2nd German-African Forum on Vocational Training and Education

At the 2nd German-African Forum on Vocational Training and Education in Frankfurt am Main, the German education sector showcased its innovative education offers in numerous panel discussions, at information stands, and in one-on-one conversations. There were around 85 attendees, including the three education ministers from Angola, Ghana, and Namibia. For the following day, iMOVE organised visits to educational providers in the Rhine-Main area to provide the African partners with some first-hand experience of "Training - Made in Germany".

The event entitled "Digitalisation - Scaling up for today's labour market" focused on digitalisation in the areas of vocational training and continuing education, the demand for training in the emerging hydrogen sector in Africa, and the role of women in education and training. It was also about the benefits of demand-focused, commercial cooperation with the private sector, as well as sustainable projects and initiatives for ensuring successful vocational education and training cooperation with African partners.

Many African countries are now in the process of modernising their vocational training systems and have recognised the relevance of practical vocational education and training to economic development. Many decision-makers regard the German dual system of vocational education and training as a helpful guide and as a frame of reference.

In many places in Africa, however, vocational education and training suffers from a poor image within society as well as from underfunding. Private sector involvement in the organisation of training is very limited and the educational content often does not reflect the needs of companies. The wide-ranging reform efforts being made by African countries therefore also present an opportunity for the German education sector to contribute its expertise to the process.

In their opening addresses, Christoph Kannengießer, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the German-African Business Association (Afrika-Verein der deutschen Wirtschaft), and Dr. Andreas Werner, Head of iMOVE in the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB), emphasised the importance of investment in the education sector, the need for private-sector involvement, and the significance of innovative approaches such as hydrogen projects – themes which also played a key role in the panel discussions which followed.

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) was represented by Kristin Hess, who highlighted the ministry's cooperative arrangements in vocational education and training in her address and made reference to the new CooperationVET funding directive. Within the framework of this directive, projects can also be implemented in Africa.

Albert Nsengiyumva, Secretary General of the Association for Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) based in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, concluded the opening speeches via video message.

Birgit Thomann, Head of BIBB's international department, highlighted the activities of the institute which had links to Africa, in particular the new partnership with the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET) in Ghana and the joint BILT programme with UNESCO-UNEVOC. The project is focused on new qualifications and competencies and facilitates peer learning and networking between African, Asian, and European UNEVOC centres.

Birgit Thomann opened the discussion with an ideas talk. In particular, she voiced her support for partnership-based co-innovation between African and German partners. She stressed that while the main focus of both the debate and of current research is on the viability and implementation of hydrogen projects on an industrial scale, it is equally important to focus on demand and on activities for ensuring qualifications in training and continuing education as well as among training personnel. BIBB is currently running a research project funded by BMBF in this area.

Deutsche Bahn AG, DB Training, Learning & Consulting

Deutsche Bahn AG, DB Training, Learning & Consulting offers training on subjects covering railway operations, infrastructure, drivers, vehicle engineering, and business skills. The institution also has a wide range of vocational training on offer as well as supported continuing vocational education training.

iMOVE Provider pool: DB Training  Consulting

DB Training, Learning & Consulting

Hessian State Office for Technology Training

The Hessian State Office for Technology Training (Hessische Landesstelle für Technologiefortbildung) provides relevant advanced training for teachers, IT specialists and educational staff at vocational schools.

Internationally, the State Office runs advanced training programmes for specialists and managers in the areas of electrical engineering, information and communications technology, renewable energies and environmental technology, and education management.

iMOVE Provider pool: Hessische Landesstelle für Technologiefortbildung

Hessische Landesstelle für Technologiefortbildung (German only)