The Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) has been investigating whether the four dual IT occupations, which have remained unchanged since 1997, need to be modernised. Against the background of the increasing digitalisation of the world of work, the aims of this process were to identify current and foreseeable requirements for skilled IT staff and to draw up proposals for the future shaping of the IT occupations.

There is increasing interest among companies and young people in the model of assisted apprentice training for weaker trainees which was launched last year by the Federal Employment Agency (FEA).

"How am I supposed to remember all that, that's too much at once for the final examination," complains Sofia B, a 19-year-old Argentinian who is hoping to successfully complete her two year training in 8 weeks' time as an Industrial Management Assistant at the vocational training centre (VTC) in Buenos Aires. For the teachers at the VTC, this was reason enough to trial something new during the revision period leading up to the Chamber of Foreign Trade's (AHK) Management Assistant examinations.

Attracting young people to Vocational Education and Training while at school with vocational, higher level school leaving certificate and with greater transparency and advice.