Vocational Training in Germany

Session 3: The role of Government, Industry and trade

Unions in training high quality manpower

Dietmar Niedziella, DIHK

• umbrella organisation for 80 German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CCI)

• every German company is required by law to join a chamber

• more than 3 mill. member companies

• co-ordinates bilateral chambers abroad in more than 80 countries (120 offices)

The DIHK

The Dual System of Vocational Training

3 - 4 days a week

as a rule 3 years

vocational training

act - nationwide

training contract

In-Firm Training Vocational School

1 - 2 days a week

school acts of the 16

“Länder” (states)

coordinated

nationally

educational background set out in compulsory education

lower secondary/secondary/grammar school/vocational college

The Vocational Training Act

• Vocational Training Act from 1969, updated in April 2005

in-firm training follows the same law all over Germany!

– equal legal relationship between trainee and instructor

– equal administration of apprenticeships through CCIs

– equal exams administrated through CCIs

– possibility to work abroad during vocational training

• every profession has its own national decree

– contents of apprenticeship

– contents of intermediate and final examination

Characteristic Elements of the Dual System

• training based on practical requirements of the companies

• responsibility shared between public and private sector

• co-operation of stakeholders:

– Federal Ministries

– “Länder” (State) Ministries

– Employers’ Associations

– Trade Unions

develop national decrees for qualification profiles / VET-standards (e. g. duration and contents of training, examination requirements )

How are training regulations developed?

Training regulations

− duration − designation of the occupation− contents:decision – making skills(knowledge, skills)

„Länder“

trade unionseconomy

government

Benefits of the Dual System

for enterprises:

• influence on content and organisation of vocational training

• at medium-term: low recruitment costs

• next generation of skilled workers assured

for trainees:

• labour market relevant training

• acquisition of social skills, personality development

• motivating situation (earning and learning)

for the state:

• private sector contribution eases the burden on public budgets

• relatively low rate of youth unemployment

Facts and Figures (2007)

• 60 % of the young people take part in the dual system

• over 1,6 Mio. trainees altogether, more than 600.000 new contracts per year

• German economy spends € 30 billion per year on vocational training

• average costs of a trainee in the dual system a year: € 18.000

• approx. 350 nationwide recognized training occupations (250 in the field of industry, trade and services)

• over 150.000 professional experts work on a honorary basis in the examination boards of the CCIs

National Pact on Apprenticeship

2004: Agreement between Federal Government and employers associations to prevent the so-called training levy, a law, which was planned to force companies to either provide training places or pay money instead.

• concluded on a completely voluntary basis

• main aim: all applicants, who are capable and willing to start an apprenticeship, get an offer

• promises of the economy:

– offer 60.000 new apprenticeship training positions

– offer 40.000 positions for courses leading to a first qualification

– acquire 30.000 new training companies

• support and assist companies

– that initially want to start vocational training

– that need help during the vocational training

• support and assist the trainees (e. g. Europass)

• provide and register the training contracts

• examine trainees and instructors

– intermediate examinations

– final examinations

– instructors examinations

The Role of the CCIs

Thank you for your attention!

Do you have questions?