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KGCCI Holds First Ausbildung Graduation Ceremony

  • Monday, May 23, 2022, 11:19 am
  • ACROFAN=Jae-Yong Ryu
  • jaeyong.ryu@acrofan.com
 
The Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI, President & CEO Martin Henkelmann) together with BMW Group Korea and Mercedes-Benz Korea successfully held the first “Ausbildung Graduation Ceremony” on 20 May.

Ausbildung is Germany’s dual vocational training program, implemented in Korea with the intention to enable young Koreans to start a sustainable career. The program was first introduced in September 2017 through continuous efforts of BMW Group Korea, Mercedes-Benz Korea, and KGCCI. It specifically focuses on the automobile maintenance course called ‘Auto-Mechatroniker’. Auto Mechatroniker is a 3-year educational curriculum consisted of 70% practical training on actual fields and 30% academic education at partner colleges.

The first Ausbildung Graduation Ceremony, held at Millennium Hilton, Seoul, celebrated the achievements of the 54 first generation trainees, their 35 trainers, partnered colleges professors, and their employers.

The event started with congratulatory remarks by German Ambassador to Korea Michael Reiffenstuel, BMW Group Korea Vice President Bernhard Teriet, Mercedes-Benz Korea President & CEO Thomas Klein, and KGCCI President & CEO Martin Henkelmann. This was followed by the certificate handover ceremony to all the successful trainees. A photo session also took place with Ausbildung graduates throwing their graduation caps into the air to celebrate the end of their 5-year journey.

Since entering the program in 2017, first generation trainees signed a work contract with authorized dealerships of participating German automotive companies, which entailed the provision of a stable salary, a high-quality working environment, and a training course composed by the collaboration between trainers and college professors.

As such, graduating trainees received a total of 3 certificates: Certification from the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), certification from respective automotive brands, and associate degrees from partner colleges.

German Ambassador to Korea Michael Reiffenstuel expressed his congratulations by saying the outcome was only possible with participation from brands and dealerships, trainers and trainees, as well as KGCCI. Also, new challenges and more responsibility await the Ausbildung graduates as they step into the next phase of their lives.

BMW Group Korea Vice President Bernhard Teriet said “The passion and commitment that trainees have shown during the past 5 years have gravitated all the Ausbildung members,” adding that “BMW Group Korea will also continue its dedication to Ausbildung program, contributing to sustainable education opportunities to more students so that they could dream a better future.”

“As a win-win partner with Korean society, it is meaningful that we have been nurturing outstanding automobile technicians since 2017, the first year Ausbildung was introduced in Korea,” said Thomas Klein, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Korea. He added, “Mercedes-Benz Korea will actively support trainees to settle in the society and become skillful talents who develop the service quality of the Korean automobile industry.”

KGCCI President & CEO Martin Henkelmann, remarked, “When we started the Ausbildung Program five years ago, we hoped that it would succeed. Today we see, that Ausbildung with high standards is a great success, thanks to the strong commitment of the companies, the trainees, the colleges and KGCCI.”

KGCCI Vice President Susanne Woehrle said, “Ausbildung is a study and work program designed for young professionals who are at the beginning stages of their business life. After completing the 3-year program, they will have established a solid basis to further develop their careers with an excellent perspective for the future.”