The Czech parquet layer guild invited Heinz Brehm and Josef Heller of EUFA P+F to take part in an education project.
Eight Czech parquet layers met up with the two EUFA representatives in Osečná near Liberec for a workshop, end of september.
The event was prepared by Vice-President Jiří Dvořák and Board Member Josef Černý. They rented the hotel complex Tvrz Krassa. Next to modern guest rooms, there was a large hall with enough room for uninterrupted working.
Purpose of the workshop was to get to know different working techniques and to gather experience in effective and safe handling of parquet layer machines.
Marking techniques for cutting the parquet rods were worked out, a by EUFA created work instruction helped to apply stops for rational sawing and templates for precise sawing were created.
One essential part of the workshop was the handling of sawing stops to saw parquet rods. After a long development time, the stop reached a point, where many sawing cuts can be executed rationally and safe. Any sawing machines have been equipped with it. In the beginning there were some insecurities considering the correct handling, but in the end every participant wished for a sawing stop. Heinz Brehm and Josef Heller promised to manufacture more stops and to send them to our Czech colleagues.
For preparation, there were scripts with around 50 pages.
It could be seen that the participants completed their work very easily, fast and safe, after taking time to discuss the work planning.
Seeing the participants contribute by suggesting concept variations was a very interesting experience. These were tested and evaluated.
The participants got the chance to exchange ideas by a range of patterns:
Coffered pattern with and without mitre, diagonal dice pattern, rue pattern and fish bone pattern. Also, possible applications for a skill saw in addition to a bench saw were acquired.
Working with people of two languages can only succeed when the language barrier is overcome. Therefore, Hana Tomešová lent support with perfect and vigorous language.
The Guild-President Mariana Mahulíková informed herself about the successful education during her visits.
Romana Hospodářská of the Prague Economic Chamber invested a whole day to get an idea of this kind of education. She wants to find ways to intensify the apprenticeship and education of parquet layers in Czech Republic. She was hoping for the support of the European Union through the aid program ´Erasmus´.
Eventually every participant got handed a certificate for their successful workshop participation.
For all participants the workshop presented exciting days in Czech Republic. Each side could return home with a lot of new experiences.
Authored by EUFA-Secretary
Josef Heller