Skills Training for a Modern Manufacturing Workforce: Does the German Model Have Lessons for the US?

NEW YORK - June 11, 2014 - PRLog -- In recent decades, the United States has faced the challenge of training the types of workers — whether in skilled production and higher professions or in science and engineering research fields — needed to remain competitive in global markets. In this environment, the German dual system of training is increasingly seen as a major contributor to narrowing the skills gap.

On Tuesday, June 17, this conference will bring together leading experts from government and industry to explore ways in which individual companies, often German multinationals and regional consortia, are finding effective ways to adapt the dual system to the U.S. economic and social environment.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny S. Pritzker, who has long been a leader in the public and private sector in this field, will provide the keynote for this event. CEOs of leading German and American companies who have found successful ways to meet their needs using the dual system will also be featured. Each program segment will be followed by a moderated Q&A session. The final panel will offer policy prescriptions for the United States.

Thomas J. Duesterberg, Executive Director of the  Manufacturing and Society in the 21^st Century program at The Aspen Institute, and Peter Wittig, German Ambassador to the United States, will provide the welcome remarks. Thomas Zielke, President and CEO of the Representative of German Industry and Trade (RGIT), will introduce the panel sessions.

During Panel I “The Industry's Solution: Training Academy,” senior executives from leading German and American companies will discuss the conditions required to acquire skilled labor. They will also consider how policymakers can contribute by fostering a favorable business environment. Panel II: “Consortia Solution” will explore the different approaches taken by regions with German-owned companies and cooperating U.S. companies and educational authorities to develop a skills training program similar to the German system. During Panel III: “Roadmap for Sustainable Workforce Development,” business leaders will discuss what steps need to be taken to ensure success in the United States.

These panel sessions will feature presentations from the following companies and organizations: Siemens North America, E³ Engage Educate Employ, Stöber, VW Group of America, MTU America, German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern U.S., Inc., Kostal North America, Ameritech Die & Mold, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Festo Didactic, the German Center for Research and Innovation (GCRI), Bison Gear & Engineering Corporation, Apollo Education Group, Inc., Rockwell Automation, and Snap-On Incorporated.

Minister Peter Fischer, Head of Economic Affairs at the German Embassy, will provide the closing remarks.

This event will take place on Tuesday, June 17, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., at The Aspen Institute (One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20036-1133).

Unable to attend? To watch the live stream, tune in here (http://www.aspeninstitute.org/events/2014/06/04/summit-ge...) at 9:00 a.m. on June 17. For more information on the German Embassy’s “Skills Initiative,” please visit www.Germany.info/skillsinitiative.com.

This event is co-sponsored by the German Center for Research and Innovation (GCRI), The Aspen Institute Program on Manufacturing and Society in the 21st Century, The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, and The Representative of German Industry and Trade (RGIT).

The German Center for Research and Innovation (http://www.germaninnovation.org/) provides information and support for the realization of cooperative and collaborative projects between North America and Germany. With the goal of enhancing communication on the critical challenges of the 21st century, GCRI hosts a wide range of events from lectures and exhibitions to workshops and science dinners. Opened in February 2010, GCRI was created as a cornerstone of the German government’s initiative to internationalize science and research and is one of five centers worldwide.

The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, D.C. Its mission is to foster leadership based on enduring values and to provide a nonpartisan venue for dealing with critical issues. The Institute is based in Washington, D.C.; Aspen, Colorado; and on the Wye River on Maryland's Eastern Shore. It also has offices in New York City and an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org.

Media Contact:
Jennifer Audet
Audet@GermanInnovation.org
(212) 339 8680, ext. 302