Could the German business model work in Ilembe?
In Germany, young people can learn one of many apprenticeship occupations such as plumber, doctor's assistant, boiler maker or oven builder through the country's dual vocational programme.
An Ilembe delegation consisting of representatives from the department of higher education and training, Umfolozi College and organised businesses recently traveled to Germany and discovered the country’s renowned dual vocational education and training model (Duales Ausbildungs system) was the ideal model to follow for areas dominated by smaller enterprises.
The team was invited by the Kreishandwerkerschaft, who also paid for the tour. Ilembe Chamber CEO, Cobus Oelofse, who was part of the delegation, was very impressed with the Kreishandwekerschaft’s initiative to share their knowledge and expertise with the world.
In a dual education system, apprenticeships and studies are combined into one programme. In Germany, young people can learn one of many apprenticeship occupations such as plumber, doctor’s assistant, boiler maker or oven builder through the country’s dual vocational programme.
“As many as 95 per cent of businesses within the German economy are considered small to medium enterprises, mostly family-owned trade-related businesses that have adapted and survived from generation to generation,” said Oelofse.
He said the majority of these smaller businesses were active in the training and development of trade apprentices.
“They play an active role in the organised business community to market the allure of an artisan trade as a career, and identifying and nurturing talent at school level already through intern placements,” said Oelofse.
The South African delegation was hosted by the Kreishandwerkerschaft, a trade and business association for the districts of Steinfurt and Warendorf and the initiative formed part of the association’s and the German government’s Export of Education initiative.
Oelofse said although it would be difficult to cut and paste the model here, there were significant learning opportunities for the educational and economic landscape in Ilembe.
“The challenge for our business community and a potential role for the Ilembe Chamber is how to ensure that small to medium enterprises get involved in the training of artisans.”
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