International Expert Conference
New Approaches for Lifelong Learning in Vocational Education and Training
Certified IT Qualifications and Blended Learning
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U.S., German Summit examines lifelong learning trends in IT
Focus Is Flexible, Sustainable and Market-Driven Training
With more learners requiring sustainable initial and occupational education to keep up with rapidly changing industries and technologies, a cadre of international experts will meet in Bonn, Germany, May 10-12 to examine new and better approach to prepare today's workforce.
More than 60 education and training specialists from Germany, the United States, and other EU member states will participate in the three-day conference - "New Approaches for Lifelong Learning, IT Certification and Blended Learning." Also participating are representatives of employer and employee associations and IT (information technology) supply and user industries. The event is sponsored by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), Washington, D.C., and the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB), Bonn, Germany under a Memorandum of Understanding negotiated in 2003 to encourage transatlantic collaboration on common workforce issues.
Much of the conference's discussion will focus on the rapid infusion of IT into training for most occupations, with the resulting need to address constantly changing technologies. For educators, this means development of training programs that are flexible, sustainable and industry-demand driven. So-called "blended learning," which includes a combination of classroom, distance or electronic learning, and experiential workplace learning, will be a key issue. Specific points of interest include:
- new approaches to certifying IT education and training;
- assessment of competencies related to certification;
- the role on non-credit IT coursework in meeting qualification standards;
- systems and instruments to promote transparency in certification training;
- blended learning strategies for occupational education.
The German Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) is a nationally and internationally recognized centre of expertise for research and development in the field of initial and continuing vocational education and training.
The aims of its research, development and counseling activities are to identify the future functions of vocational education and training, to promote innovation in vocational education and training at national and international level and to develop new and practically viable solutions for use in initial and continuing education and training.
The American Association of Community Colleges is a national organization representing the more than 1,200 U.S. community, junior and technical colleges and their 11.6 million students. Community colleges are the largest and fastest growing sector of U.S. higher education, enrolling almost half (45 percent) of all U.S. undergraduates.
Dr. George R. Boggs, Prof. Dr. Helmut Pütz
Opening Speeches 
- Prof. Dr. Helmut Pütz, President of the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training, Bonn
- Dr. George R. Boggs, President of the American Association of Community Colleges, Washington, D.C.
- Dr. Friedhelm Franz, Chief Executive Officer of the Siegen Centre for Technology
- Mr. Frithjof Kühn, Chief Administrative Officer of the Rhine Sieg District, Siegburg
Dr. James F. McKenney, Dr. Gisela Dybowski, Dr. Volker Rein
Session 1 [ Pictures ]
Certified IT Qualifications in the context of Learning and Career Paths
- Summary of statements and discussions
- National Information Technology Apprenticeship System NITAS - John Engman, Bodo Vander
abstract | presentation - Certified IT training at vocational colleges - Dr. Pinny Sheoran
abstract | presentation - IT qualification units and occupational competency - Henrik Schwarz
abstract | presentation - Advanced IT Training System - Dr. Stephan Pfisterer
abstract | presentation
Session 2 [ Pictures ]
Competence Assessment and Validation in certified IT Education and Training
presentation Dr. Peter Joyce, Workforce Development Manager, Cisco Systems, Inc.
- Summary of statements and discussions
- Work process oriented competence in IT, APO IT - Dr. Walter Mattauch
abstract | presentation - Competence assessment and validation in practice - Dr. Sam Borden
abstract | presentation
Session 3 [ Pictures ]
The contribution of nonformal IT Qualifications to the development of VET and Skill Standards
- Summary of statements and discussions
- Vendor neutral IT qualification certificates and IT skill standards - John Engman
abstract | presentation - The development of the Advanced IT Training System concerning IT industry certificates - Dr. Michael Ehrke
abstract | presentation
Session 4 [ Pictures ]
Transparency Systems and Instruments in certified IT Education and Training
- Summary of statements and discussions
- Transparency and permeability between general, vocational and academic educational sectors respectively different national educational systems - David Wilcox, Kerstin Mucke
abstract | presentation - David Wilcox
abstract | presentation - Kerstin Mucke - European eSkills Meta Framework - Dr. Franz Gramlinger
abstract | presentation
Session 5 [ Pictures ]
Blended Learning in process oriented VET
- Summary of statements and discussions - Dr. James Jacobs, Michael Härtel
- Virtual training simulator in automotive industry, Toyota - Jamie Justice
abstract | presentation - Blended learning training concept at the 'Siemens Technik Akademie' - Wilfrid Lammers, Kellyn Kruger
abstract | presentation (pdf) | presentation (ppt, 7MB) - Netbased work process integrated continuing training system for automotive industry workers at DaimlerChrysler - Volker Engert
abstract | presentation
Summary and Final Discussion
Visit at the DaimlerChrysler Training Center in Mannheim [ Pictures ]
