Global downturn boosts METP enrolment

Perhaps bizarrely, perhaps completely understandably, a joint venture program between the EU and China, aimed at training senior staff, has enjoyed a renewed period of vitality, despite the prevailing doom that still over-shadows much of the world's economy.

Support for the program, the EU-China Managers Exchange and Training Program (METP) has never been higher. The fourth batch of trainees (METP 4) have now spent two months in China studying Mandarin, whilst their Chinese counterparts have spent the same period developing an understanding of life and business in Europe. At the time of press, applications for the fifth tranche of the exchange program (METP 5) are expected imminently.

Officially launched in July 2006, the METP is an international exchange program for next generation management staff aimed at building greater understanding between China and the West. The initial program resulted from a 2004 agreement between the European Commission and the Chinese government.

The program aims to train 450 managers - 50 percent from China and 50 percent from Europe - in five groups over the five years of the program's planned lifespan. The initiative, running from 2006 to 2011, is designed to allow its constituent members to become both proficient in the two respective languages and also develop a keen understanding of the different business cultures in two of the world's most vibrant regions.

The program has matured against a backdrop of China-EU relations continuing to strengthen, as cooperation between the two parties has deepened. This has established a solid foundation for future bilateral trade developments between the two regions.

Many now believe that the current world economic situation needs heightened levels of skillsets among its business professionals to successfully steer it through these difficult times. As the world's markets are now acknowledged to resemble nothing more than a global village, economic development is now seen as a truly international issue, requiring the support of individuals steeped in pan-global financial lore - the kind of individuals likely to graduate from the METP initiative.

The initiative is a timely one with China's investments in the EU growing exponentially as a number of established Chinese companies seek to open research and development centers in Europe or look to invest directly in production facilities in the region.

This situation is now creating a genuine need for both trading blocs to understand and embrace each other's business practices, resulting in a pressing need for more senior-level managers to be proficient in both languages and possess general cross-cultural empathy.

Why METP?

METP was initially developed as a response to the needs and interests of both trading parties and reflects an EU-wide commitment to support China's efforts in developing the skills of its managers, particularly those in key roles at SMEs and NGOs. In line with the pre-identified challenges resulting from the rapid pace of commercial development, the METP initiative is primarily geared towards developing European and Chinese business managers and leaders.

With guidance and support from China's Ministry of Commerce and the European Commission, the program aims to provide training and internship opportunities for language development skills, commercial understanding, business acumen and cultural empathy for managers from the public sector, the media and a number of non-governmental organizations across both regions.

The ultimate aim of the METP program is to contribute to China's reform process through the transfer of core business skills to a range of key players across the Chinese commercial sector. This coincides with a number of ambitious investment initiatives prioritized by several EU member countries aimed at building closer ties with the Chinese business community.

The ultimate goal of the program is to enhance the understanding of the Chinese business environment by EU managers and provide enhanced opportunities for co-operation.

Mutual exchange

Unlike standard MBA programs, the training in Europe will focus on delivering practical skills and networking opportunities rather than meeting esoteric academic goals.

This approach was reflected in the debutante batch of METP1 managers. Some 38 Chinese managers and 18 European managers were enrolled in the initiative as of August 2007. After a two-week intercultural training program and a pre-departure briefing, the Chinese managers participated in a seven-week management-training course and then began their internships in Europe.

METP 2 started in March 2008, after enrolment sessions in Beijing and Brussels in late November to mid-December 2007. Forty-three Chinese and 25 European managers were involved in the program and held their graduation ceremonies last October.

METP 3 began in October 2008 with 59 Chinese and 28 European participants.

The training of METP 4 started with total 104 participants from China and European countries in May 2009.

The program for the fifth training intake will begin next year with applications due at the end of this calendar year.

As part of the selection procedure for each tranche of candidates, independent European and Chinese experts reviewed all of the applications and shortlisted the most eligible candidates, who were then interviewed by a panel of EU and Chinese officials.

Those selected began their training with a joint two-week session for both European and Chinese internees who underwent an intensive intercultural training session in China.

Following the completion of this induction, European managers then spend seven months studying Chinese business language at UIBE, whilst attending seminars and workshops on cultural and business issues. They will then go on to have a three-month internship gaining work experience in a Chinese environment.

Their Chinese counterparts, meanwhile, will receive seven weeks of management training at one of Europe's leading business schools in the United Kingdom, France or Italy. They then begin a 7 to 21 week internships in a major European company and develop their understanding of Western business culture.

(China Daily 08/17/2009 page12)