Varaždin Protective School Workshop

The Protective workshop of the Secondary Vocational School, the first of the kind in Croatia, employs people with disabilities and reduced working abilities. Employees perform a wide range of activities in the production of work, protective clothing, bedding, leather goods, office, school, kitchen furniture and carpentry. The aim is to provide increased care for disabled who cannot otherwise be employed or maintain employment in the labor market. Innovation is seen in adaptation of work tasks, methods, and implementation of work to each individual in order to reach their full work potential.

People with disabilities in Croatia face discrimination and high unemployment rates in Croatia with few opportunities. Varaždin Protective School (“Srednja strukovna škola Varaždin”) provides work by promoting their education, training and employment and active contribution to the community. The programme supports people with disabilities with secure employment to achieve financial independence.

Varaždin Protective School Workshop was founded in 1968 and is one of the first work integration programme for people with disabilities in Croatia. We employ and provide training in a wide range of activities from producing clothing to carpentry. Our programme adapts each position to meet each employee for them to reach their full potential on the job.

The programme works with people with disabilities and reduced working abilities at Varaždin Vocational School. All workshop employees have full employment rights under the school’s collective agreement. Our programme provides people with disabilities the opportunity to earn an income with dignified work and connect to the local community.

Through the programme, people with disabilities earn a steady income and raise their quality of life. We have also provided training for more than 3,000 participants. Our programme also raises awareness and fights discrimination toward people with disabilities. 

Through the programme, people with disabilities earn a steady income and raise their quality of life. We have also provided training for more than 3,000 participants. Our programme also raises awareness and fights discrimination toward people with disabilities. Varaždin Protective School Workshop contributes to the inclusion of people with disabilities in the local community. The programme also advocates for further social responsibility, diversity, and solidarity in business and society.