ster, or master technician) on up, managers are respected for what they know rather than who they are. They tend to be far less controlling than many of their US counterparts. Instead, it is assumed that workers and supervisors will meet deadlines, guarantee quality and service, and do not require close supervision. Independence within agreed-upon parameters characterizes the working relationship between managers and the managed.the organizational facade of German firms is a particular notion of technical competence commonly referred to as Technik. This describes the knowledge and skills required for work. It is the science and art of manufacturing high-quality and technologically advanced products. The success of Technik in German manufacturing is evidenced by the fact that over 40 percent of Germany s gross domestic product is derived from manufacturing. Indeed, Germany is responsible for over half of all EU manufactured exports. It is for this reason that knowledge of Technik represents a principal determinant in the selection of supervisors and managers.principal method for developing this technical competence in workers begins with widespread and intensive apprenticeship training programs. It is estimated that over 65 percent of 15 - and 16-year-old Germans enter some form of vocational training program. Apprenticeship programs exist not only for manual occupations, but also for many technical, commercial, and managerial occupations. There are two principal forms of vocational training in Germany. The first consists of general and specialized training programs offered by vocational schools and technical colleges. The second, referred to as the dual system, combines in-house apprenticeship training with part-time vocational training leading to a skilled-worker certificate. There are over 400 nationally recognized vocational certificates. Qualifications for each certificate are standardized throughout the country, leading to a well-trained workforce with skills that are not company-specific. This certificated training can be followed by attendance at one of the many Fachschule, or advanced vocational colleges. Graduation from a Fachschule facilitates the achievement of a Meister (or master technician) certification (see Exhibit 6.10). Dual system of apprenticeship training represents a partnership between employers, unions, and the government. Costs are typically shared between companies and the government on a two-thirds/one-third basis.
Exhibit 6.10 Germany s dual system of vocational training
Employers are legally required to release young workers for vocational training. German companies are also widely known for their enthusiastic support of company-sponsored training programs. Mercedes-Benz (part of Daimler), for example, regularly offers 180 vocational courses to its employees. Each year, the company has over 600 employees studying in vocational or modular management development courses, as well as over 4,000 employees who participate in some form of formal training at the company s training center.leaving this topic, it should be noted that in recent years some people have criticized the complexity of German apprenticeship programs, as well as the length of time required for certification. It has been argued that this lengthy...
