Burcu Sicilia, works council member at VW in Wolfsburg “Education is the key”

“Why am I committed to education at the company? Somehow, it runs in the family. Both of my siblings are teachers. We enjoy passing on knowledge to others. The need for this is greater than ever. Keyword: industrial transformation. In the past, education meant primarily vocational training. Today, we’re also heavily focused on continuing education.

When it comes to vocational training, we have to constantly adapt the curriculum to ensure it remains relevant for the future. The traditional metalworking trades aren’t going away—after all, even electric cars need a body. But our statistics show that, for example, the number of machining technicians is declining, while the number of mechatronics engineers and IT professionals is on the rise.

We’re currently driving an exciting project forward for all our colleagues: a digital learning platform called “degreed.” It’s somewhat reminiscent of Netflix and other consumer-facing platforms. There, you can put together customized learning content and then complete it.
 

Burcu Sicilia is active on VW’s General Works Council, advocating for quality training and continuing education. Photo: Matthias Leitzke

But even in the future, not everything will take place digitally on a screen. Anyone who prefers to sit in a seminar room and learn alongside real people should—and will—have that opportunity.

Education is the key to participating in our society. This applies not only to one’s career but to life in general. Every course, every training program helps you grow personally. Mastering things you’ve never done before or didn’t even know existed—that unleashes energy. And that’s true at any age.

My goals: to secure apprenticeship positions and guide all my colleagues safely through this transformation. That’s what I’m committed to. That’s why I’m a works council member.”