Organised by the Agency for Vocational Education and Training and Adult Education (ASOO) and the County Professional Council for Mechanical Engineering, Shipbuilding and Metallurgy of Zagreb County, a professional conference for teachers and experts in technical sciences was held at Vocational School Velika Gorica on 27 August 2025.
The conference brought together 70 participants, who had the opportunity to strengthen their competences in working with CNC technology, digital tools and modern solutions in renewable energy.
A wide range of topics and expert speakers
The programme consisted of five parts:
- "Tool setting on a CNC milling machine – from theory to practice", a workshop led by Stjepko Bašić, dipl. ing. stroj.
- "Video and artificial intelligence at school", a lecture by Ratko Harauzek, mag. ing. el. and Katarina Ćaćić, dipl. ing. stroj., focusing on teachers' digital competences
- "The solar revolution: technologies that are changing the way we live", a lecture by Toni Lončar, mag. ing. el. techn. inf. and Josip Posavec, mag. ing. el. techn. inf.
- A presentation of the solar power plant and equipment of RCK Velika Gorica, led by Matija Galeković, mag. ing. el. and Matija Majdak, dipl. ing. el.
- "The implementation curriculum of modules in the mechanical and electrical engineering sectors", a workshop by Jadranka Bakula, dipl. ing. stroj. and Tajana Šimag, dipl. ing. stroj.
Focus on modern teaching and sustainability
Through lectures and practical workshops, the participants saw how CNC technology and artificial intelligence can be integrated into teaching, and how solar systems contribute to sustainable development and energy savings.
Particular emphasis was placed on presenting the solar power plant at the Regional Centre of Competence (RCK) Velika Gorica, where participants could see an example of good practice in the use of renewable energy in education.
Module implementation curriculum – linking theory and practice
One of the key parts of the conference was a workshop on the implementation curriculum of modules in the mechanical and electrical engineering sectors, organised so that participants could draft implementation curricula through practical work, aligned with learning outcomes and labour market requirements.
The aim of the workshop was to show how to design teaching content that connects theoretical knowledge with practical skills, with an emphasis on applicability in real working environments. Teachers had the opportunity to exchange experience and, by working together, develop materials that will improve modular teaching at their schools.
Conclusion
The conference confirmed the importance of continuous professional development for teachers and their key role in passing on knowledge of modern technologies to future generations. The importance of a well-designed implementation curriculum as the foundation for more effective and modern teaching was particularly emphasised.
Authors: Jadranka Bakula, Tajana Šimag and Ivan Živković