Independent, cosmopolitan and eloquent

Companies and trainees benefit from international internships.

Leonardo da Vinci is not only the name of an Italian renaissance genius. Leonardo da Vinci is also the name of aprogramme of the European Union to foster cooperation in the field of vocational education and training. Part of the programme is the project "Azubi Mobil" which helps trainees to gain work experience during an internship abroad.

19-year-old Fabian Pirzer undergoes vocational training in Germany to become a technician for electronic automation. He went to Derry in Northern Ireland for an internship of four weeks. "This helped me to act and work more independently and I find it much easier now to get in contact with people", Pirzer says.

His boss supported his plans because his company works with many international partners and attaches great importance to the language skills of all its employees, including the trainees.

"We are not suprised", she explains, "that Fabian Pirzer's Irish colleagues were very happy with his work and impressed by his practical competencies. In Germany we support an independent working style. Vocational training based on the dual training system in Germany is the best basis and absolutely necessary for this".