Through a pilot project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Labour as well as the federal states of Bremen and Lower Saxony, the German Steel Employers’ Association (Arbeitgeberverband Stahl e. V.), IG Metall, and major steel companies — including ArcelorMittal Bremen, Salzgitter AG, Thyssenkrupp Steel, Georgsmarienhütte Holding, and Stahl-Holding Saar — are jointly developing, together with the Institute for Research, Training and Projects (iftp) and the Institute Technology and Education (ITB), a continuing education system designed for nationwide compatibility.
The new system will create attractive career pathways for professionally qualified employees through three consecutive levels of advanced training:
- Level 1: Certified Vocational Specialist in the fields of steel production, further processing/refinement, as well as maintenance specializations in metal and electrical engineering.
- Level 2: Qualifications positioned at bachelor’s degree level, with two possible career pathways – a management track and a specialist track.
- Level 2a: Bachelor Professional Certified Industrial Foreman; in future designed as a unified master craftsman profile, modularized into four technical areas.
- Level 2b: Bachelor Professional Technical Expert for Production Processes.
- Level 3: Planned qualifications as Master Professional Technical Process Manager and Technical Product Manager.
Currently, the project team and in-company experts are jointly developing the content and regulations for the training programs. The goal is to establish nationally recognized advanced training examinations conducted by the Chambers of Industry and Commerce.
Another key component is a digital teaching and learning concept, which is being developed under the leadership of the ITB in cooperation with the iftp and the participating companies. In the future, it is intended to provide steel industry employees with a nationwide learning platform to prepare for the advanced training examinations.
The project is supported by an advisory board, which met on June 29. The board brings together representatives of the social partners, steel companies, the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB), the Federal Employment Agency, the Chambers of Industry and Commerce, as well as funding representatives from the federal and state governments.