Munich. The BMW Group has launched an extensive digitalisation
offensive in the field of vocational training. In this way, the
company is able to secure future talents.
“Our BMW Group employees are a decisive competitive factor. They play
a key role in the success of the company – which is particularly
important in the digital transformation currently taking place in our
industry,” explained Ilka Horstmeier, member of the Board of
Management of BMW AG responsible for Human Resources. “By stepping up
our digitalisation offensive in the area of vocational training, the
BMW Group is not only ensuring it remains attractive to Generation Z,
but also activating new potential and ultimately safeguarding the
company’s future.”
The digitalisation of vocational training is based on three pillars:
modern mobile devices; new digital collaboration and learning
platforms; and a broad range of talent development tailored to the
individual. The BMW Group is providing apprentices with equipment that
includes Surface laptops with Office 365, multifunctional headphones
and smartphones, as well as various communications platforms for agile
and efficient mobile cooperation.
The BMW Group is integrating new digital teaching and learning
formats into the vocational training learning ecosystem and enabling
modern delivery of learning content at the company and through
“learning2go”. This was also the central theme of the BMW Group
trainer event “Digitalisation@VocationalTraining” held at BMW Welt
attended by 120 trainers and YouTuber Daniel Jung, whose popular
tutorials “Maths by Daniel Jung” are a good example of successful
digital learning.
With access to training programmes such as UDACITY, apprentices and
dual students can acquire additional skills and receive
“nano-degrees”, e.g. in the field of artificial intelligence. This is
just one example of how learning and working together at the BMW Group
is not only being geared more towards talents, but also becoming
faster and more self-directed.
At the same time, digital natives’ personal knowledge is valued and
integrated into daily work processes. Through so-called reverse
mentoring, junior staff serve as “change agents” who help
their more experienced colleagues with topics such as agile project
management or digital collaboration platforms and social networks.
This shift of competence within the BMW Group is also reflected in
the introduction of three further apprenticeships with specialisations
in the fields of IT and electronics, as well as 15 dual Bachelor’s
programmes in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and
mathematics). The 27 existing occupations are also being continuously
adjusted to future requirements and increasingly access content such
as big data/data analytics, agile work methods, additive manufacturing
processes, electrification and automation technology.