Promoting skilled labour career advancement

The number of professionals wishing to advance their career by using the "Master BAföG (Federal Education and Trainings Assistance Act)" funding tool has increased in 2013 for the sixth year in succession to now 171,000, according to the German Federal Statistical Office.

The approved funding totalled 576 million Euro in 2013. This is 5.5 per cent more than in the previous year. The education policy spokesman for the CDU/CSU parliamentary group at the German Bundestag, Albert Rupprecht, and the responsible correspondent, Dr Thomas Feist, commented on the topic.

Albert Rupprecht: "Academic and vocational education is of equal importance to us. This is why we support not only BAföG, but also the Master BAföG. We want to promote careers in the vocational education and training system just as much as in the academic system. It is gratifying that more and more young professionals – including also increasing numbers of women - make use of the Master BAföG for their career advancement. This is what we build upon. As was agreed in the coalition agreement, we will further improve funding for the Master BAföG and extend the funding opportunities."

Dr Thomas Feist: "The Union's parliamentary group stands for the equality of academic and vocational education. We therefore want to open up access to the Master BAföG also for bachelor graduates. Of course, we are of the opinion that support for professionals in the field of vocational education and training must not lag behind the developments regarding the BAföG. Only this will ensure equally good career opportunities in both the vocational and academic sectors."