News about VET from Germany

On 1 April 2013, the Federal Government Recognition Act has been in force for a year. Against the background of the objectives of the Act and the experiences gained from the implementation and application of the new law, the specialist ministry responsible believes that the initial conclusions which can be drawn are positive.

A record at German universities: some 2.5 million students currently are enrolled. At the same time, current data shows that an increasing number of pupils graduating with a university entrance qualification decide against going to university and choose an apprenticeship instead.

Roofing apprentice from Monreal, Federal State of Rhineland-Palatinate, elected "Miss Crafts 2013"

Those taking the sentence about lifelong learning to heart are open for additional qualifications in their professional career. Additional knowledge can be acquired also without a study course either during or after an apprenticeship.

The online welcome portal for international qualified persons, www.make-it-in-germany.com, has passed the mark of one million visitors. More than 80 per cent of visitors to the portal accessed it from abroad.

Here, the most elegant welded seams and the most precise clearance count: the world championship of professional skills will take place in Leipzig from July 2-7, 2013.

Vocational education and training must be strengthened also in relation to academic education.

Girls train to become hairdressers, boys to become automotive mechatronics engineers: watering down such role allocations, that is the aim of the Girls' Day and, by now, also of the Boys' Day. Once a year, these "Future Days" provide pupils in fifth grade or above the opportunity to get a taste of uncharacteristic occupations – this year on the 25th of April.

A report by the business consultancy McKinsey has compared the vocational education systems in an international study and awards best marks to the German system.