MOU Signed with Daejeon Human Resources Development Committee and Hyundai Vocational School
Joint Development of Practical Education and Specialized Training
German Vocational Program "Ausbildung" Expanded to Adults
The Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI) announced on July 28 that it will join forces with the Daejeon Regional Human Resources Development Committee and Hyundai Vocational School to foster industry-specific talent tailored to the needs of the workplace.
Kwon Yongdae, Secretary General of the Daejeon Regional Human Resources Development Committee, Mari Antonia von Schoenburg, Representative of the German Chamber of Commerce in Korea, and Yoo Seongsik, Chairman of Hyundai Vocational School, are taking a commemorative photo. Photo by German Chamber of Commerce in Korea
Previously, on July 25, the three organizations signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at the KGCCI conference room, agreeing to cooperate in nurturing outstanding talent equipped with practical skills.
The signing ceremony was attended by Marie Antonia von Schoeneburg, Representative of the KGCCI, Kwon Yongdae, Secretary General of the Daejeon Regional Human Resources Development Committee, and Yoo Seongsik, Chairman of Hyundai Vocational School. The three organizations have identified several key areas for cooperation, including the revitalization of practical, workplace-oriented education, the exchange of human and material resources for talent development, and the joint development of specialized training programs. They will work together to establish a practical, region-based industry-academia cooperation system.
In particular, they have decided to expand the target participants of the German-style dual vocational training program, "Ausbildung," which was previously limited to vocational high school students, to include adults. As a result, adults wishing to transition into technical fields such as automotive maintenance will now be able to participate in the Ausbildung program, and participation from a wider range of age groups is expected.
Ausbildung is a German dual vocational training program introduced to Korea by the KGCCI in collaboration with German automotive companies. Participants must complete a 36-month curriculum that includes 70% on-the-job training at companies and 30% academic instruction at universities, with specializations such as general maintenance, panel beating, painting, and service advising. Upon successful completion of the program, participants earn an associate degree and a training certificate issued by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and go on to work as core technical talent at each company.
The KGCCI plans to leverage its successful experience in implementing Ausbildung to contribute to the expansion of the nationwide foundation for technical talent development, including in the Daejeon region.
Von Schoeneburg stated, "Expanding the target group for Ausbildung to include adult learners is a meaningful step toward more inclusive and future-oriented talent development," and added, "Based on our successful experience in the automotive sector, the KGCCI looks forward to expanding Ausbildung as a new standard for sustainable vocational education that meets industry demand."
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