Erfurt 2/2019

Representatives of all 9 project partners attended the transnational project meeting held at the Verband der Metall- und Elektro-Industrie in Thüringen, Erfurt.

This was the second transnational project meeting where all project partners met. In addition to working discussions and workshops on project outcomes, we also focused on the experience of vocational training in Germany. On Monday, we focused on lectures on the organization of vocational training in Germany with an emphasis on the situation in Thuringia. According to statistics, employers are struggling with a lack of jobseekers, especially in technical professions. After a brief presentation of the dual education system in Germany, the participants heard a lecture on quality assurance in vocational training. Given the lack of labour market and vocational training, quality is an important factor for companies to find suitable pupil candidates. Successful companies place emphasis not only on professional knowledge and skills, but also on the overall development of the pupil's personality and its integration into the working team. The lecture was followed by the head of education at BMW, which presented the marketing tools in vocational training that the company uses to recruit pupils. There was some new information about cooperation within the pupil - parent - company triangle, especially the high level of engagement of companies in recruiting pupils.

The second day was devoted to a practical example of training at Bosch in Eisenach. After the introductory lecture we took a tour of the educational centre, where we were accompanied directly by pupils preparing for the company. The tour was accompanied by the possibility of discussion with pupils and employees. It was a very interesting finding that, although BOSH is among the most lucrative in terms of rewarding pupils in dual education, the biggest advantage of education in the company is seen by competent vocational training and enough time to prepare for the final exams. In smaller companies that do not have their own training centres, this is the biggest problem of dual education.

In addition to the scholarly program, we could also get acquainted with the cultural sights of Thuringia, including a tour of the historic centre of Erfurt, its dome and the region's landmark - the Wartburg Castle, a UNESCO-listed castle where Martin Luther translated the New Testament into German.