At the formal awarding of National Professional Qualification certificates for drop forgers in Zreče on 5 May 2011, certificates were awarded to the first candidates by: the Slovenian Institute for Vocational Education, Elido Bandelj, the National Examinations Centre, Slavko Lapajna, the Slovenske Konjice – Zreče School Centre, Milan Sojč and the Chairman of the Board of Unior Joint-Stock Company, Gorazd Korošec.
Within the Partnership project, the drop forger education programme was also implemented at the Slovenske Konjice – Zreče School Centre in the PARTNERSHIP project through cooperation between the following partners: the Slovenske Konjice – Zreče School Centre, the Unior Joint-Stock Company, the Slovenian Institute for Vocational Education and the Etno – Eko Institute.
Within the project entitled Opening the Education and Training Systems to the Wider Environment – a Partnership, a training programme for obtaining the National Professional Qualification of drop forger was developed. The overall purpose of the connection and cooperation with the included partners was based on improving the quality and efficiency of education and training systems, developing human resources and lifelong learning and increasing the quality of work and life.
The Slovenske Konjice – Zreče School Centre was awarded the license to implement the procedure for obtaining the professional qualification of DROP FORGER. As a training partner, UNIOR acquired the conditions for the implementation of practical and theoretical training and a licence for examination by the National Examinations Centre. The Slovenian Institute for Vocational Education became the partner participating in the elaboration of the National Professional Qualification.
The process of drop forging is performed within Unior’s largest Forge programme with almost constant staffing requirements. With its Forge programme, Unior is among the most important suppliers of automotive components for some of the most renowned European automotive manufacturers. The National Professional Qualification of drop forger will provide an opportunity for promotion and professional development, systematic training through the work process and all introductory stages, adequately trained and competent employees in the process of drop forging (a higher level of training and education for drop forgers) and the acquisition of a formal qualification.
The drop forging process is considerably different to standard forging where a forger mechanically works the material in the process of open-die forging with hammers and anvils. This is used for manufacturing simple products in small batches. Drop forging is a typical metal processing using forging presses and engraving tools that give an almost final shape to the forgings (temperature up to 1250 °C). The forgings produced by a drop forger can be substantially more complex.
