"We never would have dreamed of these figures", admits Professor Dr Heribert Weber, President of the University of Applied Sciences Würzburg. At present, 171 men and women study at his university without having a formal university entrance qualification. As yet, this is not the standard – the share of so-called master and journeyman students is only about two per cent. Even so, says Weber, "each year, some 60 masters, technicians and senior clerks begin a study course with us."
So far, a technician's certificate still is not officially put on par with the university entrance qualification. However, since amendment of the Bavarian University Act, effective as of the winter semester 2009/2010, both technicians and journeymen can study within their field, provided they have had a minimum of two years of vocational training and subsequent three years of professional experience.
By contrast, the master craftsman's diploma by now is equal in value to the university entrance qualification. Masters are free to take up the study course of their choice at any state-run university. These days, a certain percentage of university places must be reserved for all those wanting to study without having a university entrance qualification.
At the University of Applied Sciences Würzburg, Julia Dietrich is in the process of qualifying as a media manager. "Later on, I would very much like to stand in front of or behind a camera", says the 24-year old office administrator. Prior to her study course, "Media Design" was an unchartered field for her, "For example, I had no idea how packaging is designed with the computer." The young woman now has to learn many new things. Which she does willingly, "In the long run, being an office administrator was not enough for me." Neither did she like to always be told by others what to do. Julia Dietrich, who completed her apprenticeship in 2008, wants to make her own decisions at last.
The fact, that a comparatively large number of master craftsmen and -women show an interest in academic further education, gives rise to joy also at the Chamber of Crafts Unterfranken (HWK). "We want our people to study!", emphasises Frank Weth, the managing director responsible for vocational training at the HWK.
For many years, the craft industry has battled for revaluation of vocational education. And justifiably so, as now becomes apparent. According to Weth, masters attending a university of applied sciences or a university are for the most part "highly motivated". Which seems to be true also for journeymen. At least this is indicated by the university of applied sciences' evaluation, according to which six of seven journeymen, who have been accepted on trial for the winter semester 2010/2011, have passed their probationary period.