Karliczek: We are strengthening the transfer of dual training abroad

In April 2021, the "BBI@TUM" project funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) at the Technical University of Munich was launched.

The aim is to design and set up a new English-language and work-based master's course of study in the area of management and teaching for international vocational education and training (VET) personnel. The project is part of the "MasterVET" funding announcement and it aims to strengthen the expertise of German universities in the area of vocational and business education.

As part of the new master's course of study, students throughout the world have the opportunity to learn about the setup and structure of dual training in Germany and, as disseminators, to be involved in change processes in their own countries. The project is set to run for four years and receives support of €1.5 million from the BMBF, Federal Minister of Education Karliczek explains.

"Dual vocational education and training is at the heart of Germany's economic productivity. As an export-oriented nation, we want to share the strengths of this successful model with other countries. For me it is important that, all over the world, an increased focus on practice is encouraged during training. This not only benefits the respective states, but also German companies locally which rely on highly qualified skilled workers and managers. I am delighted that we are now supporting a relevant master's course of study at the Technical University of Munich and in doing so are able to make our expertise available to other countries. I wish all those involved every success with the implementation."

Background

The new course of study at the Technical University of Munich is aimed at interested parties in the international vocational education and training community, at specialists and managers from ministries and other public institutions, and at training and continuing education personnel in companies, vocational schools and inter-company training facilities.

Due to this international focus and the global target audience, the course of study is being launched in a blended learning format with alternating online and in-person phases. The goal is for students from around the world to acquire competencies in the design, administration and management of VET processes and to do so across the range of specific problems they meet in their real everyday professional lives. The "BBI@TUM" project is therefore contributing in an innovative way to training the VET experts of tomorrow. The master's course of study will begin for the first time in the 2022 winter semester.

German vocational education and training enjoys an outstanding global reputation and specific requests about it are received from various countries. In the context of international VET cooperation, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research is an important contact globally for issues relating to the ongoing development of dual training structures. It is currently involved in VET cooperation with partner ministries in 16 countries.

Key goals are to support partner countries in the modernisation of their vocational education and training systems and to support German companies in the partner countries with skilled workers training. The "MasterVET" funding announcement forms part of the activities of the BMBF in international VET cooperation and provides a key impetus in the qualification of vocational education and training experts.