30.06.2025 | NEWS

Sino-German Training Partnership Delivers 85 Skilled Industrial Mechanics in Xuzhou

A total of 85 newly qualified industrial mechanics have joined the global operations of the XCMG Group (Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group), one of the world’s leading Chinese manufacturers of construction machinery. The graduates successfully completed a cooperative training program for industrial mechanics based on German vocational standards. The program was jointly implemented by XCMG College in Xuzhou, China, and Eckert Schools International.

 

Xuzhou/Regenstauf: 

The foundation for the cooperation between XCMG College and Dr. Eckert Academy was laid on May 16, 2023. On this occasion, Mr. Markus Johannes Zimmermann, Managing Director of Dr. Eckert Academy, and Ms. Yuehong Feng, Principal of XCMG College, signed a cooperation agreement online to establish an industrial mechanic training program based on German vocational standards in China. The initiative aims to optimally prepare 85 trainees from the XCMG Group for their future careers in an international working environment.

The working groups of both cooperation partners jointly developed a training concept for the cooperative program, drawing on German training regulations while incorporating the competency requirements of future fields of work within the XCMG Group.

Chinese and German trainers and instructors worked closely together to implement this concept. Through regular online coordination meetings, they exchanged updates on training progress and addressed challenges in a timely manner. Based on the German model, the teams collaboratively developed worksheets and practical training projects tailored to the needs of the trainees.

During the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 academic years, Eckert Schools International sent a German instructor to China for several weeks to deliver training modules to trainees at XCMG College. The German instructors introduced action-oriented, practice-based projects that were met with great enthusiasm by the trainees.

Through these project-based activities, participants were able to independently apply their acquired technical knowledge in an interdisciplinary and situation-appropriate manner. Team-based work also supported the development of social and personal competencies.

On behalf of Eckert Schools International, Mr. Andreas Fischer and Mr. Martin Schober each visited Xuzhou twice to conduct training sessions. Their commitment and expertise were highly valued by the Chinese school management and colleagues alike. The trainees also provided very positive feedback, particularly appreciating the holistic, competence-oriented approach of the training.

In order to ensure and continuously improve the quality of the cooperation classes, Markus Johannes Zimmermann traveled to Xuzhou, China, twice during the project implementation period, in November 2023 and March 2025, together with the Eckert Schools International team to meet with the school management of XCMG College for a joint exchange. The development strategy of the XCMG Group and the need for skilled workers with intercultural skills were jointly analyzed at these meetings, and new cooperation ideas were developed.

At the conclusion of the training program, XCMG College and Eckert Schools International jointly conducted the final examination in Xuzhou in accordance with German standards. All 85 trainees successfully passed the examination, clearing the way for their careers as qualified skilled workers within the XCMG Group’s international operations.

Following this first successful collaboration, one thing is clear: the partnership will continue. Beginning with the 2025/2026 academic year, two cooperative classes in mechatronics are planned as the next step in the joint training initiative.

back