Context:
The government of PR China is striving to reform its Education and Training System, to improve employability of its citizens on a national and global level. The city of Zigong pilots the implementation of the German Technical and Vocational System. Through tailoring the German model to the local conditions, the quality of education and vocational training shall be improved. Students, regional companies, and thereby the regional economy, shall benefit from the changes implemented.
Objective:
The improved vocational programme will first be introduced into one pilot sector: car-mechanics, mechatronics and building technology (energy saving). By the end of the three-year implementation period, four pilot schools shall be able to offer training according to the curriculum and the quality standards determined by the programme. Furthermore, the pilot schools shall implement a continuous improvement mechanism, enabling them to constantly adapt to the needs of the companies for which its students are trained.
Approach:
The curriculum as well as school organisation processes and procedures have to be redesigned and regulated. Despite the concept of field-based training approaches not being completely new to China, their implementation demands a new approach to teaching and being taught. Therefore, an integrated approach to the restructuring process has to be applied. The curriculum, methods of teaching and the corresponding practical experience within companies are carefully developed. The learning materials which will support the new approach to vocational training will be jointly prepared by GIZ and the teachers of four pilot schools.
The methods of learning will need to be redefined. Instead of a teacher merely giving lectures, a problem-based approach will be introduced. Classes will consist of problem statements, describing difficult situations which might occur in everyday professional life. The students will be qualified to develop solutions to these problems by themselves. This way, students shall learn to analyse situations and individually tailor solutions to a variety of challenges.
Furthermore, aside from the technical side of teaching, the companies have to be incorporated into the reform process. To achieve this goal the programme introduces the company’s responsibility to adjust to its role as ‘learning consultants’. Thereby students gradually gain practical experience, systematically preparing them for their final examination and future professional life.
Despite the pilot programme being designed for the educational training of future car mechanics, mechatronic technicians and building technology (energy saving) specialists, its approach is applicable to multiple employment fields. Furthermore, the schools and companies are enabled to constantly improve the programme according to their individual and changing needs.
GIZ coordinates assists and designs the activities in cooperation with the pilot schools in Zigong. Making the most of its network, local resources from GIZ’s office in Beijing and specialist units and networks in Germany are mobilised to ensure high quality results.