The Industry-wide Training Centre of East Bavaria (ÜBZO) is leading the way by working together with partners in Germany and China.
The German dual system of vocational education and training is seen as a role model for China. With its "CoACH-ME" project, the ÜBZO, which often receives visitors from China, is doing its bit to turn vocational education and training international.
A Bavarian-Chinese vocational education and training project is being brought to life on a truly international basis. The Chinese government is using the principle of dual training as practised in Germany as a role model for developing its own standardised system of vocational education and training.
The ÜBZO has set up the "CoACH-ME" mobility project, which is being backed by the "Global Training" pilot programme run by the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BiBB).
The first step of the project will see six trainers and three vocational education and training officers from the ÜBZO sent to Shanghai for the first time, where they will spend one or two weeks at BHS Corrugated Machinery Co., Ltd. Their job is to lend a hand in developing a dual vocational education and training programme for apprentices wishing to become electronics engineers and industrial mechanics or mechatronics engineers.
First of all, the ÜBZO employees will analyse the current situation on the ground in Shanghai. Next, the vocational education and training staff working there will be trained in both subject-specific and professional teaching skills. Finally there will be an evaluation phase, during which measures for improvement will be developed.
"It is a strategic goal of the ÜBZO to internationalise vocational education and training", says Professor Dr Erich Bauer, Director of the ÜBZO.
Finding backing for the mobility project was an important milestone.
The results of the "CoACH-ME" project will help in developing the concept for an institute to be established on both the German and Chinese sides. This institute will provide an interface between the German and Chinese partners. It will also stimulate new research projects with China, act as an advisory service to help China set up a dual system of vocational education and training based on the German model, and promote further qualifications for vocational school teachers providing school-based training.