Thank you very much. It's a pleasure to have this exchange with you. We hope the technical conditions will enable us to have a good exchange. Please signal if you are experiencing any communication problems.
If I may, I would like to make the introductions. I am responsible for the department. I am the deputy director-general. We are responsible for all countries outside of Europe, including training in science and research.
With me is Mrs. Christiana Tings, who is responsible for international cooperation in education and training. Also here is Mr. Barske, who is an expert in co-ops and education. He works for an agency that works for us. We also have with us Mrs. Verfürth, who is an expert at the German Institute for Vocational Education and Training. She focuses on the Americas and India. Mrs. Verfürth is part of the German institute that looks after research in the area of training. She does scrutiny of regulations and she looks at international standards and international cooperation.
Today we'll be talking about progress made in occupational training in Germany, unless you, Mr. Chair, would like to first of all give us some information on the Canadian system and point out any areas in which you have a particular interest.