Schaeffler hosted 20 local students for a tour of its global manufacturing hub in Bien Hoa City on Friday, November 6, 2020, as part of a new vocational skill development project launched in partnership with a technical college. The apprenticeship program will focus on developing highly skilled workforce for industries in Vietnam by providing enrolled students advanced training according to German standards.
Schaeffler Vietnam launched the project by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with LiLama2 International Technology College to jointly conduct the 3-year pilot program for theoretical and practical training. Leaders from both sides signed the MoU at a special ceremony at the college on October 30, 2020. Schaeffler management from Singapore and Southeast Asia joined the event virtually via a video conference.
Students enrolled in the pilot program will receive two and a half years of college learning and half year on-the-job training at Schaeffler where they will be assigned to the CNC metal cutting line. The program offers the students access to highly qualified teachers and modern technical equipment at the college; and an opportunity to learn from industry experts at the manufacturing plant.
First-of-its-kind program from Schaeffler in Southeast Asia
Vietnam is the first location in Southeast Asia where Schaeffler has introduced the long-standing tradition of the German Vocational Training System that is also known as dual training system. “As a global family business, providing vocational training and continuing education opportunities to our employees as well as skilled youth in the local communities we operate is a tradition that we have always held in the highest regard,” said Oliver Rother, Senior Vice President Human Resources at Schaeffler Asia Pacific.
Inaugurated in 2019, the Vietnam plant has been developed as a global industrial production hub with state-of-the-art production concepts and as a digital pilot plant for Schaeffler’s global production system. With range and product line extensions over the past year, the plant is geared to serve an ever-increasing number of regional and global customers with best-in-class products and systems for a wide range of industrial applications.
“In Vietnam we have found a talented, well-educated, and ambitious population with great faith in their future and excellent attitude towards manufacturing. We are excited to have LiLama as partner to help us to build up the right technical education system and develop young people to support us to become successful,” said Klaus Mueller, COO Schaeffler Asia Pacific, in his speech during the MoU ceremony.
Schaeffler has a vision to develop Vietnam as a strategic light house location for the Asia Pacific region with dual focus on continuously increasing local manufacturing and technical excellence. Based on the success of the pilot program with LiLama, Schaeffler plans to expand local training capabilities stepwise over the next years.
