By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee 

The Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI, President & CEO Marie Antonia von Schönburg), hosted the 4th Ausbildung Graduation Ceremony, in collaboration with BMW Group Korea, MAN Truck & Bus Korea, Mercedes-Benz Korea, and Volkswagen Group Korea, at the Grand Hyatt Seoul on April 24, 2025.

The Ausbildung program, introduced by KGCCI in Korea, combines 70% practical industry training with 30% theoretical education. Upon successful completion, trainees are awarded an official Ausbildung certificate jointly issued by the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) and KGCCI.

The event began with a speech by H.E. Georg Schmidt, German Ambassador to Korea, followed by congratulatory remarks from Bo-young Choi, Director of the Higher Vocational Education Policy Division at the Ministry of Education, Dr. Achim Dercks, Deputy Managing Director of the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), and Marie Antonia von Schönburg, President and CEO of KGCCI.

H.E. Georg Schmidt, German Ambassador to Korea, underscored the critical role of industry-academia collaboration in navigating the profound transformation currently underway in the global automotive sector. He stated, “KGCCI’s Ausbildung program is more than education—it’s a bridge between tradition and innovation, Germany and Korea, and emerging talent and industry leaders. These graduates have mastered the skills that will define the future of mobility and beyond. In an era of rapid technological change, their expertise will drive progress, shaping industries and economies alike.”

Dr. Dercks, Deputy Managing Director of DIHK, expressed optimism about the graduates' future, stating, “Today’s graduation marks both the culmination of your dedication and hard work over the past years and the beginning of an exciting new chapter in your career journey.” He further encouraged the graduates, adding, “Now is the time to put your skills into action and make your mark in the real world of business.”

Celebrating the trainees’ three-year journey and professional growth, the ceremony honored a total of 58 graduates from Audi, BMW Group Korea, MAN Truck & Bus Korea, Mercedes-Benz Korea, and Volkswagen Group Korea. Based on evaluations conducted throughout the program, each brand also recognized ‘Best Trainee’ and ‘Best Trainer,’ honoring their exceptional performance and dedication.

Among the distinguished graduates were △Audi Best Trainee Sang-Min Park △BMW Best Trainee Heon-Jin Ha, Best Trainer Seung-Seon Noh (both from Samchully Motors/Cheongju) △MAN Truck & Bus Best Trainee Kang-Woo Lee, Best Trainer Sang-Min Kim (both from MAN Truck & Bus Korea/Yongin) △Mercedes-Benz Best Trainee Do-Gyeom Yoo, Best Trainer Yong-Hoon Oh (both from Motor One/Ilsan) △Volkswagen Best Trainee Ji-Seop Jung, Best Trainer Hyun-Seok Kang (both from Autobahn VAG/Cheonan).

Do-Gyeom Yoo, a trainee from Mercedes-Benz, reflected on his experience, stating, “The Ausbildung program’s unique combination of hands-on work and academic learning has been essential to my growth. I aspire to continue developing my expertise and become a leading technician who adds value to the automotive industry. I am especially thankful to my trainer, Yong-Hoon Oh, for his steadfast support and mentorship throughout this meaningful journey.”

Young-jin Kim, Deputy Director of the KGCCI Ausbildung program, emphasized the significance of the trainees' achievements, stating, “The Ausbildung trainees are a true source of pride for all of us, and their future is intrinsically linked to the future of Korean industry. From their beginnings as high school students, they have grown into confident, skilled professionals making valuable contributions in their respective companies.” She added, “We kindly ask for continued interest and support to ensure they keep growing and thriving in the years ahead.”

KGCCI introduced the Ausbildung program in Korea in 2017, in collaboration with German automotive companies such as Mercedes-Benz Korea and BMW Group Korea. Subsequently, Daimler Truck Korea and MAN Truck & Bus Korea joined in 2018, followed by Volkswagen Group Korea in 2019 and Porsche Korea in 2021. Currently, five Korean colleges are participating in four different Ausbildung professions – general auto maintenance, car body, and painting and service advising. The program has seen an impressive growth that around 450 trainees and 330 trainers are currently involved in the program, operating at 145 service centers. A total of 211 trainees have successfully completed the program.