In the opinion of the German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), the dual vocational training system continues to be an excellent instrument – provided that subsequently appropriate importance is given to lifelong learning.
It is thus with corresponding differentiation that Günter Lambertz, Head of Department Continuing Education at the DIHK, evaluates a current study stating that the dual vocational training system was too much based on the demands of businesses and enhanced the risk of unemployment with increasing age.
"The notion of somebody having 'finished with learning' is completely outdated", says he. Lifelong learning was the key to success for both employees and businesses, stressed the continuing education expert at the DIHK.
The fact that this insight is not as yet universally prevalent was also due to neglect on part of policy makers, who for a long time focused only on early retirement and semi-retirement. "Many chief executives therefore worked on the premise of continuing education not being worthwhile for older people anyway", says Lambertz.
He agrees with the authors of the study recommending dual study courses as an alternative and sees more potential there. Yet there were also clear limits. "For many apprentices, a university of cooperative education does not present a real alternative", says Lambertz. "The demands as regards motivation and staying power are very high at these institutions."
However, the DIHK head of department vehemently rejects the study's demands for the increased imparting of basic knowledge and cutbacks as regards the degree of specialisation in professions requiring vocational training: "By now more than 1,000 highly specialised bachelor study courses exist", says Lambertz. "Compared with that number, our 360 vocational training courses are a small number indeed."