A modern resource centre has been established at the Gorodok Agro-Technical College, as reported to BelTA correspondent by the college director, Vladimir Shitko.
A modern resource centre has been established at the Gorodok Agro-Technical College, as reported to BelTA correspondent by the college director, Vladimir Shitko.
According to him, the college approached the Ministry of Economy six months ago with a proposal to equip the resource centre with the latest agricultural machinery from domestic manufacturers on a gratuitous basis. The idea received support both from the ministry and from the management of enterprises, which provided the latest models of their manufactured equipment for training purposes. For example, OJSC "Gomselmash" supplied a latest-model combine harvester, and Minsk Tractor Works provided two tractors. The machinery fleet of the resource centre has also been augmented with a modern disc harrow, a seeder, and other agricultural machines currently used in advanced farms. By agreement with the partners, this equipment will be returned to the enterprises in one year, and in exchange, they will send the latest samples of their manufactured products.
Until now, this form of interaction with manufacturers has not been practiced in Belarus – the Gorodok Agro-Technical College has become the first. Vladimir Shitko stated that the problem related to students receiving up-to-date education had existed, as the skills acquired by students on outdated machinery did not correspond to current realities. Upon starting their jobs, young specialists had to undergo additional training instead of working effectively.
The director noted that not only students of the Gorodok College but also students from other educational institutions of agricultural profile will undergo training at the resource centre. Groups of students will be sent here for practical training for one to two weeks. Retraining of personnel is also planned to be conducted here. Thus, the full potential of the resource centre will be utilized. In the future, it is planned to extend this work experience to the resource centres of other educational institutions.