Supporting the development of Chinese vocational education
On September 27, 2018, TÜV Rheinland Academy formally released its “Welcoming Industry 4.0 White Paper on the Development of Chinese Vocational Education” (hereafter referred to as the “White Paper”) at the International Summit and Exhibition for Vocational Education held in Guangzhou. Ms. Sherin Lin, Vice President of Academy & Life Care, TÜV Rheinland Greater China, and Carlo Humberg, Expert on the German dual vocational education system from TÜV Rheinland Academy, jointly revealed key parts of the White Paper at the event while also setting out the challenges, opportunities and developments for Chinese vocational education. TÜV Rheinland Academy worked with its equipment partners to introduce advanced vocational education implementations such as VR, Microsoft HoloLens and MR at the exhibition. Visitors were provided with a novel experience on integrated consulting solutions for dual vocational education in China.
White paper on dual vocational education in China
Lin said: “Chinese vocational education is now at a crossroads in development. The rise of Industry 4.0 means the upgrading of the manufacturing industry and the popularization of high and new technologies such as artificial intelligence. Conventional manufacturing expertise is now faced with a new round of challenges in professional development and this means tremendous development potential for technical and vocational education in China. TÜV Rheinland Academy analyzed more than one hundred businesses and schools against this current backdrop. The results were used to compile the White Paper that will hopefully serve as a useful guide for vocational education in China. The White Paper can also provide the Chinese vocational education industry as well as the reform and development of vocational educational institutions with a reference for their decision-making and help promote the cultivation of professional talent in China. ”
The White Paper is divided into three chapters that analyze the following topics based on research findings: Current status of Chinese vocational education in the lead-up to Industry 4.0 age; New opportunities in Chinese vocational education in the Industry 4.0 age; and Development trends in Chinese vocational education. In Chapter 1, TÜV Rheinland explains the challenges facing Chinese vocational education including the mismatch between the standard of vocational education and industry development, shortage of new talent, and shortfall in new vocational educators. Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 dissects the new opportunities for vocational education in the Industry 4.0 age. Highlights include the strengths of the German dual education system and its direction of localization development, as well as an outline of school-business cooperation models, and inter-institution cooperation.
Download free white paper (Chinese):
“Welcoming Industry 4.0 White Paper on the Development of Chinese Vocational Education”
Pannel discussion on “Educational fusion using digital techniques”
Carlo Humberg, our Expert of the German dual vocational education system and the Senior Project Manager of TÜV Rheinland Academy, also took part in the pannel discussion on “Educational fusion using digital techniques” held at the same time. Humberg mentioned that even though the “Industry 4.0” concept is connected to continued increases in the level of automation in manufacturing techniques, it is the people that ultimately matters in “Industry 4.0.” That is why most of the recent discussions about “Industry 4.0” have revolved around the development of useful and essential skillsets in current and future employees. For vocational education in China, the main challenge posed by “Industry 4.0” is to the content of technical training courses. Upgrades must be made in response to technological developments and improvements made to organizational processes for a more team-oriented approach. A decision must then be made on what needs to be integrated.
The latest updates made by Germany to its national teaching materials for electrical and mechanical subjects now incorporate new skills with a particular emphasis on digitization. As the oldest and most famous training and education organization in Europe, TÜV Rheinland Academy inherits the spirit of German craftsmanship and has many years of experience with dual training. It strives to promote the exchange and fusion of advanced techniques and educational models from Germany and China in order to drive the development of Chinese industry and education.
Vocational training at TÜV Rheinland Academy China
TÜV Rheinland Academy has been operating in China for over three decades, bringing with its over 145 years of brand development and technical expertise as well some of the best talents in the industry. Efforts in recent years have focused on the development of a new approach to vocational education in China. Successful partnerships have been set up with a number of vocational schools including Guangzhou Light Industry Senior Technical School, Jiangmen City Technical School, Hainan College of Vocation and Technique, Shenzhen No.3 Vocational School of Technology, and The First vocational school of Tanggu Binhai new area Tianjin. The above partnerships combined the resources of TÜV Rheinland Academy and the vocational schools to provide a demonstration of the “dual system” in action. In the Sino-German Smart Manufacturing Academy for example the partners built an Industry 4.0 simulated factory that used the latest international technical resources and education system to provide an advanced demonstration of the “smart manufacturing” and “German dual” vocational education system in China. The cultivation of highly skilled talents for supporting the development of the smart manufacturing industry will help drive the transformation and upgrade of the entire industry chain.
In addition to strengthening school-business cooperation in Industry 4.0, TÜV Rheinland Academy is also working with vocational schools to set up training and examination centers. The training center will develop course resources based on international standards that will improve faculty standards and quality of teaching. The center will also carry out testing and accreditation of students based on their actual abilities. Recently completed projects include international training and certification of welding expertise with the Jiangmen Technical School, as well as the New Energy Vehicle Intelligent Automotive Training Center in partnership with Shanghai Boshi Motor Repair School.
“The transformation of Chinese vocational education is a matter of great urgency. TÜV Rheinland will lend its support through its own technical strengths and expertise.” concluded Lin.
