Download - EU-China Managers Exchange and Training Programme

METP welcomes new Team Members
D
r. Thomas Hart joined
the European Technical
Assistance Team (ETAT)
of METP in late 2009 as HR
D
r. Michael Mechthold-Jin
also joined ETAT in 2009 as
Capacity Building Co-ordinator.
Michael has been working as a training
Development Expert. Thomas is expert with international organisations
consultant for EU-China economic all over China for more than 10 years.
and policy cooperation with a focus His main responsibility in METP is
on communications and media policy organising capacity building activities
and has worked with numerous EU for UIBE, the university that conducts
and Chinese government and private stakeholders. For the the language training for all European METP participants.
METP, he is primarily developing training modules, but also Michael also implements ETAT’s internal evaluation
monitors participants’ work placements.
programme.
METP round table in the EU capital Brussels:
Turning challenges into opportunities for
EU companies in China
O
n 27 October 2009 a round table event in Brussels
brought together EU policy-makers, METP managers
and participants, as well as business associations and
journalists to mark the extension of the programme and the
launch of its fifth call for applications.
METP team leader Stefan Hell was the key speaker at the
event. He was joined on the
panel by Franz Jessen, Head of
Unit for China at the European
Commission; Frédéric Poncin,
a Belgian METP 3 graduate;
Luc Hendrickx of the European
SME association UEAPME;
and Philippe Le Corre, EU-
China expert with Publicis
Consultants, who moderated
the discussion.
The speakers presented
their insights into the needs of European companies for
doing business with China with special reference to the role
of the METP in bridging the gaps in language, culture and
understanding of the local business environment. Mr. Jessen
welcomed the extension of the programme for a fifth intake.
“This programme creates a powerful example for others to
follow. It is built on years of experience and the participants
have been overwhelmingly satisfied – they feel like they
have been put on a new and better career track.”
Dr. Stefan Hell introduced the programme as a joint
European-Chinese investment in human resources and
explained how training is organised for both EU and Chinese
participants. “The concept of METP is based on the conviction
that a ten-month programme with language courses,
intercultural training, internships and company visits creates
the foundation for long-term
success in one of the world’s
most dynamic economies”,
said Dr. Hell. “Perhaps best of
all, METP is not limited to a
specific industry, so managers
from all sectors can apply and
use METP as a springboard
for their particular business
plans.”
Frédéric Poncin, who
graduated from METP in
August this year shared insights and images from his time in
China with much enthusiasm. He emphasised the on-the-ground
experience that METP provides. “There is a huge gap between
theory and practice in an area like this – you really have to live
it. METP is your survival kit.”
During the discussion that followed it was revealed that
good business plans and strong motivation for learning are
key to succeed in the selection for METP as well as for doing
business with China.
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