The best mechatronics trainers in Indonesia undergo continuing education in the Saarland
Saarland Association of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers and Traders • Technical instruction and an understanding of the dual training system
The Indonesian National Government has instigated a special programme in order to allow particularly capable experts delivering training and continuing education to obtain an international qualification.
In 2019, participants were dispatched to Japan, Australia, France and the German State of the Saarland as part of a programme entitled “A thousand teachers abroad for advanced scientific training". In the Saarland, Indonesia's best 16 mechatronics trainers were provided with individually tailored training programmes by the Saarland Association of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers and Traders.
A further aim of the continuing education was for the trainers to familiarise themselves with current vehicle technology and with modern diagnostic systems. The learning units delivered were particularly employment oriented and were also aligned to the current general conditions governing everyday working life in Indonesia.
Focusing on Indonesian occupational needs
The measures extended over a period of three weeks and took place at the Association’s training centre in Saarbrücken. This centre is a regular venue for apprentice training and master craftsman courses.
The technical focuses of the programme included the basic principles of electrics, current driver assistance, chassis and brake systems and various transmission mechanisms. During the programme, participants were required to demonstrate their knowledge by working autonomously to draw up and present worksheets. They were also taught about the German dual training system.
Contact with the Indonesian Government came about via the international gwSaar Network, which promotes the Saarland as an economic location all over the world. Indonesia and the Saarland are looking to continue their collaboration in future. Cooperation agreements are being planned, especially in the field of innovative technologies. This successful continuing education programme has laid the foundation for such future endeavours.
“We obtained precise knowledge about the competence level of the participants beforehand in order to be able to offer the right mix of challenge and support"
Dirk Scheidt, Saarland Association of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers and Traders
Dirk Scheidt, Head of the Training and Development Department at the Saarland Association of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers and Traders, placed particular importance on adapting contents and general conditions to the special needs of the target group whilst the measure was being designed. “We obtained precise knowledge about the competence level of the participants beforehand in order to be able to offer the right mix of challenge and support," said Mr. Scheidt. "We also sought to enhance their employability skills by taking our lead from the technical solutions that are in particular demand in Indonesia at the present time.”
Further projects planned
The 3rd Indonesia Innovation Day, which had previously been staged in the Netherlands and Japan, also took place at the University of Saarbrücken in 2019. Entrepreneurs and Centres of Excellence seeking to showcase their innovative products and identify specific development partners were amongst the Asian visitors.
The Saarland Association of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers and Traders has been engaging in cooperation with international partners for many years. Vocational school teachers from Namibia and students from South Korea have been received in the Saarland in the past. Saarland-based trainers have also conducted courses for vocational education and training (VET) training staff in Morocco and China. Further specific projects with South Korea and China are in the pipeline.
Information
This sucess story was first published in the iMOVE publication Developing Skills for Employability with German Partners • 8 Case Studies of Train-the-Trainer Solutions.
Saarland Association of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers and Traders (German only)
