Ningbo to introduce German vocational education model

Ningbo is set to introduce an advanced education model from Germany to develop its vocational education, with a memorandum of understanding between the city's education bureau and the AHK Shanghai signed at the 3rd International Open Forum for Vocational Education, which opened in the city on Nov 28. 

AHK Shanghai is the Shanghai Office of AHK Great China, part of the German Chambers of the Commerce Worldwide Network (AHK). 

According to the memorandum, a Sino-German Vocational Education Communication Center will be established in the city, with its members consisting of AHK Shanghai and the city's education bureau, companies and vocational schools. 

A key part of the cooperation will be to introduce the AHK vocational qualification certificate into the city, to help drive the recognition and localization of Germany's dual-system vocational education model in China. 

The education model, known as the secret weapon for the economic prosperity of Germany, requires that students be trained at both the school and the company, with company training as the main focus. 

"Under the model in Germany, 70 percent of students' learning hours are spent at companies," said Britta Buschfeld, vocational education director of AHK Great China, adding that companies are the source of students' innovation as they boast exposure to advanced equipment and knowledge that cannot be taught in class. 

The examination papers for obtaining the AHK certificate in Ningbo will be purchased from the German Examination Committee and translated into Chinese, with all the contents being completely the same, Buschfeld said. 

The opening ceremony of the forum also saw the launch of the Sino-German (Ningbo) AHK Vocational Education Training Center, which will conduct cooperation with Chinese and German vocational training institutions under the guidance of AHK Shanghai, and help the students who have obtained the AHK certificate via the center to work in German-funded companies. 

In addition, Ningbo Education Bureau and AHK Shanghai agreed at the forum to promote Sino-German vocational educational cooperation by conducting regular meetings, vocational education forums, teacher/student exchange visits and teacher training.