German American Vocational Career Program Launched

SAN DIEGO and LOS ANGELES, Dec. 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The German American San Diego Foundation started the countdown for a new career program that could mark the beginning of a new era of vocational training in California and beyond.

The German American Vocational Career Program will introduce an alternative to mostly classroom-based systems of vocational education by adding an intensive practical and systematic work experience of no less than 50% of the entire period of apprenticeship.

"Germany's first-class vocational education and training system, called the Dual System of vocational training, is a major reason for Germany's economic success. By using existing structures in the U.S. and cooperating closely with businesses, manufacturers, workforce development organizations and community colleges, we will incorporate best practices of the Dual System into this groundbreaking new Vocational Career Program, tailored to regional job markets," says Stephan Hollmann, Germany's Honorary Consul in San Diego.

Supported by the German Federal Government and German companies like Bosch and Zeiss, the Vocational Career Program offers an attractive career path to high-paying jobs through classroom instruction, paid on-the-job training and rigorous exams that measure skill and competency.

The pilot program, scheduled to start enrolling students in August 2016, will focus on the automotive service industry, offering modularized training and education for certification as an Automotive Mechatronics Technician by German and American standards.

"Our mechatronics pilot program will be a close collaboration between community colleges, automotive dealerships and repairs operations to ensure that the trainees are being taught exactly what the job market needs. Through the unique combination of theory and practice, learning and working, the program will provide sound qualifications and offer highly attractive and recognized career paths after high school," explains Program Manager Matt Martinez.

Hollmann adds: "As automobiles evolve quickly to become 'computers on wheels', our program provides an effective means of filling this new technology skills gap by preparing a next generation of service technicians with the competencies that will move them from entry-level through mastery."

More information: www.GermanAmericanCareer.org

SOURCE German American Vocational Career Program

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http://www.GermanAmericanCareer.org