Julina Laible is Germany's top sports specialist

Dr. Michael Waasner, Vice President of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) and Chair of the IHK board for Forchheim congratulated the trainees on their top results and praised the high quality of vocational training in the region. "Achieving such top results takes commitment, determination and motivation. And not just from the trainees but also from the training companies. This is training at the highest level."

Julina Laible, national best, was "mega pleased" about the result of her trainee examination. When asked about her recipe for success with this great achievement, Julina revealed that she’s doing something she loves in her occupation. "If you really enjoy something, then success is guaranteed. Then it's easy to deliver." This was the tip she also gave to future trainees. "Try to discover what really gets you excited," was her advice for the young people still with their training ahead of them. She explained that self-reflection and using placements to try out different things was important for finding the right training occupation. As for Julina herself, she is now taking another step following her successful qualification and is currently completing continuing vocational education and training as a physiotherapist.

Training impresses with high practical relevance

Bernhard Hauser, owner of Fitness Hauser and responsible for the training, is also proud of his trainee and her outstanding performance. He places great emphasis on a high-level of practical relevance which, in his view, is also the huge advantage of dual training. He says it is about implementing what you have learned in practice and becoming familiar with every area of the company at a practical level. It is also important, he adds, to respect and treat the trainees as equals. "The person is at the centre of everything for us – both as a customer and as an employee", explains Hauser. He lives by his company motto "At home with Hauser".

Hauser advises young people who are still undecided to find out about the different occupational profiles, to ask questions about how the relevant sector is developing and also to thoroughly analyse their own desires and ideas. "Your hobby can then very quickly become your job", explains Hauser.

Successful model of dual education and training

For decades, dual education and training has been a successful model that many countries are trying to copy. And for good reason, as Bernd Rehorz, Head of Vocational Education and Training at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce Bayreuth, Upper Franconia, emphasises. "The dual system of vocational education and training impresses with its high level of practical relevance and a wide range of continuing vocational education and training opportunities. With a training qualification in the bag, all doors are open to you." Bernd Rehorz emphasised that training is also highly important over the long term for the business location. “Training ensures the supply of skilled workers and therefore makes a key contribution to the competitiveness of our companies".

The German Chambers of Industry and Commerce recorded almost 300,000 examination participants for 2020. Of these, those being honoured were the 207 graduates who had achieved the highest points total in their final examination – in other words, the best in their respective occupations. 200 companies provided training for 70 female and 137 male top trainees. The federal state with the most top performers (41) was North Rhine-Westphalia followed by Bavaria with 40.