News about VET from Germany

The improvement of vocational education and training is given a high political priority in the USA. German enterprises that offer training courses oriented on the German system together with US educational establishments are highly appreciated by the US administration.

If there is not sufficient suitable personnel available on the labour market, it can help to increase one's efforts in qualifying one's existing employees. According to the IW Cologne Institute for Economic Research's latest continuing education survey, about two thirds of German enterprises agree with this statement.

Excellent professional perspectives for dual study course graduates: In a company survey conducted by the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB), 45 per cent of polled businesses stated that they continue to employ all dual study course graduates after completion of their studies.

The iMOVE Provider database contains up-to-date company profiles of German training providers. It is open to all German internationally active enterprises from the vocational education industry.

Playing is learning - this applies also to vocational students. Since 2009, the Ministry of Economics of the Federal State of Rhineland-Palatinate funds simulation games at vocational schools. The games help the young people to test their abilities in managing an enterprise.

From the very beginning, an apprentice has certain rights and responsibilities within the business he trains in. These are even put down by law: In the Vocational Training Act (Berufsbildungsgesetz BBiG) or in the Youth Employment Protection Act (Jugendarbeitsschutzgesetz) as well as in individual vocational education and training ordinances.

The information pages of the "Recognition in Germany" portal give access to the most important information on the recognition procedure, on working in Germany, and on the legal foundations.

Over the period of the next six months, three "Infomobiles" will be travelling all across Germany to provide information as regards the opportunities provided by vocational training and continuing education.

An A in the exam or winning a competition: The continuing education scholarship is made for the best young talents of a profession. Those applying successfully have at their disposal thousands of euros for seminars, courses and continuing education measures.