Supported Learning visit to Germany

As there was an event at the college today, we were picked up from our accommodation at 8.30 which meant we all got some extra sleep!
Today Waltraud supported group 1 and I supported group 2

Group 1 (Suhler Werkstaetten)
There were many new tasks to be mastered today. All the learners were very busy and achieved a lot.
John K: I finished the job I started yesterday packaging bike parts.
John W: Assembling hydraulics appliances towards the production of dumper trucks. It was a very fiddly job. I also had to cut wires for a radio.
Gonzalo: Precision work, punching holes in files and inserting a metal attachment.
Catherine and Asha began their day packaging bike parts, but ended up leading a discussion on how and where they live and learn. Translated by Waltraud who also answered further questions by the staff relating to EHWLC.

Group 2 (Schleuusinggen)
Kerry Ann: I was shown how to carry the boxes and where to put them when they are full. I did a paintinnng todaay and I enjoyed that.
Scott: Today I put the labels on the boxes that we had packed. It was the same as yesterday except they were red and today ´they are black.
Martina: Iennjooyed it, but I aam very tired, it is hard work.
Sean: We were just putting blackring bindetrs in little boxes.
Jagdeep: The lunccch was really nice we had homemade llenntlle or green bean sssoup aannd bread
Judith: I was shown around the workstation by the manager Herr Holland-Letz . (aan eeenngineer bbbbbwwho hasss wwoorked here for 14 years) There are three parts, the largest is this one, one inShloisen and a third whiich is a laundry (it is hard work and reaches temperatures of 38° in the summer, serving local businesses and houses.
This work station provides employment and education for 140 people. They pride themselves on a holistic approach to the development of individuals - work, sports, and accommodation. In addition there is an educational psycologist, social worker and partime doctor
I found out that there are 30 workshops/rehabilitation centres in Thuringia providing employment for 5,000 people with a wide range of learning difficulties and disabilities, with token payments alongside their state benefits. (500 workstations across Germany)
They work closely with the local communiity (a village of only 70 inhabitants) providing employment (in the kitchens) for many locals. The Christmas and summer open days are very successful ensuring that they live together with the local community.
As we walked through the work shop the smell of star anise was powerful, as they package spices (10,000 per day, 100,000 per month) for supermarkets all year round. They also produce beautiful rustic benches (from the surrounding forrest) for walkers in the forest and for outlets throughout Germany. Bespoke dolls houses/buildings (ranches, big top, etc) and other wooden toys for a catalogue company.
Each group of (max) 12 has a supervisor, who all have H&S taining (OK with you Robin?). Our supervisor Stevan is a trainee Social Worker.