iMOVE interview with Dr. Christof Riess, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), May, 2011.
iMOVE: What is the name and background of your organisation?
Dr. Riess: The Chamber of Skilled Crafts Rhein-Main acts as a service provider for over 30,000 German businesses in and around Frankfurt. These are primarily medium-sized businesses with approximately 11,000 apprentices. The Chamber generates annual sales of about 13 billion euros.
iMOVE: Which services in the field of vocational education and training do you offer?
Dr. Riess: The Chamber advises German companies on their activities abroad, on environmental issues and on vocational training. The Chamber also runs two vocational training and technology centres, where trainees from various companies can complete their training programmes.
iMOVE: What are your international business experiences?
Dr. Riess: The Chamber of Skilled Crafts Rhein-Main has been working with international partners for 25 years. Is has provided consulting services with respect to the design and layout of vocational training centres and train-the trainer- programmes in many European countries, as well as in Morocco, Ethiopia, Vietnam and Laos. This, in turn, has resulted in new cooperations between German company members of the Chamber and international partners.
iMOVE: Which key service do you have on offer for a successful cooperation with international partners?
Dr. Riess: The core task of the Chambers of Skilled Crafts in Germany is commercial and technical training. Thus, the Chamber is the ideal partner when it comes to renewing vocational education and training concepts and structures. The Indian government has developed short-term training programmes for young people from rural areas. Within the framework of an infrastructural plan for basic vocational competencies, qualifications should be awarded within 30 days in the following areas: basic welding, CNC operator, fitter, masonry, carpentry and bar bending. Employees of the German Chamber test and certify training concepts and the implementation thereof, in order to guarantee that procedures meet international standards. Teaching units are observed, the proportion of theoretical and practical training is measured, teaching materials and tools employed are monitored, as is trainer fitness.
