Lifelong learning more and more important

Demographic change, the threat of skilled labour shortage and prolongation of working lifetime: vocational education becomes more and more important. Already, professional development training is increasingly an alternative to university entrance qualification and university degree courses.

According to media reports, Friedrich Hubert Esser, President of the German Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB), assumes that the next ten years will develop into a "decade of advanced vocational training" in Germany. "The importance of advanced vocational training will continue to increase", explained the BIBB President. He said that the reasons for this are demographic change, the threat of skilled labour shortage and the prolongation of the working lifetime.

In Esser's opinion, the education expansion amongst the young generation, that can be observed since a few years ago, must under no circumstances sidetrack vocational education and training: "In future, the dual vocational education and training system and professional development training ought to be advertised much more intensively as an integrated model and a career that is equal to university entrance qualification and university degree course."

At the same time, the incorporation of vocational education and training, in particular of advanced vocational training, with university education should be further promoted. "With the joint allocation of the master craftsman and bachelor degrees at level 6 of the German Qualifications Framework, the vocational continuing education qualifications in particular have profited from a major boost in attractiveness", emphasised Professor Esser. Simultaneously, this illustrates the high degree of quality of vocational continuing education and advanced training qualifications.

The expert acknowledged the significance of vocational advanced training for Germany as a site for industry and business. It moreover provides people with perspectives and new opportunities: "With the help of advanced vocational training, many skilled workers keep themselves up-to-date. They ensure their employability and, by obtaining advanced qualifications, they create the requirements for their professional advancement. In doing so, they decisively contribute to maintaining the German economy's innovation power and competitive capability."

However, the by far greater part of continuing education courses take place in the context of advanced training for job adjustment, said the BIBB President. These courses are predominantly geared towards keeping up-to-date in one's given profession. Esser: "Here we need to change our way of thinking. What is needed are long-term and qualification-oriented continuing education courses – especially also for those who have no professional qualification."