Interview with FORUM Berufsbildung

iMOVE: What is the name and background of your organisation?

Dr. Helmut Riethmueller: FORUM Berufsbildung is an independent, non-profit making educational institution offering further education, vocational training, seminars, in-house training programmes and distance learning courses. The company was founded in 1985 and now serves about 2,000 students at a time.

iMOVE: Which services in the field of vocational education and training do you offer?

Dr. Riethmueller: We teach in many different business areas, for example business economics, computer literacy, setting up businesses, non-profit and the retail industry. Since its founding FORUM has been developing and conducting courses supported by the German Agency for Labour. Over the years, we have become the most important independent vocational training institution for the health food and organic food trading sector in Germany.

iMOVE: What are your international business experiences?

Dr. Riethmueller: Currently FORUM is establishing an international network for vocational training programmes. Our international branch was founded two years ago, with projects in Europe, China and India. In the framework of a LEONARDO DA VINCI partnership we are currently developing training standards in the field of organic food trading, and in a LEONARDO DA VINCI transfer of innovation project we are setting up an e-Learning platform for the organic retail sector.

In the Chinese city Suzhou we are in contact with Chinese and German vocational training centres and companies. In China there is a great need for further training of technical staff and in the field of business management. In the south of India in the states of Kerala and Kernattaca we are dealing with Indian companies interested in further training in the technical field, and also in office management and organic food trading. We want to combine prevocational trading, organic agriculture and organic trading in order to support regional structures.

iMOVE: Which key service do you have on offer for a successful cooperation with international partners?

Dr. Riethmueller: In China and India there is a great need for "training of trainers", especially in regard to modern teaching methods. One of our key services is bridging the gap between theoretical training on the one hand, and practical requirements in the offices or in production on the other hand. Together with our team of experts from several industrial branches we are initiating improvement processes, which enable our clients to further important business capacities on their own.

In Bangalore we have developed a distance learning course on the topic "International Marketing" as a postgraduate training programme for B.A. students. The Indian German chamber of commerce is our partner. The course consists of three study units, which exist both on paper and on the internet. In surplus we offer online-communication, and the exchange of tests and project work via e-mail. For the chamber of commerce this is a new approach to learning, and we hope to teach students from all over India.

© photos: FORUM Berufsbildung