Germany. With a global team of almost 160,000 people, the BMW Group is an integral part of society – a responsible corporate citizen. And that’s why we have a responsibility to do our part. Faced with societal challenges such as youth unemployment and a shortage of skilled workers, we see ourselves as part of the solution.
One example of the BMW Group’s engagement is its involvement in educational projects that give young people the environment they need to flourish freely and enter the job market. Education is a cornerstone of our corporate citizenship strategy and the driving force behind social development. International World Youth Skills Day on 15 July is a reminder of just how important it is to nurture the skills and education of young people. Because every young person has their talents – but not every environment is right for those talents to shine through.
International partnerships support a successful start to working life
The BMW Group sees strong partnerships as fundamental to supporting young people seeking to enter the world of work. In choosing our partners, we make sure that our goals and values align – such as taking the longer view, internationality and supporting education. Here are two examples:
Together, UNICEF and the BMW Group run a programme called “BRIDGE. Educating Young People for Tomorrow Today”. Operating in Brazil, India, Mexico, South Africa and Thailand, BRIDGE teaches kids and young people key skills in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths) – because they are fundamental to a host of professions that are in demand worldwide.
Another example is our involvement with the JOBLINGE organisation at locations across Germany. The JOBLINGE Basecamp in Munich is a space for young people to come together to learn and get support as they integrate into the job market and society. The BMW Group is one of the founding partners of the project, along with the Allianz Group, Infineon Technologies AG, the Lufthansa Group and Siemens AG.
From South Africa to Japan: local cooperation to build skills
The BMW Group works with various local organisations at its facilities and locations around the world. In South Africa, Brazil, India, China and Japan – to name just a few – disadvantaged young people are given the opportunity to access education. BMW Group Plant Araquari in Brazil, for example, works with the local Centro Social. Together, they have been providing free extracurricular sports, educational, and cultural activities for underprivileged children since 2015, in a space of about 1,300 square metres. Meanwhile, over in South Africa the focus is on promoting STEM subjects in schools. In India the Magic Bus project is helping young people escape a life of poverty so they can learn life skills and gain qualifications for a job. In Thailand, BMW acknowledges the significance of harnessing the potential of the new generation of youth, who will shape the future of society. Consequently, BMW Group Thailand have initiated several projects aimed at enhancing education and skills among the youth in various domains, including the BMW Service Apprentice and Dual Excellence Education program. These initiatives are designed to impart knowledge and develop technical skills for vocational students at both the BMW Group Thailand training center and the authorized dealers for BMW Service Apprentice program and at the BMW Group Manufacturing Thailand for the Dual Excellence Education program for the mechatronics training.
For more about how it all works on the ground, check out our video here:
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Education: an investment in the future
The BMW Group is committed to education because it’s an investment in the future. In these times of a fundamental shift in values and economic, technological and demographic change, we see it as part of our social responsibility to make sure no one is left behind and to advocate for equity, both across society and within our own organisation.
