Page 58 - ELITE PLUS MAGAZINE VOL4

DIPLOMATIC AFFAIRSsity of Technology North Bangkok. On the agenda that I’ve been working on for the past two years has been a focus on vocational education. Germany has very strong, successful examples of vocational education and this has become the backbone of Germany’s strong economy. A lot of countries now, including China, Brazil and the US as well as neighbours such as Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, seek expertise from Germany on how to develop strong vocational education.How does German vocational education work?In Germany they call it a dual system, meaning a study of “theory” and “practice”. After the sixth grade, students who have high marks will be automatically steered towards “Gymnasium” (academic learning). Students who do not have good marks will be steered for example to “Real- schule”, a more practice-oriented form of education. After finishing 10th grade, they can apply for a job where they will learn a profession. The announcement of job openings is done all over the country by the Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Every year an average of 300,000 positions open for young people in Germany. The56 Elite+companies pay for the further studies of those who are accepted. The students work three days a week and study in vocational schools (“Berufs- schule”) on the other two or three days. They also earn a salary. German companies find it very beneficial because the students that graduate after two or three years become a perfect match, and the companies don’t have to pay to train new employees. In addition, a lot of the students develop loyalty to their companies. Executives in many companies have gone through the dual system.How would this system benefit Thai businesses?This could be a big support for the Thai economy, particularly if we’re moving towards innovation and advanced technology in industry. Thailand has several hundred vocational schools and colleges. We just need to improve the quality of education and promote training. German businesses are also looking to invest in Thailand and ASEAN, given that they expect the Asian economy to continue to grow. One concern for them is the availability of professional, skilled technicians. Ifwe don’t have that, they may invest elsewhere. The embassy has been working with agencies in Thailand and Germany to promote work-based learning in Thailand. In the past two years there have been an increasing number of partnerships between German businesses and Thai voca- tional colleges. The German Embassy here and the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce in Bangkok are very supportive. We also work with the Ministry of Education, particularly with the Office of the Vocational Education Commission (OVEC), to bring in know-how from Germany and improve high-level vocational education.How popular is Thailand in Germany as a leisure destination? How can we improve on that?We have long been known as a friendly country and this reputation remains. Many Germans who travelled to Thailand want to go back. When I meet Germans, eight out of 10 tell me they’ve been to Thailand or are planning to go. They love Thai food, which is well known in Germany. Hundreds of Thai restaurants do good business. I asked some Germans why they didn’t go elsewhere, and they said they wanted to visit Thai friends they’d made on vacation. When farang are around Thais, Thais are nice to them,‘Many Germans who travelled to Thailand want to go back.When I meet Germans, eight out of 10 tellme they’ve been to Thailand or areplanning to go. They love Thai food, which is well known in Germany’