Each year, about 50,000 women and men complete an advanced further training programme with the chambers of industry and commerce (IHKs), for example, as a business administrator, certified management accountant or as a qualified foreman or master. These advanced training programmes are established by the Berufsbildungsgesetz (BBiG - Vocational Training Act) and are on a par with the academic bachelor degree.
Technically speaking, both these forms of qualification are at level 6 of the German Qualifications Framework (DQR); for example, a three-year dual system vocational education and training programme is at level 4. More than half a million people attained such an IHK qualification between 2003 and 2013. Every fifth dual system vocationally trained person takes part in such an examination in the course of his or her career. Yet many are not aware of the advantages such an advanced further training provides.
Numerous universities in Germany are overcrowded. With far more than 500,000 first semester students, there are currently almost as many academic beginners as there are apprenticeship beginners. At the same time, many industry sectors and occupations report unfilled apprenticeship placements.
This results in entirely new risks for Germany as a site for industry. Small and medium-sized enterprises in particular, which are dependent on the skilled labour supply in their region, are facing huge problems. This is why closing this skilled labour gap has become an important area of activity for politics.
The advanced further training programmes with plenty of practical application, tailored to the needs of businesses and a hands-on mentality are in high favour with the industry, because the graduates are specifically qualified in a broad range of fields and are diversely deployable.
Freedom of choice between vocational and academic education must be increased
The advanced further training qualifications contribute towards the improved preparation of employees to meet occupational challenges and to counteract skilled labour shortages in time. They also enable programme participants to take the step to move on to specialist and executive jobs. As a result, unemployment in this group is even less than in the group of university graduates.
In a recent survey by the German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), 62 per cent of examination participants reported positive effects of the advanced further training on their professional development. Five years after the examination, almost three quarters report success due to continuing education.
Three quarters of those reporting such a success state that they got promoted or now have a larger scope of responsibility. 69 per cent of people in this group earn more, with one quarter reporting additional earnings to the amount of EUR 750 per month or more; more than 50 per cent of that group earn at least EUR 450 more after the continuing education programme.
Advanced further training programmes are fairly unknown in the population - a strong contrast to the popularity of university degrees. For many, a study course is the first choice, which often is due to false perceptions and the attitude of parents. Vocational training and education should receive the same degree of advertising at grammar schools as academic education.
Likewise, the freedom of choice between vocational and academic education must be increased. Unfortunately, academics, personnel development managers and teachers often are not sufficiently aware of the career opportunities in the field of vocational education and training.
For this reason, the diversity and value of the advanced further training qualifications must be more forcefully conveyed to these groups, so that they can provide young people with comprehensive information about the career paths in vocational education and training. This may not only help to minimise university dropouts, but will also create a healthy balance between dual system vocationally trained people with advanced further training qualifications on the one hand, and academically educated people on the other.