“Evergreen” from Lycée du Nord in Wiltz, won both the prize for the best Practice Enterprise of the fair and the prize for the best stand; Credit: © Pierre Levy de Levygraphie

On Thursday 7 December 2023 the non-profit organisation Jonk Entrepreneuren Luxembourg organised its sixteenth “Luxembourg Practice Enterprises Trade Fair” (Foire des Entreprises d’Entraînement); more than 300 students gathered to participate.

In total, 20 companies from thirteen secondary schools were present at the Forum Geesseknäppchen in Luxembourg-Hollerich.

The concept of the practice enterprise has existed since the 1950s and is implemented in many countries across various sectors (school, professional training, professional reintegration, etc.). In Luxembourg, it was introduced in 2006 into the school curriculum as a compulsory course. Since then, the practice enterprise has been a course taught in general secondary education – vocational training regime – administrative and commercial division.

Nadia Battello, director of Jonk Entrepreneuren, said: “The sixteenth Luxembourg Practice Enterprises Trade Fair was once again a great success, offering a day brimming with energy, enthusiasm and entrepreneurial spirit. The more than 300 young participants demonstrated creativity, courage and remarkable commitment. The results of their efforts and team spirit were clearly visible in the 20 practice enterprises that we visited during the day.”

She also emphasised that this method aims to complement the traditional school framework, promoting “learning by doing”. Exchanges with the professional world also play an important role in this programme. Sponsor companies actively support young participants, while jury members share their expertise. Trainers, coaches, and teachers are equally actively involved in the project.

Practice Enterprises are fictitious companies integrated into a global network constituting a real parallel market. This approach aims to allow students to undertake commercial actions between themselves by simulating the real market as closely as possible.

The objective of the practice enterprises is to put into practice the theoretical knowledge acquired in other courses and to gain an overview of the functioning of a business. They aim to promote interactions between the different departments as well as with external authorities.

The Luxembourg Practice Enterprises Trade Fair takes place annually and allows practice enterprises to meet and create commercial alliances. A competition also takes place with the following four prizes available: “Best file & catalogue”, “Best stand”, “Best customer service and commercial practice”, “Best presentation” and finally “Best practice enterprise”. Two optional prizes are also offered, namely the “Innovation Prize” and the “Sustainable Development Prize”.

The jury is made up of six members - three representatives from the world of education and three representatives from the world of business - who evaluated the practice enterprises to designate the winners. This year’s jury was formed of:

  • Blanche Lamesch, Head of the Promotion and Awareness of Trades Department of the Chamber of Trades;
  • Carole Meyer, Innovation Division of the National Youth Service (Service National de la Jeunesse – SNJ);
  • Jean-Luc Bermes, Corporate Banking at Spuerkeess;
  • Laure Guyot, SDK Akademie;
  •  Sandy Neu, teacher at the Center for Social-Emotional Development (Centre pour le développement socio-émotionnel – CDSE)
  • Tom Emeringer, teacher at Lycée Aline Mayrisch

The winners

  • “Evergreen” from Lycée du Nord in Wiltz, won both the prize for the best Practice Enterprise of the fair and the prize for the best stand;
  • “Spillwiss” from Lycée Technique de Lallange was awarded the prize for best customer service and commercial practice;
  • “Travel2Bee” from Lycée Technique d’Ettelbruck secured the prize for best presentation;
  • “101Street” from the École Privée Marie-Consolatrice in Esch won the prize for best file and catalogue;
  • “LX Sneakers” from Lënster Lycée International School received the Innovation prize
  •  the “TMTT” team from the Lycée Technique de Bonnevoie won the sustainable development prize.

Moreover, an independent jury, among the 311 participating students, designated and rewarded the five best sellers of the fair through the “Mystery Shopping” method.