06/22/2013

Schuler supports vocational training in Mexico

Governor from Puebla, Rafael Moreno Valle, and German minister, Dirk Niebel, officially open new dual education and training center

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The first 30 apprentices began their courses last September.

Two years ago, Stefan Antel made the decision to set up a vocational education program in Mexico based on the German apprenticeship model. As General Manager of Schuler’s local subsidiary, he was desperately searching for skilled staff to provide technical support for the modern presses which the global market leader in metalforming supplies from Germany. Schuler has now officially opened the new vocational training center Cedual (Centro de Especialización Dual) in Puebla. 

This type of professional skills training is new to Mexico – a key reason for Rafael Moreno Valle, Governor of the Mexican state of Puebla, and Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Dirk Niebel to jointly open this flagship project. The minister was accompanied by a high-ranking German delegation, including the President of the Confederation of German Employers, Prof. Dieter Hundt, and the German ambassador Edmund Duckwitz.

Dual system as export hit

“Schuler not only exports presses to Mexico, but with Cedual also Germany’s dual education and training system, the envy of many countries around the world,” stated Schuler’s CEO Stefan Klebert at the opening ceremony. Apprenticeships play a key role in Schuler’s efforts to ensure a steady supply of young and highly skilled employees.

Antel believes it is just as important in Mexico: “Our machines are high-tech and require suitably qualified skilled staff. These are highly motivated employees, but they are also rare, because Mexico has no basic technical training system as in Germany. “The first 30 apprentices began their courses last September. The second intake of students will start soon. The new Schuler training center has enough space to train a total of 90 industrial mechanic and tool mechanic apprentices according to the German system.

The course is based on the curriculum for apprenticeships in industrial engineering professions. As in Germany, there are both theoretical and practical phases. “The center is equipped with drilling, turning, milling and grinding machines, as well as 30 work benches. The technical college element is also held on Schuler’s premises. German instructors teach the apprentices in an audio-visual lecture theater and three classrooms,” explains Antel. On completing their three-year course, the future skilled workers are awarded a certificate from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK). This is equivalent to the qualification received in Germany.

Schuler enlisted the support of one Spanish and five German companies for the project, who all train their staff at the facility. In addition to Allgaier the other companies are Gestamp, Luk, PWO, ThyssenKrupp Presta and ThyssenKrupp Materials. Antel also has been given firm assurance from the first Mexican company, the automotive supplier Metalsa, the Danish toy manufacturer Lego and two other companies.

The partner companies bear the costs for all training provided by Schuler. In addition, they pay their young trainees both a salary and benefits. Schuler itself is currently training six young Mexicans. The center is being sponsored by the German government.

With one eye on the future, Klebert concluded with these remarks: “We have only just started in Mexico. But our success so far proves that our approach is right and that the effort is worthwhile. We will now gather experience and perhaps open an additional training center elsewhere at some point.”

Schuler’s Mexican sales and service company was founded in 2005. The company employs around 160 people at its main base in Puebla and in the north-eastern town of Saltillo.