(ANS – Madrid) – The General Council for the Church in Education (CGIE, in Spanish) of the Spanish Episcopal Conference (CEE) has awarded the Salesian Congregation the ‘Stella Prize’ in the vocational training category. The award specifically highlights the Congregation’s commitment to basic-level vocational training, which offers young people facing difficulties in their school education the opportunity to continue their education and prepare for the world of work.
The winners were announced on Wednesday, 30 September, during a press conference at the CEE’s headquarters. Through these awards, the CGIE aims to recognise the work of individuals and institutions in the field of education. During the event, the Council’s website and the pilot issue of its “Cuadernos” were also presented; this publication introduces the Church’s teaching on education and helps to explore it in greater depth.
The Episcopal Conference highlighted the continuity of the Salesians’ work in vocational training and, in particular, their commitment to the basic level. Specific mention was made of the support pupils receive whilst learning a trade, a journey that helps them to grow as individuals and find their place in society: a form of education rooted in the charism of Don Bosco.
In this first edition, the award recipients included, amongst others, philosopher and lecturer Francesc Torralba, Luis de la Fuente, illustrator and educator Fano, the ‘Nuestra Señora de los Infantes’ Institute in Toledo and the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Compassion. The special prize pays tribute to the 500th anniversary of the School of Salamanca.
The awards will be presented on 28 October at the Pontifical University of Salamanca. For the Salesian Congregation, “it is a joy to receive this recognition, for which we are grateful, as it honours the work of so many Salesians and educators in Vocational Training, which is so closely linked to our history and our mission. “This award encourages us to continue our work and to look to the future alongside young people,” said Fr José Carlos Sobejano, Superior of Spain’s St James the Greater Province (SSM).
An opportunity to continue studying
The Salesians of Don Bosco have 56 vocational training centres in Spain, with 17,985 students and 2,042 educators. They offer courses at basic, intermediate and advanced levels in various vocational fields. Young people in difficulty have been at the heart of the Salesian mission since its inception. Today, basic-level vocational training is one of the ways of meeting their needs. The Salesian centres have 214 classrooms for this level, attended by 2,562 students. For many of them, following a difficult school experience, this is an opportunity to resume their studies and discover that they can learn a trade.
Preparing young people for the world of work requires direct contact with businesses. The Salesian centres maintain this relationship through partnership agreements and by providing students with on-the-job training. In this way, they gain a first-hand understanding of the needs of each sector and can keep their technical training up to date. For the students, all this also means being able to get to know the trade straight away and start making their way in the world of work.
The relationship with the centre continues even after students have completed their studies. Work placements and job placement services help students and former pupils find employment in line with their training, putting them in touch with companies. In this way, the Salesian vocational training centres achieve high rates of employment.
The Stella Award recognises the daily work of the educators who make this training possible – a mission that follows Don Bosco’s vision: to offer young people a holistic education based on a Christian outlook on life, with particular attention to those most in need, and to help them prepare for work and life in general.
Source: ANS – “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana”