BIBB signs cooperation agreement with Chile
Chile and Germany to collaborate more closely in future in the fields of research and education
Diana Cáceres-Reebs
Translated by: Martin Kelsey (Global Sprachteam)
A VET cooperation agreement was concluded between the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) and the Chilean government in Berlin on 17 November 2011. BIBB's partner on the Chilean side is the country's Ministry of Education (Ministerio de Educación Nacional).
Chilean Ambassador Mr. O'Ryan signs the cooperation agreement with BIBB on behalf of the Chilean Ministry of Education.
From left to right: Ms. Monica Cuevas (Head of Academic Research Cooperation at the Chilean Embassy in Berlin), Mr. Jorge O'Ryan Schütz (Ambassador of the Republic of Chile) Ms. Diana Cáceres-Reebs (BIBB member of staff in the Advisory Services and International Cooperation Section) Ministerial Director Mr. Volker Rieke (Head of Department, European and International Cooperation in Education and Research at the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, BMBF).
The signing ceremony took place in the presence of Mr. Volker Rieke, Head of Department, European and International Cooperation in Education and Research, at the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, BMBF, and the Chilean Head of Department for Higher Education and Vocational Education and Training, Mr. Juan José Ugarte and formed part of the third session held by the Mixed Commission for Academic Research and Technological Cooperation (WTZ) between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of Chile. The inter-governmental treaty between the two countries on bilateral cooperation in these areas has been in existence since as long ago as 1970.
The main thematic fields of interest within the context of German-Chilean cooperation are mining and mining technology and technology. For this reason, the Chilean Ministry of Labour and Mining will also have an important part to play within the scope of cooperation in the area of vocational education and training. Chile is one of the richest countries in South America in terms of natural resources. These include the world's largest copper reserves. The country is also planning major investments in the mining sector over the course of the next few years, meaning that the existing high demand for qualified skilled workers in this area will continue to rise. This demand relates both to trained staff in the technical field as well as to specialised academic and scientific researchers.
Some of the thematic areas of cooperation covered by the framework agreement now concluded are as follows.
- Development, coordination and implementation of training regulations for mining occupations
- Increased cooperation between the state and trade and industry
- Development of concepts for the training of VET staff
- Development of a framework for vocational education and training in Chile
As an industrialised country and exporting nation, Germany is highly dependent on a secure supply of raw materials. To this end, the Federal Government developed a Raw Materials Strategy in 2010 aimed at meeting the requirements of industry by securing a supply of mineral raw materials not used for the purpose of generating energy. The objective of this strategy is to protect the raw materials market from instability and distortion and thus ensure the competitiveness of German industry.
The strategy described above also encompasses topics such as:
- the establishment of bilateral raw materials partnerships with selected countries and
- fostering initial and continuing training of foreign management staff and skilled workers in the raw materials sector.
Chile is BIBB's fourth cooperation partner in Central and South America following Columbia, Mexico and Brazil.
