A group of trainers and students from the Sectoral Skills Center (BCU) for the Glass Industry has commenced an intensive program for the first activity of the Erasmus+ project under grant agreement no. 2025-1-PL01-KA210-VET-000365147.

On Monday, November 24, 2025, we met with trainers, education coordinators, and IS machine operators from the Heinz-Glas Glassworks in Kleintettau, Germany.

During the meeting, we presented the BCU along with its educational offer, demonstrated the IS machine application for VR goggles, tested it, and discussed its content and operation. This innovative training method was met with great interest from our partners.

We also visited the Glass Museum located at the glassworks, where we learned about the history of the Glass Keepers – individuals who have been ensuring the quality of glass products for generations, and who describe the very process of creating packaging as "magical."

The most important part of our visit to Kleintettau was the training of our four apprentices/young employees, as well as the observation of the training and production processes.

The training took place at the HEINZ-GLAS glassworks in Kleintettau. After observing the operation of an IS machine (individual section machine), our apprentices learned how to operate it on a dedicated training section. They acquired skills in replacing individual consumable components during the production of glass packaging. It must be admitted that shared goals and collaboration during the training process helped overcome the language barrier and significantly boosted their competence in this area.

As part of the professional itinerary, we also toured the production processes at the glassworks in Kleintettau, Pisau, and Spechtsbrunn. Among the entire spectrum of professions we observed, one of the hardest, most dangerous, and highly responsible roles is that of an IS machine operator. The noise, extreme temperatures, and handling of a massive machine consisting of numerous moving parts require extraordinary skills, immense concentration, and focus. This further reinforced our conviction that the VR goggle application we are implementing into the operator's educational process is absolutely essential.

Yet, there is a certain magic to this profession. It can be found in this role and in all the others across the HEINZ-GLAS factories, where simple sand is transformed into clear, beautiful flacons, bottles, and jars of various colors and intricate shapes. Most importantly, once used and melted down again, they regain the full functionality of brand-new packaging.

It is both a product and a raw material of the future in one.

May we never run out of the guardians of glass—the glassworks employees—and may we choose glass packaging with ever-growing conviction.

We also participated in a rich cultural program. Upon our arrival, we were welcomed by winter, and since the Bavarian region of Frankenwald where we stayed is mountainous, we were able to admire extraordinary mountain views. Due to the glass industry for which the region is famous, elements of glass architecture can be spotted everywhere. Everything was beautifully completed by the pre-Christmas preparations, which could be seen on the city streets, shop windows, and in restaurants.

We particularly enjoyed visiting the Little Berlin Museum (German-German Border Museum) in Mödlareuth. This is a small village on the border of Thuringia and Bavaria that was divided by a wall separating the GDR from the FRG (much like in Berlin). Here, however, as we learned from documentary footage, the wall divided a very close-knit community. This highlighted the tragic history of the residents and allowed us, standing before the restored wall that divides the village, to truly feel the realism of that history.

We also visited the chocolate factory in Fischbachsmühle and the toy museum in Sonneberg. Despite its small size, Kleintettau itself opened the doors of a greenhouse powered by waste heat from the HEINZ-GLAS factory, where we saw the cultivation of papayas, other exotic citrus fruits, and tropical plants. We were also introduced to the pride of the glassworks owner, Carl-August Heinz—the Highland cattle grazing in the meadows around Kleintettau.

We cannot leave out the culinary experiences and flavors of the region that we discovered. In particular, however, we would like to thank Ola, who looked after us and pampered our palates with insanely delicious baked goods. We are proud of you. Thank you and warm regards!

On Friday, November 28, 2025, a wrap-up conference of our visit to Germany was held in Kleintettau. During the conference, we presented the International Development Plan for the CoVE (Center of Vocational Excellence) in Malinowo. We also discussed the details of our further cooperation and debated the dates and program for the upcoming activities in our project, namely the Mobility to Poland and the Glass Festival.

There was also no shortage of summaries of the visit, expressions of gratitude, and the presentation of certificates and gifts to the participants of both teams. During lunch, we were honored by the presence of Frank Martin, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of HEINZ-GLAS. Thank you for this distinction and for the album documenting the history of the glassworks in Pisau.

The Center of Vocational Excellence in the field of the glass industry wishes to express its heartfelt thanks for the participation and commitment to the Erasmus+ project "Implementation of an innovative teaching method in the glass industry" under agreement no. 2025-1-PL01-KA210-VET-000365147 to the following participants: Sylwia Prokopowicz, Beata Wiśniewska, Andrzej Sumiła, Paweł Ciesielski, Wojciech Żmijewski, Łukasz Kowalczyk, Oskar Morka, Patryk Trociński, Filip Ważny, Sebastian Ogrodowczyk, Przemysław Kościan, and Henryk Górzyński.

Thank you for the effective implementation of the intended project goals, the exchange of experiences, worthily representing the CoVE in Malinowo, Działdowo, and Poland on the international stage, promoting the glass industry, and the unforgettable atmosphere of this mobility. We look forward to further fruitful joint endeavors.

From the bottom of our hearts, we would also like to thank our partners from Germany, in particular Melanie Fiedler – Head of HR, for her consent and willingness to implement the project by signing the application form, as well as Lea Brauer, Dominik Küntzel, and Lucia for their hospitality and for organizing the training, professional, and cultural program. We thank everyone from Kleintettau, Pisau, and Spechtsbrunn who was involved in organizing our stay: the guides, as well as the employees of individual departments and shifts, for their kindness and for sharing their experience.

On June 15, the project partners—representatives of HEINZ-GLAS Germany, including employees, trainers, and apprentices—began their visit to Poland by exploring a truly unique place for the glass industry: the CoVE (Center of Vocational Excellence) in Malinowo. The kick-off conference was also attended by representatives of the Działdowo Powiat (District), namely Deputy Staroste Krzysztof Aurast and District Secretary Lidia Nyga-Skwara. Also present were trainers, the CoVE staff, and representatives of HEINZ-GLAS Poland.

Following a presentation of the CoVE Malinowo educational offer, the current stage of project implementation, and the evaluation of the results achieved so far, the participants toured the Center of Vocational Excellence, the school, and the dormitory.

On June 16, a group of apprentices from Germany, along with their trainer, participated in the training process for IS machine operators using a VR headset application, which featured a German language interface implemented during the project. The training was conducted by Andrzej Sumiła, a CoVE expert and trainer.

At the conclusion of the training, a meeting was held to review the results of the session. In virtual reality, the apprentices inspected packaging from the production line, performed the appropriate measurements, detected a product defect, and replaced the relevant component of the IS machine section—all while adhering to all required health and safety (HSE) regulations.

Together, we evaluated the tool through a discussion on its purpose, relevance, and educational effectiveness.

As part of the cultural program, the participants of the visit discovered the colorful medieval history of our region by visiting the Museum of the Battle of Grunwald and Malbork Castle. History, regardless of whether it unites or divides our nations, always becomes a strong bond for our relationships. A shared European history builds a shared European identity.

During the journey back from Malbork, the mobility participants also experienced an extraordinary ferry crossing via the slipways (inclined planes) of the Elbląg-Ostróda Canal.

What a day it was! On June 18, at the Center of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) for the Glass Industry in Malinowo, as part of the Erasmus+ project, we combined the worlds of major industry, vocational education, and science with incredible art.

We were visited by primary and secondary school students from across the entire district, teachers, and glass industry professionals. We also hosted a delegation from the HEINZ-GLAS Kleintettau glassworks in Germany.

What went down? The workshop zone was bursting at the seams!

Participants could admire and co-create live:

Hot glassblowing and shaping – showcases by Andrzej Petrovsky, Katarzyna Pilic, and Emilia Omilianowicz.

Glass torchworking with Katarzyna Harasym.

Stained glass creation under the guidance of Ira Petrovska, and engraving with Dariusz Zakrzewski.

Modern technologies: an IS glass-forming machine VR simulator, CNC, an AI photobooth, and innovative sketchbots.

Education and Career. The festival was the perfect opportunity to plan for the future. Students from the School Complex in Malinowo presented our unique educational paths for the professions of glass industry equipment operator and glass technology technician. Renowned universities, including the Academy of Fine Arts in Wrocław and the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, set up their stands. Students could also talk to industry leaders such as HEINZ-GLAS, Dekorglass, Szkłomal, and the Polish Chamber of Packaging, as well as benefit from the support of career advisors from the District Labor Office (PUP) in Działdowo and the Youth Career Center (MCK) in Nidzica.

The presence of the KOMA company in the presentation area fostered insightful discussions on glass recycling and responsible resource management in the glass industry.

Fun Zone and the HEINZ-GLAS Picnic. Outside, on the squares and lawns around the CoVE, a joyful picnic was in full swing! Waiting for the youngest (and the slightly older ones) were huge inflatables, which were an absolute hit, and animators who ensured great fun and led numerous contests.

Glass Treats – The Catering Zone. Nobody left hungry! Our catering zone served delicacies all day long: inside the CoVE building, snacks as well as hot and cold drinks were available non-stop. Outdoors, everyone's favorite pizza, ice cream, crepes, and waffles ruled the day.

An incredible Glass Festival is now behind us, during which we proved that studying at the School Complex in Malinowo is a combination of cutting-edge technology, passion, and a guaranteed career. If you are looking for a profession with great prospects, the glass industry equipment operator track is just for you! Don't wait! Recruitment is underway! Want to learn more? Visit our school office or talk to our teachers, who will passionately show you around the school.

The future of the glass industry is being forged right here – in Malinowo. Join us and shape it together with us!

During the Glass Festival, a wrap-up conference was held, marking not only the conclusion of the German partner's visit to Poland but also summarizing all project activities, alongside a presentation of the results achieved so far. During the conference, we hosted Alina Prochasek – a board representative of the Foundation for the Development of the Education System (FRSE), representatives of local and regional authorities including the Deputy Voivode of the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship Mateusz Szauer and the Staroste of the Działdowo Powiat Paweł Cieśliński, as well as representatives of higher education institutions, including the Academy of Fine Arts in Wrocław, the Faculty of Fine Arts at the Nicolaus Copernicus University (UMK) in Toruń, the AGH University of Kraków, and the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw. We were also joined by numerous representatives of industry institutions and businesses, such as the Polish Chamber of Packaging, Łukasiewicz-ICIMB, Heinz-Glas Polska, Dekorglass, Szkłomal, Vitrobudowa, GEA, and many others. We listened to a lecture by the Director of the CoVE, Piotr Dercz, on the establishment and current operations of the center, and a presentation by Joanna Górzyńska – a trainer and career advisor – on career paths within the glass industry. The conference concluded with the presentation of training completion certificates to the apprentices from Germany, as well as numerous expressions of gratitude to everyone involved in the project.