topic Education

Vocational Training in Germany

Training means investing in the future. In the coming years there will be fewer young people applying for training positions as a result of demographic change. It is essential to secure the young staff of tomorrow today, so that we can meet the needs of the growing economy. With the support of the Federal Government, Germany's dual system of vocational training provides young people with good career prospects while securing skilled labour for industry.

Dual system

Anyone learning a trade in Germany usually does so under the dual system of vocational education and training. The system is called 'dual' because vocational training takes place both in the company and in part-time vocational school. The company provides the apprentice mostly with practical training. Part-time vocational school supplements company-based training through theoretical instruction. The system is based on statutory training regulations and on the range of traditional, updated, and newly emerging training occupations.

Vocational training law

There are currently about 360 state-recognized training occupations in Germany. They are updated regularly and adapted to economic, technical, technological changes. The content of state-recognized training occupations is governed by specific training regulations. These training regulations are the legal basis for the practical implementation of company-based vocational training.

Easing the burden

The Federal Government has eased the bureaucratic burden on entrepreneurs. Passing the instructor aptitude examination administered by the chambers of industry and commerce is no longer a binding prerequisite for offering training. This particularly benefits small and new businesses, which will now be able to start offering training without prior investment of time and money.

We are also providing specific financial incentives. Under the Capital for Work programme, SMEs can apply for low-interest loans whenever they recruit additional apprentices. With this year's training campaign, we must again succeed in offering apprenticeships to all young people who are able and willing to enter a training programme.

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  topic Education

  Regulation of Vocational Education and Training

  A standardized and comprehensive system of education and vocational training is a major reason for Germany's economic strength. Young people and companies can expect that their efforts in the field of education are part of a system which ensures access, quality, mobility, and capacity for innovation. This system is governed by the amended Vocational Training Act (BBiG), which also establishes the basis for further training at a high quality and nationally consistent level. Standardized requirements and examination rules ensure both the high qualification of employees and the economic success of businesses.
  more (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/6535.php)
   
  
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  topic Education

  Reform of Vocational Education and Training

  The Vocational Training Reform Act came into force on 1 April 2005. It has the objective of maintaining and improving training opportunities and ensuring that all young people receive high-quality vocational training - irrespective of their social or regional background.
  more (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/1644.php)
   
  
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  topic Education

  JOBSTARTER: Funding programme for more traineeships

  The Federal Ministry of Education and Research is supporting the development of a training structure through its JOBSTARTER programme. This programme is already supplying funding for 200 innovative projects in vocational training. A further 43 projects are due to be launched in 2009. All these projects are helping to create additional traineeships in the regions and are offering various measures to support companies which either have no previous experience with training or which have grown weary of providing training. They are making an important contribution to structural development, for example by establishing cross-border training cooperation or launching collaborative training schemes. An additional focus is on projects which test new opportunities under the Vocational Training Act (BBiG).
  more (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/2313.php)
   
  

• topic Education

  Funding intercompany training centres

  The BMBF is funding intercompany training centres to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to provide training in a recognized training occupation. Solutions to training problems which cannot be solved by individual SMEs can, after all, be found at intercompany level. Furthermore, intercompany training centres can develop into competence centres.
  more (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/586.php)
   
  
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  topic Education

  Recognized Training Occupations

  All in all, there are about 350 state recognized training occupations. The period of training in these occupations is usually two or three years. About 60% of the young people take up dual vocational education and training which is concluded by a state examination.
  more (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/550.php)
   
  

• topic Ministry

  Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB)

  The Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) is a national and international centre of excellence for research on initial and continuing vocational education and training (VET) and the progressive development of VET. Its research, development and advisory work is aimed at identifying future tasks of vocational education and training, promoting innovation in national and international vocational education and training and developing new, practice-oriented solutions for initial and continuing vocational education and training.
  more (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/2239.php)