The Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) and the German Association of Certified Industrial Foremen (IMV) are seeking to collaborate even more closely in future in the field of management training in private sector technical occupations.
The two organisations have concluded a cooperation agreement with the aim of working together to counter the challenges of securing a supply of qualified staff.
"The core issue is the further development of higher level vocational education and training in the technical sector," stated Oliver Heikaus, Head of the Continuing Training Division at the DIHK. "In-service training for managers and junior management staff play a central role in this regard."
Otto Piehl, CEO of the IMV, added: "Simply obtaining a certified industrial foreman qualification is no longer sufficient nowadays. Lifelong learning and regional networking with other managers are more important than ever."
For this reason, the new partnership aims to foster the exchange of information and experiences, permeability between continuing vocational training and higher education pathways and cooperation on new projects.
A further objective of the cooperation agreement is to strengthen the close degree of collaboration that already often exists between the regional chambers of commerce and industry and the IMV, which has a presence in many of these regions.
The local stakeholders involved will seek to act in even greater harmony in future in order to attend to the continuing training of management staff in private sector technical occupations.