Techniques Nov-Dec 2012 - 41

Business and Industry Partnerships
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An electrician apprentice works on measuring and controlling skills while completing an assignment in ArcelorMittal’s training facility.

A mechatronics technician apprentice demonstrates how to use lasers in alignment activities, a skill he is mastering in the ArcelorMittal training lab.

focused, upper-secondary schools. More than two-thirds of German youth choose the VET system, where they are able to both work and learn over a two- to threeand-a-half-year commitment. Students enrolled in the VET system are employed as “apprentices” in approximately 350 different occupations in companies around the country. They alternate between practical job training at the job site and time in school—perhaps spending one to two days per week in school or alternating longer blocks of time, such as four weeks on the job site and two weeks in school. As in the United States, the education system is subject to strong local control, with most decisions being made at the German state, or Lander, level. This is definitely true of the VET school component, although there is federal oversight of workplace training. In school, students spend approximately one-third of their time on general subjects like social studies, economics, foreign languages and religion, and the rest on more vocationally oriented two-thirds of subjects like technology, applied math and technical drawing. In many ways, this setup is similar to CTE programs in the United States. The biggest difference is the level
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of systemic employer involvement and the worksite training that accompanies school for the students.

ArcelorMittal—Committed to the System
To observe the employer side of the dual system firsthand, we visited ArcelorMittal, a company deeply involved in the education and training of its next generation of employees. ArcelorMittal is the world’s largest steel producer, with approximately 270,000 employees in 27 countries, including at four production facilities in Germany. At ArcelorMittal Bremen, products include slabs, hot rolled coils, pickled and galvanized coils, and laserwelded plates for the automotive and construction industry, as well as white goods (appliances) manufacturers. Employees must have up-to-date knowledge and skills to maintain high product quality. One of the ways that ArcelorMittal maintains this high-skill employee base is through participation in the German VET system. Each year, the Bremen plant admits 64 students to its training program in areas including industrial electronics, mechatronics, construction, materials and industrial mechanics. To be selected into this highly competitive program, students

must have graduated from secondary school, show interest and aptitude in electronics and mechanical systems, have proficient German language skills and know English, be computer literate, and display an awareness of responsibility and the willingness to work at further skills and personal development. These are highly sought-after training experiences only for the most motivated and qualified students. For example, applicants are subjected to tests of theory, as well as mechanical knowledge and applied tasks, to determine their ability to work in teams and apply problem-solving skills. Twelve full-time instructors are employed by the company to work with the apprentices on professional competence, decisionmaking and responsibility, design competence, social competence and lifelong learning. Even at the worksite, apprentices spend a good portion of their time in classrooms and labs learning the skills that will be needed in their jobs. The first year of the program starts with instruction in areas like safety, creativity (a key component of the program) and basic modules in metal working; lathing and milling; pneumatics; installations and electronics; as well as time working in the plant. In addition to the 12 instructors at
November/December 2012

Techniques

Techniques Nov-Dec 2012

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