German investors seek to expand dual education system locally

With a heavy manufacturing presence in Romania, German companies are looking to promote the dual education system in a move designed to ensure a talent pool of skilled workers.

Werner Hans Lauk, the German Ambassador in Romania, says a pilot project is underway in Brasov, with support from German companies such as car parts maker Bosch.

“Companies are willing to expand it in Sebes, where there are more German firms, so that they can get these workers they can’t find anywhere else,” the ambassador told BR. This is the area where German carmaker Daimler will invest more than EUR 300 million to expand its transmission assembly facilities.

The ambassador explained that part of Germany’s economic might stems from its skilled personnel, educated in a dual system, meaning they combine practical training within a firm with theoretical courses in school. Local authorities and the German Chamber of Commerce are also involved in the project, which “can offer young people good perspectives and wages.”

According to the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), only 30 percent of German high school graduates go to university, due to the dual education system. In Romania, the figure stands at 80 percent.

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Managers surveyed by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry pointed to the lack of technical training in high schools and a shortage of qualified staff in Romania as factors that could hamper future investments in the country.

Only 10 percent of the respondents were satisfied with the employee training system in Romania, against the CEE average of 19 percent. The survey, which was carried out in 16 countries across CEE, further states that only 17 percent of managers are able to find qualified staff in Romania, while the CEE average stands at 23 percent.

Bringing in Asian experience

Lauk, 62, took the helm at the German Embassy in Bucharest this July, after several years at diplomatic missions in Asia. He experienced the Chinese growth in Beijing from 2004 to 2008 and moved to Romania after three years as head of mission of the German Consulate in Hong Kong.

“I come after spending a lot of time in Asia, and I must say the interest of German firms has grown. Romania is attractive, even in comparison with Asian states, and German firms also appreciate Romania from a logistical point of view as it is closer to Germany, plus it is an EU member,” said the ambassador.

Lauk said the government needs to investigate how investors can get access to the logistics sector, which is anything related to energy, infrastructure and roads.

He added that a top-notch legal framework is also necessary because investors come to Romania with long-term plans.

Ovidiu Posirca