Increasing demand - German Bundestag to focus on internationalising vocational education and training

The German Bundestag has decided on a national benchmark for internationalising the vocational education and training system. In 2020, a minimum of 10 per cent of apprentices are to gain work experience abroad during their apprenticeship term. At present, some 30,000 young people each year are able to realise a visit abroad in the context of their first vocational education and training course. This corresponds to approximately 4 per cent of the total number of apprentices in one year.

In 2012, the largest European programme for vocational education and training, LEONARDO DA VINCI, alone sponsored already more than 14,300 scholarships, twice the number of the year 2007. The benchmark of 10 per cent by the year 2020 as passed by the German Bundestag seems ambitious, yet given the rapid development over the previous years and the broad consent amongst the federal government, the federal states and partnering social institutions, this goal can be achieved – provided the partners continue to pool their strengths.

According to a recommendation by the European Council, a minimum of 6 per cent of vocational education and training graduates in Europe are to have gained work experience abroad in 2020. Given the mobilisation rate of currently 4 per cent, this goal is deemed not ambitious enough with regards to Germany.

The demand for work experience abroad continues to significantly increase. In 2013, the LEONARDO DA VINCI mobility scheme again registered a rise of 13 per cent more applications for apprenticeship scholarships compared to the previous year. Likewise, apprenticeship training supervisors and vocational college teachers increasingly endeavour to obtain international qualifications. Demand in this category of the LEONARDO DA VINCI mobility scheme rose by 12 per cent.

The marked increase in application submissions, that is participant numbers in the current round of applications 2013, is illustrated by 720 submitted project applications. Fortunately, the budget, too, increases to reflect the growing interest. In 2013, some 33 million Euro are available to be allocated to mobility projects.