Vocational education and training is not a cul-de-sac

On the current training figures, the career potential offered by the craft trades sector, opportunities for refugees, and the election promise to pay the course and examination fees of successful master craftsman candidates.

The indications are that around 140,000 young people commenced training in a craft trades occupation in 2017. These initial figures suggest that more young people may once again be opting to pursue an apprenticeship in our economic sector.

However, the current picture is merely a snapshot. We will not have the full information until the end of the year, but it may be the case that a small increase will be recorded. Nevertheless, many companies will continue to be unsuccessful in their attempts to recruit young people to train as skilled workers. Around 6,500 vacancies are currently registered with the apprenticeship exchanges operated by the Bavarian chambers of crafts and trades alone.

Those just beginning their training have exciting years ahead of them. Vocational education opens up a multitude of possible pathways. It is not a cul-de-sac, as some parents unfortunately still believe. Young people who go down this route may choose to complete a master craftsman qualification and start up or take over a business. They may also enter higher education if they feel they have to. These are just some of the options, albeit the most important ones. The craft trades sector is also striking out in new directions in a bid to tap into additional areas of potential. Some of those now embarking upon working life will choose to combine this step with the vocational upper secondary certificate.

Another highly interesting question will be how many young refugees are amongst those starting training. Regardless of the actual number that emerges, however, one thing which is certain is that this is an area of potential that has not been fully exploited by any means. Firstly, companies wishing to give a chance to this group of people are being deterred by the confusing provisions of immigration law. Secondly, young refugees are more likely to aspire to assistant positions rather than to full training because of the perception that the former will bring them money more quickly.

A constant object of debate is whether dual vocational education and training in its usual form is suitable for refugees at all. Partial qualification and competence assessment and recognition are alternatives in this regard. It is, however, important to warn against such options. Full dual training is the only way of mastering every aspect of an occupation. Young refugees simply need to be provided with comprehensive preparation, particularly with regard to learning German.

It comes as no surprise that political parties tend to discover vocational education and training during election campaign periods. One favourite promise is that master craftsmen should be treated in a similar way to higher education students and should not have to pay course and examination fees any longer. There is no doubt that this is quite right, if only clear information were to be given on who should pay for what and in which form. Just over 21,000 master craftsman examinations were passed in the craft trades sector in 2016. If all these costs were to be refunded in full, we would quickly arrive at a figure of around €200 million.