Strengthening vocational education and training

In light of the publication of the 2016 Report on Vocational Education and Training, the German Retail Federation (HDE) is emphasising the crucial importance of vocationally qualified skilled workers for the continuing effectiveness of the retail sector.

This view is reflected in the fact that managers working in the branch are more likely to hold a vocational qualification. Compared with other sectors of trade and industry, there are still relatively few higher education graduates. "Retail needs efficient vocational education and training which enjoys societal recognition," says Stefan Gerth, Managing Director of the HDE. "We facilitate vocational development pathways which are equivalent to higher education study."

For this reason, the growing numbers of persons in possession of an upper secondary school leaving certificate and a higher education entrance qualification needed to be made more aware of the good opportunities afforded by vocational education and training. Better vocational orientation at upper secondary schools could make an effective contribution towards reducing the number of high education drop-outs, a figure which was much too high.

At the same time, it was incumbent on the retail sector to provide extensive information on the good employment and development prospects offered by such vehicles as work experience placements for school pupils. "Training and advanced training occupations in the retail sector need to be attractive, modern and in line with requirements," Mr. Gerth continued.

The HDE was therefore currently working with the Major vocational education and training policy partners to modernise the two existing retail occupations and was actively promoting the introduction of the new training occupation of management assistant in e-commerce. The plan is for this new training occupation to be supplemented by the advanced training occupation of senior commercial clerk in e-commerce.