Measures within the scope of the bilateral vocational education and training cooperation agreement with Italy

The German Office for International Cooperation in Vocational Education and Training conducted various activities in December 2013 as part of the bilateral cooperation agreement between the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and Italy. It joined forces with Esslingen University of Cooperative Education to organise a study visit to Baden Württemberg for an Italian group of experts. The participants, who came from the specialist areas of "mechatronics" and "robotechnology", included vocational school directors and employer and company representatives, are members of the "ReteRobotika" network formed in Turin in North Italy. They are planning the initial implementation of dualised training structures in five regions in North-Eastern Italy. Participants obtained information on the organisation, execution and mechanisms of the dual VET system in Stuttgart and Esslingen. Every facet of the dual system was highlighted during the study visit. Beginning at policy level with a visit to the Baden Württemberg Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Young People and Sport, the Italian guests went on to learn about practical implementation by the chamber organisations, vocational schools and companies.
The final feedback provided indicated that the Italian visitors were very satisfied with the new insights they had gained. Further study visits are planned for 2014.

Training of Italian VET staff

One further focus in bilateral cooperation with Italy is on the training of vocational education and training staff, who need to be put in a position to provide young people with employment-oriented and practically related training. The German Office for International Cooperation in Vocational Education and Training conducted a one-week training course for this purpose, held at the Vocational Training Centre of the Hellweg-Lippe District Craft Trades Association in Soest. The course was attended by specialist Italian teachers from the fields of IT/electronics, the hotel and restaurant trade/tourism, mechanics and commercial training.

Participants were split into small groups and received training in the planning of practical placements, the structuring of instruction tasks and the preparation of examinations. One main focus was on strengthening interaction between teachers and learners. There were also visits to companies providing training and to vocational schools in order to supplement the course, which was of just under one week's duration, and to illustrate how contents imparted are implemented in Germany. A workshop in Italy to be staged by the Italian-German Chamber of Commerce in Milan is planned as a follow-up measure to the training received by the Italian vocational education and training staff. The aim will be to develop a concept for the implementation of a training standard.