Further training on the use of digital media for trainers

With its new learning platform – the MIKA Campus – the Federal Institute for Vocational Training offers trainers advanced training in the use of digital media. Seminars and a train-the-trainer program will follow.

This article is part of the special topic " Digital Media in Vocational Training".

The Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) is expanding its continuing education offerings for in-company training staff in vocational education with the MIKA Campus . The learning platform, developed by the BIBB for acquiring digital and media literacy skills, has been launched as the first of three components of the "Media and IT Competence for Training Staff" (MIKA) project.

The professional development program, funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, aims to establish the use of digital media in vocational training . It supports company training staff through guided, practical exercises in face-to-face events, webinars, and self-study phases, thereby enabling them to acquire or expand their digital and media literacy skills.

The work-integrated training program was developed at the BIBB and tested with external partners, for example with chambers of crafts, chambers of industry and commerce and vocational training institutions.

Learning modules of the MIKA Campus

On the MIKA Campus, trainers can learn practical skills such as how to best interact with their trainees virtually and how to organize teamwork and feedback sessions digitally. Further learning modules address topics such as the impact of digitalization on the world of work and which licenses, for example, allow the legally compliant use of online research for training purposes. Users are guided through the various learning modules by Mika, a virtual moderator and trainee herself.

Background: The BIBB (Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training) states that the potential of digital media in vocational training is currently underutilized. Its use is often unsystematic or haphazard, and depends on the training staff's familiarity with digital media. "There is considerable uncertainty regarding the legal framework, while knowledge of didactic potential and practical applications within companies is still limited." With its MIKA professional development program, the BIBB aims to close this gap and strengthen the digital professional competence of training staff.

Continuous support 

Friedrich Hubert Esser, President of the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) Photo: © BIBB

For BIBB President Friedrich Hubert Esser, the quality of Germany's dual vocational training system stands or falls with the quality of the training staff . "Therefore, the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training places a high priority on the continuous support of trainers in their role as learning mentors for trainees. We expect this continuing education format to be well-received thanks to the specifically chosen didactic approach of embedding the acquisition of media and IT skills directly into the trainers' training process."

A scientific analysis of the overall MIKA concept, which will start in summer 2022, should also enable the BIBB to set a first nationwide standard for promoting media and IT skills among company training staff.

Digital Media in Vocational Training: In the online article "Digital Tools for Trainers" on handwerksblatt.de, we report on the trial of the MIKA seminar. Further articles on the use of digital media, such as report book apps or VR glasses, can be found in the special features "Digital Media in Vocational Training" or "Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality in the Trades . "

Further project modules

At the start of the new training year, two further project components will be launched : the MIKA seminars , an easily accessible professional development program for company training staff in a blended learning format, and a train-the-trainer program ( MIKA trainer ) . The two-day training course is mandatory for future MIKA seminar leaders. The aim is to ensure a nationwide quality standard for the delivery of the developed MIKA seminars.

Source: Federal Institute for Vocational Training

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