Since January this year, Volkswagen has been offering German standard training in the occupation of mechatronics fitter in Brazil in conjunction with five companies that is to say Kostal, ZF, Grob, Mahle and ThyssenKrupp. The programme for the first 20 trainees began at Volkswagen in São Paulo.
Training is governed by the same examination regulations that apply in Germany, but is conducted in Portuguese. Vocational school teaching is provided by the company's own school. In accordance with the dual model, young people complete the practical part of the scheme at the companies providing training.
The German-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in São Paulo organises all the theoretical and practical examinations and also offers a two-week advanced aptitude course for all trainers.
The introduction of dual training into the private sector constitutes a paradigm shift for the Brazilian educational system, in which training takes place solely in vocational schools. Even though vocational school courses include a practical element which involves working on machines, trainees qualify as skilled workers without ever having worked at a company.
The signature feature of German dual training – the designation of the company as a learning venue – is unimaginable for many in Brazil. For this reason, the Volkswagen project is a trail blazer which shows that dual VET is possible in Brazil.
Other German companies in Brazil such as Bosch and Stihl will be following suit later this year by introducing dual training for mechatronics fitters. The training project at Volkswagen is being supported by the German Investment and Development Corporation (DEG) within the scope of a special development partnership (develoPPP.de) which is funded via the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
The initiative behind the project has its basis in the ExperTS Programme, which also involves the Centre for International Migration and Development (CIM). The CIM engages skilled workers in around 30 countries to advise local and German countries on topics relating to development policy.
The programme is financed by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and creates a bridge between the promotion of foreign trade and development policy. It is implemented by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) in conjunction with the foreign chambers of commerce and industry, delegations from German trade and industry and bilateral consortia. The objective of ExperTS is to instigate innovative cooperation agreements and to secure commitment which benefits all sides.