The Upper Franconia Chamber of Commerce and Industry recognises 68 of its examiners who have been performing their role for 10 years. Three experts from the district of Kronach are also present.
With approximately 10,000 examination candidates each year, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Upper Franconia must meet their obligation to ensure the continued existence of vocational training and continuing education. According to Wolfram Brehm, Deputy General Manager of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, approximately 2600 voluntary examiners work to achieve this with huge commitment in the Chamber's district of Upper Franconia.
These 68 men and women, who have been involved for 10 years in the examination system of vocational education and training, were recognised in the Bavarian Museum of Brewing and Baking in Kulmbach.
Brehm emphasised that, in this period of digital change, there has been a huge increase in the demands placed on a modern examination system and on innovative learning structures. He explained that the demand on the Chamber of Commerce and Industry to involve qualified personnel is greater than ever before. "Numerous reform initiatives have meant that our area of vocational training and continuing education in particular has been characterized by major changes in the area of education and training policy making. Today, the number of occupations in which one-off training is seen as sufficient for employment over many years is extremely small," explained the Deputy General Manager of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "Virtually every occupational field now requires that each of us is involved in continuing vocational education and training on an ongoing basis. It is therefore essential to stay motivated and to constantly challenge ourselves, regardless of our own age or area of work."
He added that excellent training and outstanding levels of quality achieved in everyday work within companies begins with one's own continuing education and training and qualification. In this respect, Brehm called upon the examiners to adopt new working techniques, technologies and the latest knowledge management. He explained that examination papers also had to satisfy the demands of a complex world of work. Standardised questions examining knowledge are in no way near sufficient for holistically reflecting vocational competencies. "Large numbers of professional experts direct from practice are needed in order to clearly determine the competencies acquired," emphasized Brehm. "You all represent these professionals from the specialist areas in the examinations themselves. Your thorough and detailed testing provides the labour market with valid and reliable information concerning the vocational qualifications of the participants. This means you are taking on a high level of responsibility and are being proactive in helping to shape the development of future skilled workers."
In their role, the examiners are "the bearers of our very personal message that vocational training and continuing education is really worthwhile," explained the Deputy General Manager of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "Besides our duty as the Chamber of Commerce and Industry to communicate the interests of our companies at policy-making level, we also have the specific remit of securing vocational education and training. We would not be able to effectively manage this commitment if the examiners here today did not exist. Vocational education and training depends on your commitment. And you invest the most valuable thing an individual has to give — their personal time."