Based on the capacity building concept of “Programme Vocational Training 2008”, GIZ in cooperation with GDVT organized a series of practice-oriented training courses for teachers/instructors of partner institutes in the fields of electrotechnics/electronics and mechatronics in year 2012.

As a first step, the introductory training and competence assessment course for each field organized separately in order to analyse the existing competencies of teachers/instructors, especially vocational skills in these fields. Following-up on the result of assessment courses and the PVT2008 Operational Plan, two practice-oriented further training packages in electrotechnics and mechatronics have been designed to improve vocational competencies as well as related methodical and didactical knowledge and skills of teachers/instructors.

From January to December 2012, 13 practice-oriented training courses in total have been conducted by local and international experts for 57 electrotechnics/electronics and mechatronics teachers/instructors of 5 PVT2008 partner institutes and LiLAMA 2 College with 184 participations as follows:

– Fundamental Training: Electrical Engineering and Electronics WS (Health and Safety,
Environmental Regulations, Protective Measures, Protective Systems in electrical installations)
– Project-oriented Basic Electrics for mechatronics and electrics/electronics
– Practical Application of electronic circuits
– Industrial Control Applications: Wired Relay, Electronic Relay, Human Machine Interface, PLC
Technology
– Electrical Installations: Buildings and Infrastructure
– Pneumatics and Applications
– Electro-Pneumatics and Industrial Installation
– Hydraulics and Applications
– Installation of Hydraulic Controls, Pipe-Bending
– Electro-Hydraulics and Applications
– PLC-Basics and Pneumatic Applications
– PLC-advanced Installation and Application
– Sensors Digital and Analogue

After completion of these training series, the vocational teachers/instructor improved the required knowledge and skills to conduct practice-oriented training for trainees in the respective fields. Examples of such skills, under the instructions of the German and Vietnamese trainers, they learnt to process metal/non-metal materials used in the field of electrotechnics/electronics and mechatronics, bend cables and cable terminals, check connections according to technical documents and make soft soldering connections, install and measure the electrical circuits and cabinets, programme and operate the control systems with PLC, etc. During the training process they also have learnt how to use standard industrial tools and devices in processing, installing and measuring. A lot of products/systems on high quality were designed and installed by the teachers/instructors with professional tools during these training courses.

Beside the technical contents, participants were guided on how to implement industrial electrotechnic/electronic and mechatronic curriculum modules on high quality at their home institutes. With activeness and enthusiasm they shared experiences and discussed preparation of the trainings, development of teaching and learning aids, workshop arrangement including safety and cleanness, methods of practical training organization and evaluation.

At the end of each training course, every participant has been finally assessed according to criterions of German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). After these training courses the teachers are asked beside application of the gained knowledge and skills in training of trainees also to support the multiplication at their institutes under use of the provided training material (available in English/German and Vietnamese) and further develop competencies in the next training courses in 2013.

After completion of the multi-level training programme the teachers/instructors will be able to conduct practice-oriented training on high quality and to utilize effectively the electrotechnics/electronics and mechatronics equipment being supported by German financial cooperation.

Next steps:

In order to build capacity for key teachers/instructors of partner institutes as multipliers for further trainings at their own institutes, potential participants of above training courses will be invited to participate in the further training courses in year 2013.