Equal status of academic and vocational education

According to the Minister of Labour, Integration and Social Affairs of North Rhine-Westphalia, "vocational and academic education are of equal value, this must become much clearer with regard to degrees."

Minister Schneider continues, "There is no time for jealousy when it comes to the value of academic and non-academic degrees. The equal status of both degrees is a step towards the optimal international positioning of the German educational system. Germany can only remain an attractive educational location if we emphasize the high quality of vocational education and training."

The basis for these assertions is a joint study by the University of Applied Sciences FOM Essen and the Research Institute for Crafts and Vocational Training at the University of Cologne. It states that vocational training and academic education are of equal value. The results of the survey made it clear that the relevant job market competencies of academics and vocationally trained professional are different, but their qualifications are in sum equal.

The minister stresses that the point of this study is not to start a competition between vocational and academic education, but it is important to show that both educational paths are valuable.