Mallorca dry-stone builders reject 600-hour course
On the island of Mallorca, dry-stone builders reject a 600-hour training plan: they say it is too short and leaves too little time for hands-on teaching. Their trade association, the Gremi de Margers, rejected the plan on 19 October and wrote to Education and Universities Minister Antoni Vera.
The proposed certificate covers pedra en sec, the local term for dry-stone construction. The association says the Department of Education and Universities initially planned to hire an architect to teach the course without bringing in a builder from the trade. IES Politècnic later hired one, but their practical teaching hours would be about half those devoted to theory, the association says.
The builders say theory has a place, but cannot replace practice or the skills passed on by experienced craftspeople. They argue that 600 hours could serve as a first stage, not the full training. They fear the plan could let down enrolled students and hamper efforts to bring new people into a trade they see as vital to preserving Mallorca’s buildings and landscape.
The association wants an urgent review of the course, the choice of teachers and the division of teaching hours. It has asked to meet the Directorate-General for Vocational Training and offered to help improve the certificate.
Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com