1. Vocational Education and Training in Germany
Dual VET
Messages
Presentation is to provide a first impression of how Dual VET in Germany works
Focus of presentation is on:
Dual VET (not other forms of VET which also exist in Germany)
Dual VET IN Germany (not Dual Vet in Austria, or in Switzerland)
Initial TVET (not further VET)
Vocational Education and Training in Germany

2. Benefits and current challenges
Contents
Overview
How Dual VET works
Benefits and current challenges
Conditions: why Dual VET works in Germany
The bottom line: 5 Quality Features of VET
Further information
Key

3. I. Overview – Dual VET: a common path to employment
Labour Market
Full-time Vocational Schools
Dual VET System
years
years
years
Higher Education
Messages
A large number of people choose Dual VET to gain enter the labor market
Dual VET provides one possible track in the vocational training system of Germany, not the only one
Dual VET leads to employment earlier than higher education
Access from Dual VET to Higher Education is possible but not shown in this slide (Dual VET in Germany no Dead-end)
school years
General Education

4. I. Overview – Dual VET facts and figures
Trainees
Employers
Government
On average 52.4% of the population enters Dual VET, 41.9% graduate from Dual VET
1.3m trainees in 326 recognised training occupations
5.1% of all employees are trainees
High employment security (95% of Dual VET graduates employed; only 80% employed among people who are untrained)
Receive average training allowance of about € 854 per month
428,000 out of a total 2.1m companies provide training (20.0%)
Train more than 500,000 new trainees every year
Hire 68% of Dual VET trainees as temporary or permanent employees after training
Employers invest on average €18,000 per apprentice per year (62% of which is training allowance)
70% of investment is refinanced by the productive contribution of trainees during the training period
Shares expenses for VET system with employers
Public expenditure for Dual VET: € 4.75bn
€2.9bn for 1,550 public vocational schools providing part-time VET
€1.85bn for steering, monitoring and further supporting measures
Employers contribute €7.7bn (= overall net cost of Dual VET; gross cost = € 25.6bn)
Message
Slide provides impression about current „performance“ of Dual VET in Germany
Each stakeholder invests something but also gains something from Dual VET
55.7 % of an age cohort enters Dual VET, irrespective of the age in which Dual VET is started
National Economy / Society
Strong SME competitiveness on international markets
Relatively low youth unemployment in Germany (7.2%)
Contributes to
Sources:
BIBB Data Report (2017),
Federal Statistical Office

5. II. How Dual VET works Motivation for Dual VET engagement
Training contract
Two coordinated learning venues
Independent examinations
The key to a professional career
Stakeholders monitor, supervise and support
Dual VET standards based on requirements of world of work
Comprehensive legal framework
Message
Overview over storyline of how Dual VET works

6. 1. Motivation for Dual VET engagement
Young people
"I want to work in a skilled occupation."
"I want to earn money."
"I want to learn something practical."
"I want further qualification."
Seek and find a training place
"I want to attend upper secondary education."
Look for information on local employers providing VET
Search for a training place offer
Apply for training places at companies
Select a company
Messages
Slide shows motivations of young people (the why) for choosing Dual VET and how they search for a training place
Young people early on get to know and navigate a „labor market environment“ when seeking a training place
"I want to become a …"
(e.g. Mechatronics Fitter)

7. 1. Motivation for Dual VET engagement
Employer
"I want employees who can competently fulfil the tasks and duties needed in my company, both now and in the future."
"I want workers to be loyal to my company."
"I want the productive and innovative contribution of trainees."
"I want to save job familiarisation
and retraining costs."
Seek and find a trainee
"I have a social responsibility to offer training."
Messages
Show motivations of enterprises (the why) for training in Dual VET and how they search for a trainee
Companies offer VET training places based on their own demand/desire and they have maximum freedom to choose whom to train
At the same time, in order to be allowed to train, they need to be officially tested and certified to train (become a „training company“)
Obtain certification to provide training
Offer training place(s)
Asses applications of trainees
Select young person for VET
"I want to provide training."

8. 1. Motivation for Dual VET engagement
Government
"Government budgets for VET provision are limited."
"For national economic growth and development, highly skilled workers are needed."
Supporting measures
Set up legal framework to regulate Dual VET
Delegate authority to stakeholders (chamber organisations, employers, labour unions, government institutions)
Open access to Dual VET for all, regardless of prior qualification
Include Dual VET in compulsory secondary education
Provide part of Dual VET in public vocational schools
Ensure access of Dual VET graduates to higher education
Monitor and develop Dual VET based on institutionalised VET research (BIBB)
"All young people need secon-dary education so that they can
achieve the full potential as
citizens."
Messages
Slide show motivations of the government (the why) for supporting training in Dual VET and some measures for doing so
Government in Germany is providing formal conditions for Dual VET
In this context, the Government provides legal framework for both company and young person to enter, implement and complete VET together (training contracts, etc.)
"Young people need to be ready
for the labour market of today and tomorrow so that they
can find employment."
"We need to strengthen and regulate Dual VET."

9. 2. Training contract Starting point for Dual VET
Similar to a work contract
Legal basis for in-company training in Dual VET
Provided and registered by chamber organisations
Regulates:
Duration of training
Beginning and end of training
Probation time
Vacations
Content of training
Training allowance
Termination of contract
Signing a training contract establishes a formal training relationship between the company and the trainee
Messages
Slide provides overview over content and significance of training contract for Dual VET
The training contract institutionalizes that education in Dual VET is in principle following actual demand and agreement of employers and trainees
The training contract is very similar to a work contract, hence acquainting trainees with the formal arrangements of work relationships
Start of work-based learning in Dual VET

10. 3. Two coordinated learning venues
2 coordinated learning venues ("Dual") for each VET programme
70% of VET in company
30% of VET in vocational school
In-company training
Legal basis: training contract
Company pays trainee a "training allowance"
Company provides systematic training under real-life working conditions (in-company trainer, up-to-date equipment, etc.)
Vocational school education
Legal basis: compulsory education law
Local government finances public vocational schools (facilities, teachers, etc.)
Vocational schools offer lessons in vocational (2/3) and general education (1/3) subjects free of charge
Messages
Slide provides overview over the 2 learning venues of Dual VET an
Dual VET is defined in principle by VET taking place in a coordinated manner in the 2 learning venues company and school
Dual VET is work-based because it is implemented for the most part in the company and requires trainees to take on „real“duties and tasks of the workplace
Dual VET is based on the principle of strong involvement of the business community, because „companies know best which competencies they need/demand“. One example for this is the large share of in-company training itself (70 %). Through strong company involvement in Dual VET in Germany, companies find the VET graduates with the competencies which closely meet their needs.
Dual VET in the company at the same time is closely regulated by government and implemented by in-company instructors
Approx. duration of Dual VET: 2 – 3.5 years

11. 3. Two coordinated learning venues
Dual VET training plan for a given occupation (example)
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
In-company training
Based on in-company training standards (minimum standards) defined in "training regulations"
Step by step, trainees take over duties and tasks in the workplace, and in the process contribute to production
Vocational school education
Based on vocational education standards defined in the framework curriculum for vocational subjects (2/3)
Based on framework curriculum for general school subjects (1/3)
Classroom-based learning
Messages
Slide shows basic framework for content delivered in both in-company as well as vocational school education in the frame of Dual VET
Training plan often also: in-company VET from Monday until Thursday with only Friday VET in school
possibility of providing Dual VET also en bloc (3 weeks in-company VET, 1 week VET in the school) especially in occupations with few trainees or where working times of company are difficult to reconcile with schooling
In-company VET and vocational school education may instead also take place provided each in separate long-term blocks.

12. 4. Independent Examination
Multi-stakeholder examination board
Dual VET certificate
Issued by chamber organisations
Nationally recognised by government
Final examination
Organised by chamber organisations
Examination board
Composed of representatives of:
Employers
Employees
Vocational school teachers (government)
In general does not include those who trained the trainee
Assesses and grades trainee
Messages
Slide shows how independent examination works in dual VET
one cornerstone of quality provided in Dual VET system: examination is independent from provision of VET (teacher and trainer of trainee does normally not assess him/her)
in examination board represented are all relevant implementing stakeholders of both vocational practise and vocational theory
when training contract ends, no legal obligation for employer to further employ trainee
Training contract ends Professional career begins

13. 5. The key to a professional career
Labour Market
Dual VET: key to many opportunities
Employment contract
signed with company which provided training
Dual VET
Employment contract
signed with new company in same
occupational field anywhere in Germany
Employment in different occupational field anywhere
in Germany
Messages
Show how dual VET qualification opens up a range of professional opportunities for graduate
Young people with Dual training certificate many opportunities on the labour market
Success factor: certificates of chamber is the relevant VET certificate nationally recognized and basis for further employment or further continuing education (with the certificate the graduate can find work anywhere in Germany, any employer will recognize it)
Further Education
Initial tertiary education anywhere in Germany
Further vocational education anywhere in Germany

14. 6. Stakeholders monitor, supervise and support
Business community, social partners and government are all involved in Dual VET
Chamber organisations
Advise companies on VET
Train in-company trainers
Assess and certify companies and trainers for in-company training provision
Monitor in-company training (facilities, instructors, etc.)
Support companies in finding trainees
Register training contracts
Organise interim and final exams
Mediate disputes between trainees and companies
Organise events
Government
Finances, supervises and monitors public vocational school system
Federal government conducts institutionalised VET research (BIBB)
Organises the (continuous) develop-ment of Dual VET standards
Provides support to the unem-ployed and disadvantaged to enter Dual VET
Provides support for disabled people to enter Dual VET
Provides vocational orientation
Raises awareness aboutDual VET
Social partners
Labour unions and employer associations negotiate training allowances for trainees
Works councils monitor in-company training
Are involved in the development of in-company training standards
Are part of the examination boards
Messages
Slide shows who supports Dual VET how (which are the key stakeholders)
Key roles of chambers, social partners and government in actively supporting and shaping the Dual VET system
Stakeholders (and expecially the chambers) are the „guardians of quality“ of VET provided in Dual VET System (quality assurance)

15. 7. Dual VET standards based on requirements of world of work
Impetuses for updating/development of national Dual VET standards by the economy
Duration: max. 1 year
Employers identify new areas of tasks at the workplace requiring new occupational qualifications
Social partners and government negotiate
and adopt new standards for in-company training (training regulations) under the guidance of the BIBB =
Dual VET standards guide delivery, monitoring, supervision and support of Dual VET nationwide
Dual VET standards
Messages
show how VET standards guiding Dual VET delivery in company and school are developed in a coordinated manner
VET standards are developed jointly (with strong involvement of industry and labour unions) and therefore close to the demand (social and economic) as well as accepted by all
In general, the impulse for updating/changing/developing occupations and the respective Dual VET standards comes from companies
Through this highly formalized process, a continuous cycle of demand, updating/development and implementation is maintained, which keeps Dual VET standards close to the world of work
Development/updating of education standards for vocational schools (framework curricula) in coordination with in-company training standards (training regulations)

16. 7. Dual VET standards based on requirements of world of work
Demand-driven Dual VET standards guiding VET delivery in both learning venues
Occupation ("Beruf")
In-company training standard ("training regulations") includes
Vocational education standard ("framework curriculum") includes
Messages
Dual VET standards for each occupation are composed of standards guiding VET delivery in both learning venues
Dual VET standards formalize an already accomplished agreement among all relevant stakeholders on the standards which should guide Dual VET, hence are not simply imposed from above, but, when finally promulgated, are already accepted by those who implement and monitor these standards (most importantly, by the business community)
Set of competencies for occupation to be trained (occupational profile / standard)
How a company must teach this occupation, as minimum requirements (training standard)
What a trainee needs to know in order to pass the exam (examination standard)
Learning objectives and content (structured in “learning fields”) which form the basis for the schooling in vocational subjects in the vocational school
Vocational subjects provide the vocational theory needed for working in a given occupation
coordinated

17. 8. Comprehensive legal framework
All aspects of Dual VET framed by system of laws
Vocational Training Act
E. g.
Protection of Young People at Work Act
Trade and Crafts Code
Collective Agreements Act
Act on the Provisional Settlement of the Regu-lations Governing the Chambers of Industry and Commerce
E. g.
Compulsory education law
Regional school laws
Joint agreement on coordination of training regulations and framework curricula
Messages
Slide shows the legal framework of Dual VET
The Vocational Training Act makes the core legal provisions for Dual VET
However, there are also other Laws which regulate aspects of Dual VET, and which are to some extent coordinated and hence complementary with the Vocational Training Act
Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany - Article 12 [Occupational freedom]
(1) All Germans shall have the right freely to choose their occupation or profession, their place of work and their place of training. The practice of an occupation or profession may be regulated by or pursuant to a law
Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany - Article 12 [Freedom of occupational choice]

18. Summary – How Dual VET works
A training contract is signed
Learning within the work process and independent examination
Stakeholders support and assure quality
of Dual VET based on consensus
Messages
Summary and main messages =
Dual VET standards are national, up-to-date and demand-driven
Dual VET is embedded in a legal framework
Vocational Training Act

19. Summary – Dual VET: two worlds under one roof
World of Work
World of Education
Occupation
Company
"Dual" = 2 learning venues
Public vocational school
Employer
Trainee
Chamber organisations and social partners
Messages
Summary of stakeholders and their linkages adding up to the „House of Dual VET“
The Dual VET system manages to bring the worlds (work and education) under one roof and through this has proven again and again its capacity for modernizing itself according to the demands of economy and society
The central actors of Dual VET are employer and trainee
Government and industry share a role in VET delivery
Government, chambers and social partners provide the foundation for Dual VET
Government (federal and state)
Define, supervise and monitor content of in-company training based on consensus
Provides legal framework, VET research and resources for school-based VET, delegates
authority to social partners and chambers

20. III. Benefits of Dual VET
Trainees
Gain occupational proficiency necessary for employment opportunities and gainful income
Earn training allowance during training
Learn in real and state-of-the-art work environment (machinery, work processes)
Learn how to identify with company and occupation
Become capable and certified to access different occupational and educational opportunities
Employers
Gain highly competent employees meeting the needs of the company (versus hiring externally)
Improve productivity as well as quality of services and products
Save recruitment and retraining costs
Realise high return on investment in the long run
Participate in defining company-based training content and development of standards
Supports corporate social responsibility (CSR)
Government
Reaps political rewards of positive economic and social impact of Dual VET
Meets national labour market demand for qualified labour with contribution of employers (training)
Has VET system highly capable of modernizing itself (in line with technological change)
Able to efficiently steer VET system and assure its quality
Strengthens formalisation of economy by regulating in-company training
Gains early indications of labour market demand/supply
Messages
Slide summarizes what each of the stakeholders gains from Dual VET
There is a „Triple Win“ of Dual VET
Companies significantly benefit both in short and long-term
Matching of training market with labor market through Dual VET avoids some potential social and economic costs of labor market mismatch
Contributes to
National Economy / Society
Economic performance and competitiveness
Labour-market matching (employers / employees)
Social and economic integration of young people (inclusiveness)

21. III. Current challenges for Dual VET
Trainees
Finding a Dual VET training place: number of unplaced applicants for Dual VET (2012: 15,600, 2016: 20,600); number of companies (esp. SME) providing Dual VET decreasing from 24 % (2009) to 20.0 % (2015)
Increasing demands at the workplace / learning venue (foreign languages, etc.)
Improving life-long learning opportunities in Dual VET (especially for older applicants)
Gaining access to Dual VET and work through informally acquired competencies
Employers
Finding young people for Dual VET: number of vacant training places rising from 2009: 17,300 to 2014: 37,100, and to 2016: 43,500
Finding competent trainees for Dual VET who have the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary for entering Dual VET ("trainability")
Including disabled people
Including large number of migrants since 2015
Government
Dealing with expected shortage of skilled workers
Dealing with the decrease in the supply of young people for the labour market caused by demographic change
Countering the trend of more and more young people choosing university over Dual VET
Dealing with strong regional disparity with regard to Dual VET training place demand and supply
Including disabled people
Including large number of migrants
Messages
Slide summarizes current challenges for Dual VET in Germany
The Dual VET system faces a number of challenges
Dual VET in Germany may also benefit by learning from the experiences of other countries with VET to deal with these challenges
A strength of the Dual VET system is also displayed in the fact, that through institutional research and monitoring challenges and problems are known very early on, providing politics with evidence for required action.
National Economy / Society
Many people have difficulty entering Dual VET and hence the labour market and gainful employment
Difficulty meeting demand of employers for skilled workers
Contributes to
Sources:
BIBB Data Report (2017),
Federal Statistical Office

22. IV. Conditions: Why Dual VET works in Germany
Long-standing history of Dual VET
Highly developed economic structure translates into high demand for skilled employees on labour market
Strong small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Interest, commitment and capability of companies to train
Strong and competent representation of employer and employee interests (chamber organisations/labour unions)
Broad-based acceptance of VET standards through strong involvement of social partners in VET and culture of cooperative engagement
Strong regulatory capacity of government
Competent VET teachers and trainers
General education system makes young people ready for VET
Messages
Slide shows under which auxiliary structural conditions Dual VET operates in Germany
Without these structural conditions in place, Dual VET would not work in the same way
A wholesale transfer of German Dual VET to other countries where these conditions are not in place therefore is not possible

23. V. The bottom line: 5 Quality Features of VET
Cooperation of government, business community and social partners
E.g. examination board, VET standards
Learning within the work process
E.g. in-company training = 70 %
Acceptance of national standards
E.g. Dual VET standards, chamber certificate
Qualified VET staff
E.g. competent trainers and VET teachers
Institutionalised research and advice
E.g. BIBB National TVET Report, VET standards
Messages
The 5 quality features are derived from the experiences of Dual VET in Germany and define general key characteristics a demand-oriented VET system should have
The 5 quality features may also provide some guidance toward which elements of the Dual VET could be utilized for strengthening quality of VET in other countries

24. VI. Further Sources Facts and figures Web resources
BIBB TVET Report 2014 (link)
GOVET
Federal Statistical Office (link)
BMBF
BMBF Data Portal (link)
BIBB
Dual VET standards
Contact for further questions
BIBB Brochure: Vocational Training Regulations and the Process Behind Them (link)
Example: training regulation and framework curriculum for Mechatronics Fitter (BIBB) (link)
Legal documents
Vocational Training Act (link)
Works Constitution Act (link)
Message
Slide provides resources in case of further requests for information

25. VII. Key Chamber organisations Blue World of Work
Red
Chamber organisations
Social Partners (labour unions and employer associations)
Government (federal and state)
Stakeholder support
Stakeholder monitoring
VET research
Dual VET standards
World of Work
World of Education
Youth / Trainee
Employer
In-company trainer
VET school teacher
Dual VET examination board
Dual VET certificate

26. The one-stop shop for international
Vocational Education and Training Cooperation
The one-stop shop for international
Vocational Education and Training Cooperation
GOVET – German Office for international
Cooperation in VET at BIBB
Robert Schuman-Platz 3
D Bonn