Germany and Portugal will increase their cooperation in the field of vocational education and training. In Berlin, Federal Education Minister Annette Schavan and her Portuguese colleague Nuno Crato have signed an agreement stipulating the exchange of apprentices and pupils. At the same time, education experts and responsible enterprise representatives from both countries are to regularly meet and exchange information. The aim of this close cooperation is to facilitate for young people the transition into their working life.
"The future of Europe depends on our ability to provide young people with good opportunities. The German vocational education and training system is a success model. We therefore are glad to be able to share our experience. Both our countries will profit from this German-Portuguese cooperation agreement", said Schavan.
The Portuguese Education Minister Nuno Crato said, "Our government is very much interested in the nationwide development of vocational education and training by way of a systematic and organised process. This is particularly important in a time of rising unemployment numbers, while at the same time we need technicians and other skilled workers to further develop our economy and increase our productivity. We want to find out how the German dual system works. Moreover, the cooperation agreement between our two countries will create new opportunities for our young people."
Large number of unemployed young people in Portugal
In Portugal, at present, there is a great interest in reforms in the field of vocational training and continuing education. This is due to the large number of young people currently unable to find employment. In September 2012, for instance, according to Eurostat, the European Union's statistical office, the number of under-25-year-olds without a job was at 35.1 per cent. By comparison, the youth unemployment rate in Germany is at 8.0 per cent.
So far in Portugal, vocational training for an occupation is not provided both by a vocational school and a company like it is in Germany, but for the most part by a school only.
During their stay in Germany, in order to gain insight into the dual vocational education and training system in Germany, the delegation from the Portuguese education ministry will visit a vocational school, an enterprise as well as an European vocational education and training project in Berlin.
Moreover, representatives from the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB), the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) and the Federation of German Trade Unions (DGB) provide information with regards to the peculiarities of the vocational education and training system and the role played by the chambers and social partners.
At present, the demand for the German dual system is high in many European countries. Recently, Schavan signed an agreement with the Spanish education minister Wert Ortega. Moreover, a German-Italian agreement is planned. In the field of vocational education and training, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) closely cooperates with a number of other countries within and outside of Europe.