Exchange within vocational training

The Israeli Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labour (MOITAL) and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) have been co-operating in the field of vocational education and training for 45 years. In addition to the exchange of experts, research projects and political talks, the young generation now increasingly becomes the focus of attention in this partnership. Since 2012, the "German-Israeli Programme for Co-operation in Vocational Education and Training" provides additional exchanges between German and Israeli apprentices.

"14 young people each from both countries visit the partnering country and complete three-week specialised internships at companies and other institutions", explains Dr Monique Nijsten, who heads the Israel programme at the Nationale Agentur Bildung für Europa at the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (NA-BIBB – National Agency Education for Europe).

"The aim here is not only to gain practical experience, but also to experience a different culture. The professional and intercultural aspects are almost of equal importance in this exchange." In March 2014, during a three-week stay in Cologne, 14 Israeli apprentices between 16 and 18 years of age from the occupational fields of metal-working and electrical engineering learned about the German vocational education and training system.

Hemdat Sagi, commercial attaché at the Israeli Embassy in Berlin, visited the young people during their workshops. She is convinced that "the German-Israeli exchange in the field of vocational education and training is one of the strongest pillars of co-operation between our countries". The element of fun, or, to be politically correct, the intercultural experience was also not neglected in this exchange. In addition to a city tour of Cologne, the apprentices went on a cruise on the river Rhine, explored the nearby "Europastadt - City of Europe" Maastricht in the Netherlands, visited the Haus der Geschichte (House of History) in Bonn and a football game in Cologne. They moreover met with the German apprentices, who went to visit Israel two months later in May.

"There is a high demand for qualified skilled labour and improved vocational education and training in Israel. The efficient German dual system provides an interesting model here", says Monique Nijsten. In Germany, apprentices learn occupational practical skills within businesses and the corresponding theory at vocational colleges. A solution that interests many countries, also in their battle against youth unemployment. "In turn, Germany can learn a lot from Israel with respect to the issue of inclusion", Monique Nijsten observed. "In Israel, the integration of different social and occupational background stories is commonplace."

"Both countries benefit from the long-standing vocational education and training partnership", Monique Nijsten summarises the co-operation. "Each partner can contribute their strengths and knowledge and partake in the experience of the other."