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Business Studies News

Prague - The Home of Skoda

In recent years Prague has become a thriving tourist destination and an important trade centre.  As one of the EU’s newest members, the Czech Republic is a prime example of a rapidly changing economy which makes it an ideal location for your Business Studies Tour. 

 

With a plethora of educational excursions for Business Studies students it’s difficult to decide where to start – Pilsner Urquell Brewery, Museum of Communism or the Slavia Prague Football Stadium are all options.  Our recommendation, however, is the Skoda Car Factory and Museum which is one of the few car companies that allows visitors into its factory to witness the car production process from start to finish.  Skoda is a world renowned brand that has overcome hard times including war, economic depression and political change and today is part of the Volkswagen AG group – the largest car manufacturer in Europe holding 12% market share of the world car market.

 

The tour begins with a film and exhibition on the history and development of car production.  It explains how, in 1895, two keen cyclists, Vaclav Laurin and Vaclav Klement, designed and produced their own bicycle.  Their company became Škoda in 1925 and went on to manufacture cycles, cars, farm ploughs and airplanes in Eastern Europe.  The film and exhibition aim to give your students a better understanding of the peaks and troughs the Skoda brand has faced throughout its years of existence. 

 

Once they have heard the facts, your students get a chance to see it for themselves by visiting the display of some of Skoda’s earliest and most iconic cars, giving them the opportunity to compare the old cars still to be renovated with those that have been restored to their former glory.   After exploring the timeline of Skoda from the exterior of their cars you can move through to the engine gallery to explore 60 years of engine design.  Here a 3D film about the progression and development of Skoda engines can be viewed. 

 

The experience continues with a short coach transfer to the car manufacturing plant for an extended tour of the engine and car assembly areas.  This allows the students to witness the car production process from start to finish. 

 

In 2007 Skoda confirmed its intentions to continually improve the education of its current employees, and future ones, when it opened the Na Karmeli Education Centre.  The education centre provides students with an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the newest trends in the automobile industry, whilst at the same time presents Skoda with a chance to discover the most talented students who are then offered a job once they graduate.  The 390 million CZK investment, over £13.2 million, by Skoda into continued education of their employees should be witnessed with a visit to the Na Karmeli Education Centre - a must for all Business Studies students. 

 

Not only does this visit allow students to learn more about production processes and the peaks and troughs of the automobile industry, but it also gives student a real insight into the importance of brand positioning and in Skoda’s case, repositioning.

 

Prague is brimming with excursions that would develop your students understanding of ‘real-world’ business practises and issues beyond the Skoda Car Factory and Museum.  So why not combine an exceptionally educational trip with a chance to visit one of the most awe-inspiring cities in Europe - Prague? 

 

Visit the Prague Homepage for further information on what’s on offer in and around Prague or contact our knowledgeable Educational Tours department on 01332 347 828.

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