Section two: International benchmarking

Country: Germany (WorldSkills Germany) 

What are they doing differently? 

Germany works on a dual system to which there are four parts:  

• three -four days a week ‘on the job training’ and one- two days in college doing theoretical work 

• training within the company is standardised, similar the ‘NOS’ National Occupational Standards 

• continuous updating of the training in response to technical advances and changing of business practices 

• collaboration between employers and trade unions. 

On the face of this model, the educational system looks very similar to some UK practice. However, due to the link with trade unions/employers and greater collaboration, there is more of an input from industry into the qualification framework and a focus on implementing changes quicker than in the UK. As an example, the UK qualification framework remained the same for over ten years. This meant that changes in technology/processes in industry were not covered within the qualification framework.

Collaboration between employers and trade unions is strong. When the content of a qualification or training course needs to be brought in line with changes in professional practice or technical progress, or if a new occupation is created, the initiative is normally taken by organisations linked to the employers. Once all the parties involved (especially the trade unions) have been heard, the relevant Minister (normally the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy) meets together with the ‘federal states’ (Länder), which are responsible for the vocational schools, to decide whether or not the initiative should be implemented. If the decision is positive, the training qualification is modernised, or a new qualification created. This takes place in collaboration with the experts from the employers’ side and the trade unions. This procedure ensures that developments in vocational qualifications meet the needs of business. 

Country: Germany 

Germany’s training team puts a strong emphasis on design work. They use the latest laser cutters to create and design stencils and design transfers and do a lot of this type of work naturally within the training school. By doing this, not only do they develop their technical skill but also interpersonal skills such as high attention to detail, dexterity, problem-solving, coping under pressure, and overcoming difficulties, all of which will help when dealing with situations that will naturally arise in competitions and working life. 

Germany has good technical trainers who are very knowledgeable of car painting and very knowledgeable of the WorldSkills competition and the marking script, including assessment and process.  

Like the UK, Germany invests heavily in pressure testing and international visits throughout the training cycle, which prepares their learners for the pressure of competition. 

Country: Chinese Taipei (WorldSkills Chinese Taipei) 

WorldSkills Lyon 2024 – Design module: 

• Time management 

• work organisation 

• execution. 

During this module, individuals are really stretched and challenged to complete the task on time. Chinese Taipei excelled in this module by methodically working through the task and moving on seamlessly at key points within the time frame allowed. 

Their execution at the end of the module was faultless. It’s a competition rule that if an individual has started to spray by the time the clock strikes zero, they can finish that face of the panel, and this was timed to perfection with seconds to spare but it was planned perfectly. This allowed the student to really focus on attention to detail of their design and in doing so completed the design work to a high standard. 

WorldSkills Lyon 2024 – Design module: 

• design work-accuracy 

• attention to detail, no paint creep, clean lines and corners, no over spray.   

The calibre of workmanship was second to none and was almost flawless. The accuracy of dimensions, the cleanliness of lines (transition between colours), no over spray or paint creep was present. Being able to master this in such a tight deadline is such an art that has no doubt been mastered through 100’s of hours training and practice.