News about VET from Germany

The Federal Government Representative for the East and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, Iris Gleicke, opened this year's Internationale Handwerksmesse (IHM - International Trade Fair for the Crafts) in Munich under the Motto "Können kennt keine Grenzen" (Capability knows no bounds).

Mink Bürsten is the winner of the IHK's first nationwide education prize in the category 50 to 500 employees. Company boss Peter Zimmermann was thrilled. "It is really great that our company has won this prize."

In 2013 the European Training Foundation (ETF) and the experts from the London School of Economics and Political Science completed a research project 'Mapping of VET [vocational education and training] educational policies and practices for social inclusion and social cohesion' in south eastern Europe, Turkey and Israel. Now the ETF has published the cross-country report with findings and recommendations.

Education Minister Wanka advertises for university drop-outs to directly transfer to crafts businesses. Inga, 19, is happy about her fresh start in a practical field. Her vocational training programme is even more than an apprenticeship: she is destined to become the boss.

A brand new magazine on vocational education and training is available to read and download.

TÜV Rheinland takes over the Indian company NIFE (NIFE Sole Proprietorship). NIFE is a major provider of vocational education, a rapidly growing market in India. Already, NIFE is represented in seven Indian federal states and 70 cities. 300 trainers for vocational training and continuing education work in the fields of optical fibre technology, lift technology, fire control and protection and security engineering.

The winners of the first IHK Education Prize have recently been selected. The final round for the award was decided in Berlin; the new prize is awarded by the organisation of German chambers of industry and commerce (IHKs) and the Otto Wolff Stiftung (Otto Wolff Foundation).

The latest innovations in life and health insurances or new financial products - management assistants for insurances and finances have to be up-to-date in this many-faceted field. Together with the social partners and business practice experts, the German Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) has therefore modernised the three-year vocational education and training programme.

Dual studies as a combination of academic studies and vocational training enjoy great popularity in Germany, where only the best candidates are being accepted. Universities co-operate with companies in order to provide theoretical and practical competences which are in line with the requirements of the industry.