Two CPCC Students, Mentor to Participate in German Study, Work Abroad Program

The German Language and Culture Foundation (GLCF) will award Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) a $12,000 grant to support scholarships for up to two students and one mentor as part of its “Study and Work Abroad – Experience the German Workplace as an Apprentice and Mentor!” program.

Both GLCF and CPCC want to increase the opportunities for more apprentices to study abroad, as only one percent of apprentices currently participate in such programs. Since apprenticeship provides deeper work experiences for students, CPCC welcomes the opportunity for more apprentices to study abroad and experience the global workplace. In addition, the program is extended to a mentor of a proven apprenticeship program to experience teaching methods with his or her peers in Germany. Best practices will be shared and discussed.

“Study and Work Abroad – Experience the German Workplace!” is a three-month program that is comprised of one month of language study and two months of on-the-job training. To qualify, a participant must have taken the German language for at least one semester, be between 18 and 25 years of age, and be enrolled in a college curriculum program that is recognized in Germany. Once accepted, the student will receive college credit for their time in Germany, while remaining a permanent employee of the U.S.-based company where they serve as an apprentice and earn a regular paycheck. Any mentor participant must fulfill the language requirements as well and submit a written recommendation by their employer for studying and working abroad for three months.

“In this increasingly competitive global economy, America’s economic strength depends on a highly skilled and global workforce,” said Brigitte Hartenstein, president of the GLCF and manager of E&EC GmbH, a consultant firm for start-up businesses. “To achieve this goal, both apprentices and mentors should experience a global work culture while actually working side by side with their peers in Germany. This program provides a life changing opportunity to help participants improve their skill set.”

This marks the second time The German Language and Culture Foundation has received this type of grant from the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The GLCF launched the program at CPCC in 2015 because of the college’s robust German language program and established apprenticeship partnerships with Siemens, groninger USA, Bosch Rexroth, Blum, Pfaff Mold, Daetwyler and others. As a result, two CPCC apprentices from Bosch Rexroth and groninger USA were awarded the GLCF scholarship that same year and traveled abroad in 2016. Another influencing factor in the foundation’s decision was the existing relationship between CPCC and IHK Karlsruhe, a German chamber of industry and commerce that recognizes multiple CPCC degree programs.

The scholarship’s funding may be used to cover the costs of the program’s tuition, books, travel expenses and accommodations.

Current apprentices interested in studying abroad can email workplace.learning@cpcc.edu to learn more about applying to the GLCF program. Learn more about CPCC’s study abroad programs. Learn more about the German Language and Culture Foundation and its projects.

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