News about VET from Germany

In the coming year, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research plans to invest more money in education and research. In 2013, approximately 1.85 billion Euro are to be allocated for the promotion of teaching and studying.

Over the course of the next few years, Rainer Stickelberger (SPD), Justice Minister of the Federal State of Baden-Württemberg, intends to improve the occupational opportunities for prison inmates.

At present, the continuing education industry does not feel the effects of the weak economic situation.

A new Cedefop study opens a discussion on international qualifications: what they are, how they are managed, and how they may affect national qualifications and standards as well as the common EU tools for vocational education and training.

Annually published by the OECD, "Education at a Glance" provides an international perspective on questions of educational policy. The results offer guidance in evaluating the development of Germany's education system and in the further development reform strategies.

German Ambassador Michael Steiner introduced Germany's dual system of vocational training at the inaugural session of FICCI's Global Skills Summit on Thursday, 6th September, 2012.

The aim of the main funding focus "New routes into dual training - heterogeneity as an opportunity to secure the supply of skilled workers" is to develop and foster innovative pathways into training.

Bright prospects for graduates of dual courses of study: In a company survey conducted by the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB), 45 per cent of the enterprises indicated they would hire all dual system students in their firms once they had completed their studies.

The improvement of vocational education and training is given a high political priority in the USA. German enterprises that offer training courses oriented on the German system together with US educational establishments are highly appreciated by the US administration.