Palfinger and WIFI International are setting standards. For the first time, apprentices in China are taking their final exams according to the Austrian model - digitally and live.

A double premiere: For the first time, between October 27 and 30, 2020, ten apprentices competed in Rudong / China for the final examination according to the Austrian model. The examination board in Austria was there live.

"Special circumstances just require special measures - and special and strong partners," PALFINGER CEO Andreas Klauser is pleased to say. "PALFINGER and WIFI International share a clear commitment to investing in training and our common future talents. Digitalization, internationalization and innovation are essential factors for this to succeed." In times of Covid-19, it is therefore necessary to exploit digitalization expertise. WIFI International and Palfinger have therefore set up the first digital final examination of apprentices.

Palfinger WIFI International

Apprenticeship based on the Austrian model

Austrian companies are not only dependent on skilled workers in this country. In subsidiaries abroad it is much more difficult to find sufficiently qualified employees due to different or hardly existing practical vocational training. WIFI International therefore accompanies Austrian companies across borders with educational know-how. For eight years now, apprenticeships based on the Austrian model have been part of this, among others in Mexico, but also in China.

Export good education (and training)

"With the system of exporting the dual training system established via the WIFI and the associated equivalence with an Austrian apprenticeship certificate, we have created an important qualification tool for Austrian companies abroad. This enables domestic companies to offer their apprentices abroad an apprenticeship certificate based on the Austrian model. This makes the dual training system known and more attractive in countries where this practice-oriented system is still completely new and offers companies a tailor-made qualification for their skilled workers," says Mariana Kühnel, Deputy Secretary General of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber.

Pilot project in Rudong

"Together with our Chinese joint venture partner SPV, we have initiated a dual training concept in 2016 in accordance with Austrian quality standards. An offer that is unique in the region," explains Bernhard Eicher, head of apprentice training at Palfinger. In Rudong, around 30 apprentices will be trained as welding technicians in accordance with Austrian quality standards - including the final examination before a local examination commission staffed by WIFI International and Palfinger.

Corona makes it possible

In order to take the exams of the first ten apprentices this year despite all Covid-19 restrictions, WIFI International and Palfinger together found a solution that has never been done before: The digital final examination for welding technology.

Getting close with the Smart-Eye

The examination committee met at Palfinger's headquarters in Salzburg/Bergheim. Based on secure and stable data lines, the practical parts of the examination (production of three workpieces) were monitored online from there. An essential success factor from a technological point of view was the use of the Palfinger Smart-Eye, which, in addition to other permanently installed and mobile cameras, enabled the examiners to gain a live impression and direct communication with the examinees on site. This meant that the WIFI examination commission could view the process at any time from the company headquarters. The technical discussions (oral examination) were also conducted via an online conference system.

Using networks

On behalf of WIFI International, two persons of trust supervised all steps of the final examination of the apprentices in Rudong: an employee of the Foreign Trade Center Shanghai of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO), who interpreted the technical discussions due to his know-how in this field acquired in the last years, and a Chinese welding expert trained by WIFI International in Austria and China and certified according to international standards. "WIFI International's many years of activity in China with various, very often institutional partners and the personal network that has been built up as a result is now paying off several times over for the benefit of one of Austria's leading industrial companies - a win-win situation for both countries," says a delighted Anton Aufner, Head of WIFI International.

Successfully completed

On October 30, Andreas Klauser, the head of apprentice training at Palfinger, Bernhard Eicher and the head of personnel development at Palfinger, Mario Ceschin-Putz, as well as the representatives of WIFI International Anton Aufner, Herbert Stemper and Ernst Buchinger digital from Salzburg presented the ten apprentices in Rudong with their final certificates. Five of the ten apprentices achieved a good result at this premiere, one apprentice even an excellent result.

Cooperation

"It is already ambitious to export the renowned training concept of dual apprenticeship training according to Austrian quality standards. To successfully conduct the final examination of the first cohort in this digital/hybrid form for the first time in the midst of the current circumstances surrounding COVID-19 is a remarkable milestone. With WIFI International as a strong partner, we have taken a significant step towards demonstrating what is possible with courage and competence together, even in more challenging times. Together, we continue to shape the future of tomorrow," says a delighted PALFINGER CEO Andreas Klauser.