other neighboring countries, because there are good indications", Vasilev said.
According to him, being a craftsman is not only important because one knows something, but, as he said, to pass on one's knowledge and skills to young people.
"This social function of the master ensures the future for generations, and that was the most difficult thing in the Balkans. Dear masters, please take responsibility and educate other masters", said Vasilev.
The general secretary of the Croatian Chamber of Crafts, Violeta Jelić, believes that every country should recognize the importance of the quality of service provision and product manufacturing, stating that a master's degree is not only a proof of quality, but a guarantee of quality.
"Without vocational education, there is no social progress. We welcome and appreciate higher education, but the cooperation of school institutions with masters who have acquired pedagogical competences, who will train young generations, is a guarantee of the economic future of every country", Jelić pointed out.
She believes that craft occupations are the signature of a country.
"Each craft is different from country to country and carries a part of tradition and identity. We welcome your aspiration to enter the EU, to join us in that large common market where there is great opportunity, but also great competition", explained Jelić.
She pointed out that master's exams are conducted in Croatia for 62 professions, and that over 19 thousand master's exams have been passed in that country since 1995.
The head of the Education Department of the Croatian Chamber of Crafts, Mirela Lekić, pointed out that there is no dual education without a master.
"These master's exams are so important, because apart from being a guarantee of quality, they are also a guarantee of quality vocational education. "All people who pass the master's exam and receive a master's diploma or master's letter take on a huge responsibility, which is to pass on knowledge and skills to future generations, without which there is no economic development," said Lekić.
Docent of the Koblenz Chamber of Crafts and member of the Examination Committee, Michael Muller, said that the masters are a guarantee that the performance of their activities will be at the highest level and in accordance with the highest standards.
"You are able to further educate your students and produce new generations of masters. Master's qualification is the highest good and must be maintained during the entire professional life", explained Muller.
According to him, the master's seal should be recognizable in the public and in society.
"Make an advertisement for the craft, place these diplomas and master's letters high up in a visible place to your customers and be yourself," said Muller.
Rada Vujičić, a haute couture seamstress who passed the master's exam, said that she has her own company and that the client can choose the necessary material and get the service he was looking for in one place.
"I am extremely proud because we have been able to be the first masters in tailoring in this region. I hope that this will be an incentive for future generations to become masters in their craft and an incentive for our education system to create the conditions to get new masters and craftsmen", said Vujičić.
Hairdresser Vesko Vasović, who passed the master's exam, said that he has been doing this trade for about 30 years and that he is honored to be among the top ten masters in Montenegro.
"It is a great honor to be the first among the first in Montenegro, as far as the master's exam is concerned. This exam lasted four full years, professors came from Germany, it was practice. Everything went well and you can see the result. I think we will pass this experience on to the younger generations," said Vasović.
Fashion designer and stylist, Rada Radonjić, said that passing the master's degree exams will facilitate the implementation of her plans and "make my brand sustainable on the European market".
See more:
Download the app and follow the news
FOLLOW US ON
