New German-French vocational college programme

In August, the Saarland Ministers for Education, Ulrich Commerçon, and Economic Affairs, Anke Rehlinger, opened the German-French vocational college programme in the automotive field at the vocational college in Sankt Ingbert, which will be launched in the coming training year in co-operation with the Lorrain partnering school Lycée Professionnel Régional André Citroën in Marly.

Education Minister Commerçon emphasised: "By establishing the German-French vocational college programme, we reinforce the dual vocational education and training system in the Saarland and take yet another step in our journey of promoting the technical language skills, mobility and occupational prospects of youths in the border region between the Saarland and Lorraine."

He added that in the context of the France Strategy it is the federal state government's objective to provide young people with equal future prospects in both partnering regions.

"The new programme provides youths in the Saarland with direct insights into the French world of work. They get to know French workshop equipment, standards and regulations. In return, French youths can complete practical experience periods here in the Saarland and at a later stage potentially find successful employment in our companies and businesses", said Commerçon.

Economic Affairs Minister Anke Rehlinger perceives the new programme as a "win-win situation" for the converging industry and vocational training markets:

"Our markets are already well consolidated: we Saarland citizens often drive into France to get good wine, whilst our neighbours like to come to us on weekends for a stroll around town. This, therefore, is exactly why it is important that we continue to grow together and network also on other levels."

With regards to the threat of the skilled labour shortage it makes sense and is important to establish a cross-border vocational education and training market:

"The German-French vocational college programme in the automotive field is a first step in that direction. It results in a win-win situation for both our countries and our apprentices: after all, not only apprentices profit from young, motivated youths completing a cross-border apprenticeship, but also our markets and their customers. That way, we also mutually strengthen our economies", said the minister.

A special German-French class for automotive mechatronics fitters will be established at the vocational college in Sankt Ingbert. In this country class, French including subject-specific lessons will be taught three hours per en bloc school week.

The vocational lessons in the German language remain the same regarding the number of hours taught. Also the total number of class hours remains the same.

Exchange programmes at French workshops will be planned to take place mainly during the en bloc school weeks. Previous knowledge of the French language is not necessary. The apprentices will be supported individually corresponding to their respective command of the language.

In parallel, a Section d'enseignement professionnel franco-allemande des metiers de la Maintenance des Véhicules Automobiles will be established at the Lycée Professionnel in Marly. The proximity of both schools enables a very close and sustained co-operation.

The plan is to expand this by co-operation between businesses in the course of the further development of this German-French vocational education and training partnership.

In addition to promoting the partner language of French and intercultural understanding, the project establishes co-operation in the field of vocational education and training.

These three objectives will be implemented by way of lessons in the neighbouring country's language, by day visits, cultural exchange and two occupational subject-specific exchanges in vocational training businesses. These technical exchanges each are combined with visits in return, which doubles the amount of time spent in subject-specific contact.

The French lessons, which from the start will be based on occupational learning scenarios, and the day visits will create the basis for becoming more deeply acquainted with the French world of work. The cultural exchange aims at sensitising the young people regarding the French culture and promoting mutual understanding. The cultural exchange will be organised and funded by the Franco-German Youth Office.

Based on this cultural exchange and prepared by the occupation-specific German and French technical lessons, the youths will get to know the neighbouring country's world of work in two occupational subject-specific exchanges directly at the source in businesses.

There, depending on their skills, they will be firmly integrated into operating procedures, just as the French youths will be integrated into operating procedures at German companies.

These subject-specific exchanges will be organised and funded by the Franco-German Secretariat for Exchanges in the Field of Vocational Education and Training (DFS).