German Chamber of Commerce in Korea Holds 4th Ausbildung Graduation Ceremony in Collaboration with German Companies

Completion of 36-Month Dual Program Combining Practical Training and Academics
Participation by Mercedes-Benz, MAN Truck & Bus, Volkswagen, Audi, and BMW
"A Bridge Connecting Tradition and Innovation, Korea and Germany"

Graduates are throwing their caps at the '2025 Ausbildung Graduation Ceremony' held on the 24th by the German Chamber of Commerce in Korea together with Mercedes-Benz Korea, MAN Truck & Bus Korea, Volkswagen Group Korea, and BMW Group Korea. Photo by German Chamber of Commerce in Korea

The German Chamber of Commerce in Korea announced on April 25 that it held the '2025 Ausbildung Graduation Ceremony' together with leading German companies at the Grand Hyatt Seoul on April 24.

Ausbildung is a dual vocational education program from Germany that is operated in Korea by the German Chamber of Commerce in Korea. Participants complete a total 36-month course that combines on-the-job training at companies (70%) and theoretical education at universities (30%). Upon completion, they receive an associate degree and an educational certificate awarded by the German Chamber of Commerce. Major German automotive companies such as Mercedes-Benz Korea, MAN Truck & Bus Korea, Volkswagen Group Korea, and BMW Group Korea participate in the program to discover new talent. At this graduation ceremony, 58 students received their certificates.

Georg Schmidt, the German Ambassador to Korea, stated in his congratulatory speech at the ceremony, "Ausbildung is more than just a vocational training program; it is a bridge connecting tradition and innovation, Germany and Korea, and future talent with industry leaders." He added, "These graduates, equipped with core skills in various fields including the future mobility industry, will become the driving force behind industrial and economic development in a rapidly changing technological environment." Kim Youngjin, Deputy Director in charge of the Ausbildung program, emphasized, "Ausbildung students are a source of pride for all of us, and their future is also the future of Korean industry."

Meanwhile, the German Chamber of Commerce in Korea introduced Ausbildung to Korea in 2017 in cooperation with German automotive companies Mercedes-Benz Korea and BMW Group Korea. Daimler Truck Korea and MAN Truck & Bus Korea joined the program in 2018, followed by Volkswagen Group Korea in 2019 and Porsche Korea in 2021. Five Korean technical colleges are also participating. Training is conducted in general automotive maintenance, panel beating, painting, and service advisor fields at more than 150 service centers. Including this year's graduates, the program has produced a cumulative total of 270 graduates. Currently, about 320 trainers and 360 trainees are participating in the program.