UPDATE Q1/2025: GTDEE Insight

Handover of DIHK-AHK certificates to the BMW apprentices

On 2 October 2024, the handover of DIHKAHK certificates to the BMW Service Apprentice Programme batch 2022 took place at the FYI Center Bangkok. GTCC Executive Director Dr. Roland Wein delivered a congratulatory speech to the graduates and handed over the certificates of graduation to them. There were also remarks by Hans-Ulrich Südbeck, the Deputy Chief of Mission of the German Embassy Bangkok, and Manussanun Yooyativong, the BMW Qualification & Training Manager. Participants included GTDEE Senior Manager Dr. Kamonsak Suradom and Directors from partner colleges such as Chitralada Vocational School, Don Bosco Technological College, Banphai Vocational College, and Bangkaewfa Vocational College, who joined the ceremony.

Joining the VET Alliance Workshop organised by ibw Austria

On 18 October 2024, the GTDEE Senior Manager joined the Vocational Education and Training (VET) Alliance Workshop led by the Institut für Bildungsforschung der Wirtschaft (ibw Austria) at the Austrian Embassy Bangkok. The Austrian Ambassador, H.E. Wilhelm Donko, delivered opening remarks to the participants, including Alexander Leutgeb, the Economic and Climate Affairs Officer of the German Embassy Bangkok, as well as key representatives from the Austrian and Swiss Embassies, German companies Siemens Mobility and Robert Bosch, and other Austrian and Swiss companies in Thailand.

The event was supported by Go-International, a joint initiative of the Austrian Federal Ministry for Labour and Economy (BMAW), and the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ).

Online workshop for Robert Bosch Apprenticeship Programme

On 22 October 2024, GTDEE / GTCC organised an online workshop with a quality control concept, led by the GTDEE Senior Manager, and a workshop on how to evaluate the mechanical parts of mechatronics, led by Natthapol Panyaluang, an expert from the Thai-German Pre-Engineering School, KMUTNB. The participating apprentices were from the Robert Bosch Automotive Technologies Thailand Apprenticeship Programme batch 2023, and the dual vocational education and training event was carried out in cooperation with the ThaiAustrian Technical College in mechatronics programme.

Handover of examiners certificates

On 29 October 2024, at the GTCC office, the GTCC Executive Director handed over certificates of recognition to independent examiners and experts who have been appointed as examiners for GTDEE based on the area of their expertise. At the ceremony, the GTDEE Senior Manager presented to them procedures and a code of conduct for examinations. They also showed their commitment to GTDEE, aiming for “highest trust” and “transparency” through the whole process.

Visiting Don Bosco College on a 5-programme in mechatronics based on the German standard

On 30 October 2024, the GTDEE Senior Manager presented the mechatronics development under project-based learning for a 5-year programme to apprentices at Don Bosco Technological College, and welcomed Martyn Perkins, Executive Director of Knorr-Bremse Global Care Asia Pacific Ltd., who visited the college with a focus on cooperation with GTDEE / GTCC in a dual vocational education and training programme based on the German standard.

Workshop at E.tech on mechatronics under project-based learning approach

On 10 November 2024, GTDEE / GTCC organised a workshop on ‘Desired Competencies for Project-Based learning Regarding to Sustainability Concept’ for batch 2024 mechatronics students from the Eastern Technological College. The students presented their project group ideas, such as solar energy for the canteen, recycled plastic for 3D printing machines, a PET bottle refund machine, and a smart automation control system. They discussed sustainability in German vocational education and training with technical teachers, as well as the expert from GTDEE / GTCC.

Cooperation with Chiangmai Beverage in a mechatronics apprentice programme

Between 11-12 November 2024, GTDEE / GTCC organised a workshop on systematic thinking for Chiangmai Beverage Mechatronics Apprentice Programme. The workshop focused on cooperation with teachers and qualified trainers from the Human Resource Department and the Engineering Department, as well as the approval of the in-company training plan for dual vocational education and training in the German standard.

Joining the orientation day of the Chiangmai Beverage Mechatronics Apprentice Programme’s in-company training

On 19 November 2024, GTDEE / GTCC joined the orientation day of the Chiangmai Beverage Mechatronics Apprentice Programme’s in-company training. The GTDEE Senior Manager provided an introduction to the roles and responsibilities based on the service agreement, timetables, and cooperation in the organisation of the final examination, part 1 and part 2, for the Chiangmai Beverage Mechatronics Apprentice Programme batch 2024. Nine apprentices in mechatronics started training at Chiangmai Beverage Co. Ltd. for the first period, from 18 November 2024, to 14 March 2025.

PAL final examination part 1 for BMW Service Apprentice batch 2023

Between 25 and 28 November 2024, GTDEE / GTCC organised a PAL final examination part 1 for the BMW Service Apprentice Programme batch 2023, comprising apprentices from ten BMW dealerships and five vocational colleges, in cooperation with the GTDEE programme. The PAL final examination is based on the principle of German dual vocational education and training (VET) abroad, while independent examiners are experts in this field, including representatives from industrial sector, academic institutions, and GTDEE / GTCC. The PAL final examination part 1 took place at the BMW Group Thailand Training Center, Pathumthani.

PAL final examination part 1 for Mercedes-Benz Thailand Apprenticeship Programme batch 2023

On 25 November, 2 and 12 December 2024, GTDEE / GTCC organised a PAL final examination part 1 for the Mercedes-Benz Thailand Apprenticeship Programme batch 2023, comprising apprentices from three vocational colleges under the GTDEE programme. The independent examiners were experts in this field including representatives from industrial sector, academic institutions and GTDEE / GTCC. The PAL final examination part 1 took place at Mercedes-Benz Thailand Training Center, Samut Prakan.

Joining the certificates handover ceremony at Singha Museum

On 28 November 2024, GTCC Deputy Executive Director Marius Mehner, and the GTDEE Senior Manager joined the DIHK-AHK certificates handover ceremony at the Singha Museum. The event started with a welcome speech by Cholawit Suk-Udom, the Group Director – Corporate Capability Development, Boonrawd Brewery, and was followed by a congratulatory speech by the GTCC Deputy Executive Director. Sorasit Chatwatthanakun, the Acting Managing Director, Pathumthani Brewery Co. Ltd., handed over the certificates to five graduates from the Pathumthani Brewery Apprenticeship Programme batch 2021.

Monitoring the apprenticeship training at BMW dealers

From October to Mid-December, 2024, GTDEE visited BMW dealers in Bangkok to monitor their practical training of the BMW Service Apprentice Programme. The GTDEE Senior Manager and the Head of Dual Vocational Education and Training at Don Bosco Technological College, and Banphai Industrial and Community Education College, joined the visit to a total of 11 dealers.

Germany’s Berufskolleg Platz der Republik für Technik und Medien on their collaboration with Thailand’s Eastern Technological College (E-Tech)

Interview with Matthias Frecking

Can you give us a short introduction to your vocational college?

A vocational college is a type of school that brings together many individual schools under one roof. Berufskolleg Platz der Republik für Technik und Medien, our vocational college in Mönchengladbach, currently has 2,300 students who are taught by over 100 teachers. We are all united by our love of technology and design, which we “live” in a wide range of courses.

At our vocational college, students can acquire all possible school qualifications, in addition to the various technical and creative professions – right up to the Abitur, the highest possible school-leaving qualification in Germany.

After signing an MoU with Eastern Technological College (E-Tech) this year, what are the activities you have planned for 2025?

We are initially looking forward to an online exchange between teachers from E-Tech in Thailand, and our colleagues from Mönchengladbach. We want to get to know each other and find common ground. Of course, we won't forget the students, who will be working together on joint online projects.

A visit by Thai students to Mönchengladbach is planned for April 2025. We want to introduce them to our school, our city and, of course, our students. And we would be happy to make a return visit to Thailand afterwards.

Can you explain about implementing the sustainability concept in your school curriculum?

We strive to encourage our pupils to be mindful in their use of resources. This begins with the use of light and heat energy, and does not stop at consumables. PCs are borrowed and repaired again and again. A “repaircafe” is planned, in which defective electronic devices will be repaired by our pupils for a fee. As part of our learning projects, we pay attention to the reusability of product results. These should be available to as many work teams as possible.

Based on your experiences in training students, what kind of topics are most challenging for this generation?

In Germany, the issue of global climate change plays a very important role. Our young people see themselves as the last generation that can actively take action against global warming and the destruction of our planet. However, issues of self determination and personal freedom are also frequently discussed. The topics of respect for one another and across generational boundaries are also frequently discussed at school.

As a school, we responded to this need three years ago by becoming a “school without racism – a school with courage”. This is both a distinction and a constant incentive.

Contact details:

Matthias Frecking

Berufskolleg Platz der Republik für Technik und Medien

Platz der Republik 1

41065 Mönchengladbach (Germany)

Telefon (02161) 4916-0

Telefax (02161) 491616

frecking@bk-tm.de www.bk-tm.de

From dream to reality: The journey of a technical student to his dream career in the automotive industry

Interview with Natthaphong Phimngoen

Natthaphong Phimngoen is considered one of the most career-advanced Thai youths who joined the BMW Service Apprentice Program Batch 2022, in partnership with the GermanThai Dual Excellence Education (GTDEE), and had been trained at BMW Europa Motor Rama 2. Natthaphong completed a Por-wor-chor programme (3 years) in automotive techniques in 2022, and a Por-wor-sor programme in the same study in 2024, both from Banphai Industrial and Community Education College (BPIC). During his vocational studies, he was selected as President of the Association of Future Thai Professionals, BPIC, throughout his studies, from May 2022 to April 2024. Now he has been hired as a maintenance technician at the BMW Europa Rama 2.

How did you develop your childhood dream for the BMW brand?

After I saw information on social media with BMW vehicles on the roads, featuring very attractive sports cars, I searched for more information about BMW, such as the cost of the cars, the car designs and models, and whether the cars had good driving performance. I was truly impressed by this brand because of its various functions and modernity. I also learned that the driving performance and quality of the BMW brand were both excellent. It was my childhood dream to have my own BMW automobile one day. I really like the BMW brand.

What do you feel now, after joining the BMW Europa Motor family?

I am very happy and honoured to work and gain experience with BMW vehicles at the Europa Motor, through the dual-vocational education and training curriculum. I would like to thank the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce (GTCC) for the cooperation with the college that signed an MOU with BMW. And thanks to the college for bringing good things such as modern technology, to students. I aim to develop more skills to become a technician with expertise and knowledge in mechatronics. I would also like to thank BMW Europa Motor Rama 2 for training, teaching, and giving knowledge and advice.

What advice would you give to junior students about being an apprentice, and later a technician, at BMW Europa Motor Rama 2?

I would like them to focus on knowledge in engine maintenance, and the operational principles of various engine parts, in order to analyse the work and find the cause of any problems more accurately. After the training is over, if any of them would like to apply to be a maintenance technician or technician at BMW Europa Motor, I would like them to focus on practicing and developing their skills and competencies. Be determined to gain experience, learn, and analyse work from senior or skilled technicians at the dealership, in order to develop your own skills to become a professional technician in the future. Keep fighting, everyone!

What do you think about “quality of service”?

Quality of service is very important for technicians who provide after-sales services to customers because: A) Customers must have confidence and trust in bringing their expensive cars in for service; B) If we deliver a good job and the customers are happy, we will be able to work happily and love our work for the after-sales service. Think of it simply as “the customers’ cars are like our own cars.”

Contact details: Natthaphong Phimngoen khawsam01@gmail.com