Training with distinction: The office furniture company Assmann Büromöbel in Berlin has been awarded the Hermann-Schmidt prize for outstanding performance in vocational education and training. "Securing future talent and career development through vocational education and training" was the theme of the annual competition of the "Innovative Vocational Education and Training" association [Innovative Berufsbildung e. V.].
Dirk Assmann, Managing Partner, accepted the prize in front of more than 800 guests during the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training's (BIBB) international congress "VET of tomorrow – experience innovations".
The Hermann-Schmidt prize has been awarded annually since 1997 to celebrate and raise the profile of innovative projects from vocational education and training practice. "We are highly delighted to have received this renowned award," commented Assmann in Berlin. "For us, this represents both confirmation and a source of motivation. We have invested a great deal in vocational education and training over the past few years. For us, good training is, and remains, a mainstay of our 'good work' principal.
The association used the competition theme to focus on training career networks, integration of lateral entrants, company-based career models and creative ideas for training and continuing education. Assmann Büromöbel knew how to impress in all areas. The specialist jury praised the large number of inter-coordinated individual projects strategically packaged together to address the shortage of skilled workers over the long-term as well as the demographic change.'
It also acknowledged in particular "that the activities contained both internal as well as intercompany regional elements". "We're proud, not only that our ideas enable us to attract the next generation of committed skilled workers to our company, but also that we have been recognised today as one of only four prizewinners throughout Germany," commented Rabea Brammer-Surendorff, head of training at Assmann Büromöbel.
In Melle, there are currently 20 young people are completing their training as industrial clerks, information technology specialists in application technology and systems integration, wood mechanics, and professional drivers. The Hermann-Schmidt prize comes with prize money which Assmann Büromöbel is intending to invest entirely in the ongoing optimisation of their training work.