Vocational education and training has a high standing in Germany and the German system also boasts an excellent reputation worldwide. It provides young people with the training they need to become highly qualified experts and acquire excellent occupational competence. As vocational education and training forms an important pillar of society, the German Federal Government strives to further modernise it and make it even more attractive. To this end, it has set up the VETWorldwide programme. This programme, which funds stays abroad during vocational education and training, is intended to promote the development of international occupational competence as an important qualification for the future.
Erin Murdie,
Quelle: BiBB
: :As a result of their integration into operational practice, combined with in-depth theoretical training at vocational schools, the trainees from Germany develop extensive specialist knowledge and practical skills right from the start, enabling them to actively take on tasks in the company/training institution very quickly. This also benefits the host institutions in the host country, as the young talents have already gained a wide range of skills and expertise. Moreover, it opens up new perspectives for both sides and gives them the opportunity to discuss methods, technologies, market conditions and challenges. At the same time, the trainees can improve their foreign language skills and develop intercultural sensitivity in the team at the host company/training institution. Taking on a trainee from Germany is therefore a great advantage for you as the host institution in the host country.
We will now explain how you can take on a trainee from Germany, what advantages this has for you and what is expected of you. Incidentally, it costs you nothing at all to take on an intern from Germany.
VETWorldwide is a funding programme set up by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. It subsidises:
The contact between the company/training institution in the host country and the training company, vocational school or chamber in Germany is established by the companies/training institutions themselves. The VETWorldwide funding programme is responsible for providing funding. This means that the institution from Germany that is sending the trainee, or the trainee himself/herself, will approach you.
The institutions from Germany sending trainees may be training companies, vocational schools, chambers or other vocational education and training institutions in Germany. Often, the host companies/training institutions abroad will already have contact with the German institutions – for example through business partnerships or as branch offices. In some cases, though, new contacts are established, giving rise to new partnerships and networks.
If a German company, vocational school, trainee or business partner approaches you asking if you would like to take on a trainee in your everyday operations for a certain period of time, you should make sure that you actually have the necessary capacities to accompany and support the trainee.
Your commitment plays a key role in making the learning a success. Here’s what you would have to do:
You present a letter of intent to your German partner, confirming that you are willing to take on the trainee(s) in your institution for the specified period of time. The letter of intent forms part of the application documents for obtaining funding from VETWorldwide.
You are the point of contact for the trainee from Germany during the stay and support the trainee with regard to living in a foreign country. Ideally, you integrate the trainee into the social structure in your company/training institution and provide assistance in establishing a social life and leisure activities.
Together with the German partner, you draw up a learning and work agreement, specifying what you have agreed with the German partner as to what the trainees should learn and do during their time in your company.
You ensure a high-quality internship on the basis of the regular standards and working conditions in your company/training institution and thus play a substantial role in making the stay a success.
You welcome the trainee in your company, provide contact persons, introduce the trainee to the tasks involved and integrate the trainee into your everyday work.
As the host company/training institution, you gain an open-minded aspiring specialist who is very eager to learn from you and has already gained substantial knowledge. What’s more, you too can learn from the intercultural exchange and the expertise the trainee brings along.
Advantages for host companies/training institutions:
The trainees from Germany have completed most of their training and are already well qualified. This means that they have in-depth professional experience and expertise from which your company/training institution can benefit.
The exchange improves the conditions for economic cooperation and for working in culturally diverse teams.
Your own staff may also benefit from the professional and intercultural exchange. The encounters may mark the beginning of a long-term business partnership, or may help to deepen or consolidate an existing partnership.
You contribute to the further development of work-based learning on an international level.
You support young adults in their professional and personal development, fostering international encounters and understanding.
It doesn’t cost you anything – and you gain a motivated intern with great potential.
You will not incur any costs in your role as host company/training institution. VETWorldwide pays subsidies for the outward/return journey and for every day of the stay. In addition, the trainees continue to receive their training salary from the German company. Your role as host company/training institution entails taking on the trainees and establishing good framework conditions for learning.
Then don’t hesitate to contact the team at VETWorldwide. Our aim is to enable intercultural and professional exchange to the benefit of both sides. Our funding programme takes care of the financing.
In the interview, Regional Managing Director for Switzerland, France and Belgium, Jens Roemer, and Route Manager in Basel, Beat Martin Huerzeler, report on their positive experience of working with the trainee and explain why they would take on trainees from Germany again.
VETworldwide
ausbildung-weltweit@bibb.de
Programm guidance: 0228 / 107 1611
Public Relations: 0228 / 107 1688
Programmoperation
Learn more about the Dual VET System
The continuous training of skilled workers in Germany's dual vocational training system is an important basis for the country's strong economy. But what does dual mean? And how exactly does dual vocational training work? Who is involved in deciding what young people learn during their training? GOVET provides answers to these questions.
Informationsheet VETworldwide
The information sheet concisely summarizes the most important information about the VETworldwide funding program and what is funded.
