SCHOOL CENTER SLOVENJ GRADEC, HIGHER VOCATIONAL COLLEGE
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
The Higher Vocational College Slovenj Gradec has an established Career Centre. Through the Career Centre section on the College website, students can access up-to-date information on career guidance and career development. Students may arrange an individual career counselling appointment by email. During the counselling process, the Career Adviser also conducts a personal interview in accordance with the College’s Career Guidance Guidelines. Each month, the College publishes Information Guides covering opportunities in education, employment, training, and scholarships.
A graduate survey conducted in 2021 showed that employment rates increased among both full-time and part-time graduates and remain high. Graduates also reported that obtaining their diploma improved their opportunities for career advancement and professional mobility.
Employment opportunities for our graduates extend across all areas of business within companies, public institutions, and organisations, while Informatics Engineers are particularly sought after in the field of modern information and communication technologies. Employers frequently enquire about our students even before they complete their studies, demonstrating the strong employability of our graduates.
Higher Vocational Study Programmes last two years and lead to a Higher Vocational qualification, preparing graduates for professions defined in the national occupational classification and occupational standards. The programmes are strongly practice-oriented, with approximately 40% of the curriculum dedicated to Practical Training in companies.
Applicants may enrol if they have completed:
the General Matura, the Vocational Matura (or the final examination or diploma obtained before the introduction of the Vocational Matura) following a general secondary school programme, any secondary technical education programme (including vocational-technical education), or
a successfully completed Vocational Course, or
the Master Craftsman, Foreman, or Business Manager examination, provided they have at least three years of work experience and have successfully completed the examination in Slovene Language and Literature and Mathematics or a Foreign Language at the level required for the Vocational Matura.
VISION OF THE HIGHER VOCATIONAL COLLEGE SLOVENJ GRADEC
We combine experience with knowledge and knowledge with creativity.
MISSION OF THE HIGHER VOCATIONAL COLLEGE SLOVENJ GRADEC
To provide educational programmes that meet the needs of organisations for highly qualified professionals and to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed for a successful professional career.
VALUES OF THE HIGHER VOCATIONAL COLLEGE
Responsibility
Cooperation
Lifelong Learning
Respect
The Higher Vocational College Slovenj Gradec has been providing education to students for more than twenty-two years through three study programmes: Economist, Business Secretary, and Informatics. All three programmes are offered as full-time and part-time study. We are proud of our more than 1,100 graduates who have successfully completed their studies. The Economist study programme is also delivered at our Velenje unit.
A distinctive feature of our Higher Vocational Study Programmes is their strong practical orientation. Employers work closely with us in updating programme content and providing Practical Training opportunities. Students complete 10 weeks of Practical Training in each academic year in companies, institutions, and organisations.
During their studies, we provide students with career guidance and connect them with employers seeking graduates who possess the knowledge, skills, and competences acquired through our programmes.
Our lecturers use the latest information technologies in teaching, organise professional study visits in Slovenia and abroad, and invite guest experts from industry to share their knowledge and experience. The Slovenian Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education has also recognised our College with an Award for Excellence.
Our students are actively involved in the Student Community, which organises a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, cultural, and social events. Lecturers and other College staff actively participate in these activities as well.
The Higher Vocational College Slovenj Gradec is recognised for its positive learning environment, highly qualified lecturers and staff, opportunities to complete Practical Training abroad, and above all, its commitment to student satisfaction. Student satisfaction ratings consistently demonstrate excellent results.
We wish all final-year secondary school students every success in choosing their future studies, and we sincerely believe that the Higher Vocational College Slovenj Gradec is an excellent choice.
At introductory meetings for each year of the study programme, students are informed about the different ways of finding employers for Practical Training. They are encouraged to find their own placements and are advised on the most effective approach to contacting potential employers.
During individual meetings with the Practical Training Coordinator, students receive guidance on how to prepare a CV, write a cover letter, present themselves professionally to employers, and successfully apply for Practical Training. Students are encouraged to be as independent as possible throughout the process.
The Practical Training Coordinator provides additional support to students who are unable to secure a placement independently. This includes assistance with preparing application documents, recommending suitable companies, and suggesting additional employers to contact. If necessary, the Practical Training Coordinator will arrange a suitable placement on the student’s behalf.
This is followed by introductory meetings between the Practical Training Coordinator and company mentors, during which the study programmes, learning outcomes, required competences, the mentor’s role, and the necessary documentation are presented.
Based on the confirmations received from employers, the Practical Training Coordinator prepares the Practical Training Agreements, which students submit to the companies and institutions for signature. In the case of certain organisations, particularly public institutions, individual clauses of the agreement are adjusted to comply with the employer’s specific requirements.
The Higher Vocational College Slovenj Gradec cooperates with more than 100 successful companies in the Koroška Region and throughout Slovenia, as some students also complete Practical Training remotely. Students may choose from a wide range of companies, public institutions, and organisations. In many cases, students are offered employment by the organisations where they complete their Practical Training.
Our students have earned an excellent reputation among employers in the Koroška Region and beyond. They are recognised for their broad and practical knowledge, which enables them to make a valuable contribution already during their Practical Training placements.
STUDY PROGRAMMES
ECONOMIST
Economists play an essential role in the business world by ensuring the successful management of sales and purchasing activities for products and services, while also monitoring business operations from organisational, financial, and accounting perspectives.
Who is an Economist? An Economist is a professional who is expected to organise and manage the purchasing and sales processes for products and services, while ensuring effective communication and the efficient use of information and communication technologies to support business operations, finance, and accounting.
COMPUTER SCIENCE AND INFORMATICS
Computer Science and Informatics is a rapidly growing field that has an increasing impact on today’s information society and economy. As a result, professionals in this field are in high demand. The Higher Vocational Study Programme in Computer Science and Informatics equips graduates with the practical skills and knowledge required for successful integration into the modern workplace.
Who is a Computer Science and Informatics Engineer? A Computer Science and Informatics Engineer is a specialist in information and communication technologies. Graduates possess broad professional and practical knowledge that enables them to manage all aspects of their profession. Owing to the continuous development of the field, they are committed to continuously updating and expanding their expertise.
COSMETICS
Cosmetics is a rapidly developing field that requires increasingly advanced professional knowledge in areas such as make-up, manicure, massage, pedicure, the use of cosmetic products and modern cosmetic equipment, as well as advising clients on healthy lifestyle choices. The Higher Vocational Study Programme in Cosmetics is designed to provide comprehensive theoretical knowledge together with practical professional skills, fully aligned with current developments in the cosmetics profession.
Who is a Higher Cosmetics Professional? A Higher Cosmetics Professional is a qualified specialist prepared to meet the challenges of this rapidly expanding profession and the growing demand for highly skilled practitioners. Upon successful completion of the programme, graduates are able to work professionally in the fields of make-up, manicure, massage, pedicure, the application of cosmetic products and advanced cosmetic technologies, while also providing clients with professional advice on healthy lifestyle practices.