Manager Training Programme

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The Manager Training Programme of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) is primarily addressed to small and medium-sized enterprises abroad which are interested in cooperating with German firms. The programme entitled “Fit for Partnership with Germany” prepares managers of companies in other countries to do business and work together with German firms – bringing benefits for both sides. The cross-sectoral programme currently includes 21 partner countries from Africa, Asia, Latin America and eastern Europe. More than 16,000 managers have already participated in the programme.

The practical programme aims to expand decision-making skills and management expertise and to set up business contacts with German firms. It also helps everyone involved – from both Germany and the partner country – to access the other country’s market. Three to four tailor-made contacts, primarily with German SMEs, are arranged for each participant. Many alumni of the programme become long-term partners of German enterprises and contribute to the cooperation between their firms and German business. In addition, the programme offers sector-specific training courses for participants from one or several partner countries.

At present, these sectors include:

• renewable energy
• environmental technologies/water and waste management
• energy efficiency in industrial companies
• energy efficiency in construction and modernisation of buildings
• healthcare
• agriculture/food processing
• mining and raw materials
• Industrie 4.0.
  

The programme comprises interactive training courses and practical training in German companies. An online phase prior to the two-week stay prepares the participants for their stay in Germany, during which they meet with potential business partners. In view of the travel restrictions due to the pandemic which partly continue to apply, the training courses can also be held in a virtual format.

Furthermore, several partner countries offer additional training programmes for managers from German companies. Under the "Fit for Business in Russia" [2] programme (since 2006) and the "Fit for Business in China" programme (since 2012), the Russian government and the Chinese government have been inviting German managers to participate in training courses in their respective countries. These programmes also serve to set up contacts. They are door-openers for German firms which wish to become active on foreign markets. The governments of the respective countries provide the funding for these programmes, which comprise both training components and contacts with administrations and local enterprises.

The Economic Affairs Ministry is responsible for the Manager Training Programme. It has commissioned the GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) to coordinate the programme. 18 business-related German training institutions, which were selected via a call for proposals, are in charge of the implementation of the programme.

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[1] Due to Russia’s attack on Ukraine, the cooperation with Russia in the context of the Manager Training Programme was suspended in March 2022. Ths suspension also applies to Belarus as the country supports Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine.
[2] This programme was also suspended in March 2022.