News about VET from Germany

Increasing numbers of young people are training in a skilled crafts business. 135,038 new training contracts were concluded this year. According to information from the Central Association of Skilled Crafts (ZDH), in the current year almost 4,000 more young people than in the previous year started their training in the skilled crafts.

In the Chiemgau Alps, the Bavarian State Forest teaches how to fell timber in a sustainable way. Despite modern tools, forestry occupations are still risky.

Dual training occupation: Direct entry for school leavers possible from 2018.

The terms efficiency and investment have been heard for many years whenever economists discuss competitiveness. A global study has now shifted the focus onto an entirely different theme.

Skill and a sense of fashion are the requirements for training as a footwear maker and finisher. There was a time when the job was in crisis - too many companies were going abroad. Today the sector is certainly not big. However, once again, there is a desperate need for footwear makers and finishers.

The Michelin tyre plant in Karlsruhe was a pioneer in cross-border training between Germany and France. This was where the first trainee from France began his vocational education and training under the dual system. Anne Schalk is training manager at Michelin and her overall assessment after four years is very positive. As a result, this year - for the first time - there are twice as many trainees from France than from Germany starting their training at the Karlsruhe plant.

A shortage of skilled workers is the problem in many places. The skilled crafts are also not immune from this. However, this year the domestic skilled construction trades can again be pleased about substantial reinforcements. As part of the traditional skilled craftsman graduation event, 35 successful trainees from the construction occupations received their sought-after journeyman's certificate.

For years the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has ignored vocational education and training and demanded more students. As a consequence there are more students today than trainees. The organisation is now changing its opinion.

An English translation of the Report on the Recognition Act (2017) is now available. In addition to a detailed overview of 5 years of monitoring implementation of the Federal Government's Recognition Act, this report also includes an outline of the findings from the evaluation of the act. This highlights the positive effect of the Recognition Act.