It’s a Friday morning and this day’s session of the “Ausbildung der Ausbilder–International” is in full swing. The scene is typical for hands-on training: Participants are huddled together in small groups,arranging notes on a board as they debate the best solution approach for a task.Overseeing and facilitating the exercise is trainer Philip Bauer, Senior Manager – VET at the IGCC. What’s different? The training room is a virtual one.
“We wanted to ensure that the participants have the opportunity to connect, engage and practice in a virtual environment to the same extent that they could in an offline setting”, says Mr. Bauer who has been implementing vocational training for the past 15 years.
“That’s important, because if you want to implement skills successfully, trainees need to have ample opportunity to apply their new learnings right away to situations that they will later face on the job – that’s what the German dual system of vocational training is all about. We are pleased to have created an online version of the AdA – International training that represents this dual learning approach so well.”
Need for trainer qualification
The “Ausbildung der Ausbilder – International” (AdA – International) is the flagship trainer qualification concept by the DIHK. Based on the German Trainer Aptitude Ordinance, it equips trainers and team leaders in charge of on-job training which the competencies required to coordinate and conduct successful skill training.
Thus, unlike most Train-the-Trainer programs, its focus is not on the technical domain of the trainer profile, it emphasises training methods and pedagogical approaches to training. This is especially important when implementing apprenticeship training: “Apprenticeships are not only about imparting occupational skills, but they also represent a personal development process for the youngsters undergoing the apprenticeship. This places a special responsibility on trainers. AdA – International prepares them for this role. It’s not without reason that being AdA certified is compulsory by law for every in-company trainer in Germany.” Mr. Bauer continues. However, various other reasons speak for the need for good trainer qualification.
The high pace of innovation in technological and structural change places increasing professional demands on the competencies that are to be acquired in vocational education and training and further developed throughout life. Accordingly, innovative solutions are needed, which can already be achieved in vocational education and training through good framework conditions, such as properly qualified training staff, who have the professional tools, as well as the joy of working in an action-oriented manner, also on innovative solutions and the willingness to promote continuous improvement processes in the companies.
Not only for trainers
While the AdA – International mainly caters to the skill requirements of professionals responsible for implementing training, it also caters to other training groups. Lokesh Kumar, Trainer at the Skoda Auto Volkswagen Academy in Pune, participated in the AdA – International (Full version) in 2016: “When I enrolled in the course, my main objective was to develop on the professional front. But it also helped me develop on a personal level as well. Professionally, it gave me a better understanding of the dual vocational training system and effectively implementing training. I also learned how to develop training modules from scratch by deriving needed skills from the job profile in a very structured and learning objectiveoriented way. And then, of course, there the training methodology: Which training techniques should be selected in which scenario. On the personal front, it helped me a lot in giving and receiving feedback, as well as making better decisions by becoming aware of my unconscious biases. For this reason, I feel that the program has a very wide scope. While the Full version of AdA is highly recommended for people in designing training courses, those in the training profession or who are leaders should at least do the Basic version.”
Increasing training accessibility
Despite these advantages of the qualification, attending an AdA course used to be a commitment of employers: Earlier, participants from all over India would have to travel to attend the 40–80-hour program (depending on Basic or Full Version). The new online format reduces the time and costs constraint on companies who wish to send their staff for the training through a series of half-day modules conducted over multiple weeks, including Saturdays. And it has another effect; it removes borders.
Thus, the latest AdA Online course conducted in November 2020 was conducted in cooperation with the German- Malaysian Chamber of Commerce. Course participant Pradnya Thakur comments: “Attending the course with the participants from Malaysia was a great experience because they brought in a different perspective. This interculturality really promoted the exchange of ideas.” Christine Raj from StrengthMiner Consulting adds, “It was great networking! I’m still in touch with some of them, so that was a very good experience.”
To further increase convenience for AdA participants, the IGCC is developing a blended model for AdA – International (Basic Version) with the AHK Argentina and AHK Mexico.
The program, which will be launched over the GIZ training platform Atingi. It will provide candidates with the opportunity to complete the learning through live webinars with self-learning content in the form of videos, further reading and interactive content.
The new blended course is planned to be offered from May 2021. Additional online dual training courses are in the pipeline.
To learn more about upcoming AdA – International courses, visit indien.ahk.de/ events or contact Team DUALpro – Experts for Vocational Education and Training (an IGCC service brand):
dualpro@indo-german.com | 020 / 410147 -114/-118/-108