About a million euro is allocated each year to successful participants of master craftsman courses and advanced training in the crafts by way of the master craftsman bonus. This is why the chamber of crafts perceives the bonus as a success.
Previously, by far the greater part of the working population was trained within the dual system and its focus on practical application. Now, half of all school graduates continue with an academic education focusing on theory. The industry in the Federal State of Hesse therefore demands adaptation of the education system to the current requirements after having remained the same for decades.
Turning and milling apprentices from all across Germany competed in the "WorldSkills Germany" professional skills competition in late September. This year, the event was hosted at AMB, the international exhibition for metalworking. The two winners, Tim Zelmer from Gildemeister and Patrick Aiple from Chiron, will represent Germany at the WorldSkills global competition in São Paulo in 2015.
More and more companies have recognised the benefits of an international workforce and provide training for young apprentices from southern Europe. That way, businesses offer young people from countries with high youth unemployment rates sustainable employment opportunities. The Center for European Trainees was established by the Training Institute of the Baden-Württemberg industry to support these businesses in a targeted manner.
The Israeli Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labour (MOITAL) and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) have been co-operating in the field of vocational education and training for 45 years. In addition to the exchange of experts, research projects and political talks, the young generation now increasingly becomes the focus of attention in this partnership.
Germany and Chile intend to expand their co-operation in the raw material and energy sector as well as in the field of vocational education and training.
The Day of the Crafts was held for the fourth time on 20 September 2014. The motto "Pack mit an" (Pitch in) focused on the job opportunities available in the crafts. Sigmar Gabriel, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, used the occasion to encourage young people to pursue the excellent job opportunities in the crafts.
The Know How! AG opened its first foreign office in September 2014, located in the Chaoyang District in Beijing. The Chinese office employs a team of three. The aim of establishing Know How! Software Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd is to offer the company's established quality of e-learning on the Chinese market.
Each year, almost a third of all students leave university without a degree. The federal government and the crafts now want to sponsor pilot projects to facilitate access to vocational education and training for university drop-outs.