01.12.2025 | NEWS

German Industrial Master International: Milestone Achieved in Sino-German Vocational Education Cooperation

In November 2025, 49 students from Lishui Vocational Technical College completed the interdisciplinary basic qualification examinations of the DIMI (German Industrial Master International) program in Lishui, China. This achievement marks an important milestone in the cooperation between Lishui College and Dr. Eckert Academy.

 

Lishui/Regenstauf: The project officially commenced on June 14, 2024, when Lishui Vocational Technical College and Dr. Eckert Academy signed a cooperation agreement online. Both partners thereby embarked on the ambitious and challenging task of implementing the “German Industrial Master International” program in China.

Industrial foremen have long played a key role in German industry, serving as a vital link between skilled workers and management. They assume leadership responsibilities, organize production processes, and ensure compliance with quality standards—contributing to greater efficiency, higher earning potential, and sustainable career prospects in modern industry.

To date, German-Chinese cooperation in vocational education has primarily focused on initial training for skilled workers. The dual system has already been introduced in China in line with regional conditions and adapted to local requirements. However, Chinese industry increasingly requires qualified professionals who are also prepared to take on leadership and management responsibilities.

Following extensive surveys of companies in Lishui, as well as in-depth analysis and consultation with education experts from Eckert Schools International, both cooperation partners decided to implement the “German Industrial Master International” program.

Moderated by Mr. Gerald Saule, Head of Vocational Training International at Dr. Eckert Academy, workshops were held in Lishui in September 2024. During these sessions, the project team developed the training concept for the implementation of the DIMI program in Lishui, China. To familiarize Chinese teaching staff with the pedagogy, didactics, and structure of the German vocational education system, Eckert Schools International also conducted on-site teacher training programs in Lishui.

In implementing the DIMI program in Lishui, the structure of the German IHK-certified Industrial Master qualification was adopted. The individual content areas were carefully analyzed and adapted to Chinese conditions, such as national legislation and corporate culture. With the support of experts from Eckert Schools International, Chinese lecturers and company trainers jointly developed localized course materials based on real-world industrial scenarios.

As the Industrial Master qualification is an advanced training program that builds on the successful completion of initial vocational training, students at Lishui Vocational Technical College were required to complete a two-year mechatronics training program in accordance with German standards. Mr. Hubert Döllinger, Head of the Mechatronics and Electrical Engineering Department at Dr. Eckert Academy, visited Lishui, China, on several occasions to train teaching staff and students and to prepare them for the skilled worker examinations.

Examination Parts I and II were conducted in fall 2024 and spring 2025, respectively. The holistic and practice-oriented assignments used by Mr. Döllinger during exam preparation proved highly effective: all students in the cooperation classes passed the examinations successfully. More importantly, the students acquired the technical expertise and practical skills that paved the way for the “German Industrial Master International” program.

On behalf of Eckert Schools International, Mr. Hans Sperl, Head of the IHK Programs Department at Dr. Eckert Academy, traveled to Lishui, China, to provide intensive preparation for the Basic Qualifications (BQ) examination. “It was impressive to see how far the students have already progressed in the ‘German Industrial Master International’ program. Our Chinese colleagues have done an excellent job,” Mr. Sperl commented. With the exception of one student, all participants successfully passed the BQ examination.

Looking ahead, Gerald Saule, Head of Vocational Training International at Dr. Eckert Academy, emphasized the next phase of the program: “The next logical step is to implement the action-specific qualifications of the ‘German Industrial Master International’ program in order to prepare the students optimally for their future leadership roles.”

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