Business-Education Collaboration: A Look at the German Model of Education

Mercedes, Porsche & more: How collaboration between business and education powers workforce development in Germany

In June, a Minnesota delegation including Sen. Senjem and Rep. Norton traveled to Stuttgart, Germany. They spent five days with business executives, chamber of industry and commerce officials, labor leaders, state government officers and experts in education to understand what goes into creating the highly skilled workforce that turned Baden-Württemberg into a perennial economic powerhouse.  

Home to Mercedes Benz, Porsche and a large network of manufacturing supplies, Baden-Württemberg leads the European Union Innovation Index, capturing 4.3% of the world's total engineering market and outperforming entire nations such as Great Britain and France.  
 

Sen. Senjem and Rep. Norton will present findings from their first-hand look at the role of businesses in education and workforce development in Germany, followed by discussions by local education and business leaders about how to actively engage to strengthen American workforce development.

Event Program:
Part One: A Look at the German Model of Education

Senator Dave Senjem and Representative Kim Norton

Part Two: Rochester Area Education Leaders' Perspective

RCTC President Dr. Gail O'Kane, University of MN-Rochester Chancellor Stephen Lehmkuhle, RPS Superintendent Michael Munoz, Kasson-Mantorville Superintendent Mark Matuska 

Part Three: Business Leaders' Perspective

Todd Lightner, McNeilus Companies; Brent Bultema, Mayo Clinic; Brad Jones, Rochester Area Convention and Visitors Bureau/Hospitality 1st; Shannon Knoepke, Cumulus Radio