Vietnam: Freight forwarding apprenticeship based on German standards

Looking for junior staff, a. hartrodt is taking an unusual approach by offering dual vocational education in Vietnam. At the end of September 2020, Hoa Nguyen successfully completed her two-year apprenticeship as a Management Assistant for Freight Forwarding and Logistics Services based on German standards at a. hartrodt logistics (Vietnam) in Ho Chi Minh City. "I was amazed how much knowledge you need," she says. At the same time, she passed her exam as a transport engineer at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Transport. Now the 22-year-old masters "all the details related to freight transportation".

Cooperation with the AHK Vietnam

"When it comes to professional training, we are supported by the Chamber of Commerce Abroad, AHK Vietnam," reports Thorne Laudy, Managing Director Vietnam at a. hartrodt. The AHK Vietnam performs the examinations and generates certificates that are equivalent to a German degree. "Every student at an approved partner university can apply for the dual training program from the second academic year onwards," explains Michael Krutil, who initiated the cooperation at a. hartrodt.

Three days university, two days company

Mai Thi Thuy Dung is currently in her second year of training at a. hartrodt in Ho Chi Minh City. The prerequisites were not only a certificate from her university and very good English skills, she also convinced Krutil at a speed-dating event for trainees organized by the AHK: "This is where companies select suitable candidates, who they then invite for an interview." The apprenticeship lasts two to three years and, according to Krutil, the payment is "contractually secured in a similar way as in Germany". Every week, students spend three days at university and two at the company – after the apprenticeship, they are usually taken on by the company.

Since October 2020, Hoa Nguyen has an employment contract as a customer service team member at a. hartrodt in Vietnam with 26 employees. In 2021, she plans to prepare for a management position in the family-owned company by spending several months at the headquarters in Hamburg.