2011-16-09 - According to unofficial high school enrolment records, the interest of Croatian students for woodworking profession in the coming school year has remained the same for several years now, significantly lower in comparison to twenty ago.
For example, in the forest rich region of Gorski Kotar, with over 2,500 people working in over 30 wood-processing plants and factories, this year, local high school enrolled a total of 7 carpenters, instead of the usual 1-2. This result is more representative of the current developments in the
wood-processing industry and the confidence parents have in this section, than of equally unfavorable conditions in the education system. Nevertheless, this positive enrolment result is a product of the initiative of Delnice High School and local self-government units, namely the Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts of Primorsko-goranska County, to ensure funding for student scholarships. All interested parties and institutions reached an agreement on allocating scholarships to future carpenters. In addition, the project of
building a modern carpenter's workshop was also discussed. Zeljko Dimitric, the secretary of the Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts of Primorsko-goranska County, promised the Chamber would participate in the allocation of student scholarships in the amount of 50%. Local self-government units are also expected to secure resources to help financing education of students from that area. Poor interest in vocational colleges has been a trend in all countries of the Region for many years, as well.