4th Arab-German Education and Vocational Training Forum

The 4th Arab-German Education and Vocational Training Forum once again showed that there is an urgent economic and social need for vocational training in the Arab world; in many places, however, there is not enough social acceptance for such. An academic education followed by a position in public service are considered in many countries to be an ideal career path to be definitely aspired to.

The private sector meanwhile is looking for qualified young talent yet does not get very involved in their training. Academic courses of study with significant practical components are considered to be an ideal approach to winning over young people to a vocational qualification and also to involving more companies in the development of skilled labour.

According to the experts, the employment shortage as a consequence of lacking training has become especially clear in the course of the Arab Spring. Last but not least, a further increase in the unemployment rate is feared due to the demographic developments.

They also recommended that medium-sized companies should be strengthened in order to once again increase the absorption rate of the labour markets since this segment can create new jobs. Other ways this objective might be achieved include entrepreneur training programmes for young skilled workers and privately based micro-financial aid.

Vocational education and training benefits individuals, the economy and society as a whole

In his welcome speech, Markus Milwa, Director of iMOVE, pointed out that with the Education and Vocational Training Forum, the optimal platform had been created in order to spur on German-Arab cooperation in training and education. He also tuned the participants into the following examples of cooperation which, in the course of the forum, made it clear how much movement has already been infused into the exchange.

Ghorfa President Thomas Bach emphasized that training is a crucial future topic for individuals but also represents entire societies. He stressed that German partners in particular can provide the Arab countries with suitable practice and market oriented training offerings.

According to Federal Minister of Education Annette Schavan, education is what writes emancipation and freedom history. The patron of the event showed the connection between education, development and peace. She cautioned her listeners not to lose sight of the future opportunities of the young generation but rather to take an active role with their own actions. For this reason, she campaigned for optimum blending of education and employment systems to create a win-win situation for employees and companies alike with good training.

The Saudi Arabian Ambassador Osama bin Abdul Majed Shobokshi gave a number of examples for already existing German-Arab training partnerships. He stressed in particular the efforts of the Saudi government in the wake of the rapid population growth of 1.5 per cent per year: One fourth of the government's budget for this year, approximate 45 billion dollars is allocated for education and qualification - a top international figure.

Abdulhafed Thabet Noaman, the Yemeni Minister for Vocational Education and Training, expressed his thanks for the assistance provided to his country up to now by Germany. His intention is spur on the establishment and expansion of vocational training centres. Another goal is to gain a greater commitment from the business community for vocational training and continuing education. He is counting on international support, first and foremost from his Arab neighbours.

Reinhold Weiß, Vice-President of the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB), discussed the significance of vocational education and training in offering important leverage in the integration of young people in the labour market. This would require however, the involvement of companies and political stakeholders. According to him, BIBB's central activities of BIBB include, in addition to developing training careers, international cooperation in vocational education and training with partner countries.

Vocational training can improve its status through integration in academic structures

In her session, Astrid Ohl-Loff of the Schwäbisch Gmünd Teacher Training College welcomed experts who presented examples of successful transfer and adaptation of training system components.

For Egypt, Ashraf Mansour of the German University of Cairo pointed out how deficiencies in the economic and educational system as a trigger of the high young employment rate among young people can be effectively faced. In many areas, such as journalist and kindergarten teacher training and continuing education in the production industry, there are already German-Egyptian partnerships in place.

Anton Mangstl, Vice-President of the German-Jordanian University, painted a clear picture of the institution's work. He described, as particular success factors, the close ties with German industry and the contribution to the cultural development of both countries which periods of study abroad spent in Germany by Arab students make.

For the Confederation of German Employers, Susanne Müller stressed how important the significantly different remits of social partners and the government are for the German dual system to function properly.

Sefik Alp Bahadir, head of the Centre for Iraq Studies at the University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, spoke on the country-wide reach and programme diversity of the Baghdad-Erbil-Erlangen Project (BEEP).

Thomas Haalboom, a professor at Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University praised the advantages of a dual course of study integrating academic and practice-oriented training and which has already been established in Egypt for the training of mechatronic fitters.

The ensuing discussion emphasized that potential trainees in Arab countries need to be made particularly aware of the appeal of vocational training with the employment and income opportunities such training brings with it. In the future, Arab compatriots who have already received practice-oriented training could, in particular, serve to bring across this message.