AGP Educational Summit
Today's Challenge: Educated Workforce & Skilled Labor
The lack of skilled workers, especially in manufacturing, has become an issue all over the US, and both US and German companies are feeling the effects. But what about the highly educated engineers - do we have enough? How can we work together to improve these areas? How do we keep the German language classes in school? Do the German companies need German speaking employees? What can US learn from the German apprenticeship program? Does it work? We will try to cover these and other questions during presentations and a panel discussion (all presenters will participate in panel).
We are honored to have opening remarks by Alabama's Secretary of Commerce, Greg Canfield and Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Christoph Sander.
Alabama's State Superintendent Dr. Bice and Chancellor, Dept. of Postsecondary Education will bring us up to date on what is going on in the educational sector.
We will learn from two German companies (Mercedes-Benz US International & BLG Logistics) that successfully have tailored curriculum and programs to their specific needs and attract employees that are likely to stay long-term. Another German business leader will also share thoughts about the educational system.
German American Chamber of Commerce will present their involvement in vocational training including official certification. Alabama Industrial Development Training, and Consortium for Alabama Regional Center for Automotive will introduce their organizations and present many resources that is available to the companies here in Alabama. The Summit will include networking, lunch and a tour of the new AIDT training center.
PROGRAM
9:30 a.m. Registration & Networking
10:00 a.m. Welcome by AGP
Opening Remarks by:
Secretary of Commerce, Greg Canfield
Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Christoph Sander
- Ed Castile, AIDT
- Dr. Tommy Bice, State Superintendent
- Dr. Mark Heinrich, Chancellor, Department of Postsecondary Education
- Beverly Hilderbrand, Director, Consortium for Alabama Regional Center for Automotive Manufacturing
- Stefanie Jehlitschka, Vice President, German American Chamber of Commerce Southeast
- Steve Colburn, HR, Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc.
- Kirk Atkinson, Business Development Manager, BLG Logistics, Inc
- Dr. John L. Evans, Director, Southern Alliance for Vehicle Manufacturing, Thomas Walter Professor of Technology Management, Auburn University
- Dr. Bharat Balasubramanian, Executive Director, UA Center for Advanced Vehicle Technologies
- Petra Reuter, German Language Advisor USA Southeast, Central Agency for Schools Abroad
- Dr. Wolfgang Kneer, President and Member of the Board at SWJ - Breilmann US
Remarks by:
Representative, Alabama State Board of Education, D8, Mary Scott Hunter
45 minute lunch break around 12:00 p.m. and an opportunity to tour the AIDT Center
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Panel Q & A and Discussion
Please register for AGP's Business Seminar TODAY! Space is limited.
WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE PLANT MANAGERS, GENERAL MANAGERS, HUMAN RESOURCES, ECONOMIC DEVELOPERS, SUPERINTENDENTS, TEACHERS, PARENTS, AND STUDENTS TO JOIN US.