topic Education

Vocational Education and Training - Practically Unbeatable

Federal Minister of Economics Phillip Rösler with BMBF State Secretary Cornelia Quennet-Thielen kick off the information campaign "Vocational Education and Training - Practically Unbeatable"Around 60 per cent of young people in Germany take part in the dual system of vocational training - 'dual' because training takes place both in the company and in part-time vocational school. The company provides practical training, and vocational school supplements this on the job learning with theoretical instruction. Approximately 350 training regulations for state-recognized training occupations form the legal foundation for the implementation of company-based vocational training.

Vocational Education and Training - Practically Unbeatable

On 8 November 2011, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi) started the information campaign "Vocational Education and Training - Practically Unbeatable". The campaign, which will run through 2013, aims at emphasizing the attractiveness of dual vocational training and the diverse opportunities for further occupational training to the general public. One initiative involves the launching of the website http://www.praktisch-unschlagbar.de/. With this website, the BMBF and the BMWi want to emphasize the benefits of initial and advanced vocational training and provide information for youth, schools, parents, employees, and employers. Other promotional measures include nationwide poster and press advertisements, publications and events dedicated to vocational education and training, and targeted use of social media. In addition, Infomobiles will be travelling across Germany to provide on the spot answers to question about initial and further vocational training. "WorldSkills"- the world championship for vocational training, is sure to be a highlight of the campaign. The competition, which is funded by the BMBF, will be held in Leipzig in summer of 2013.

The National Pact for Training and Young Skilled Staff provided an important impetus for the information campaign "Vocational Education and Training - Practically Unbeatable". Last year the pact was extended to 2014 and supplied with new focuses. In the course of this process, the Federal Government and industry have arranged to initiate joint publicity actions to strengthen vocational education and training. Thus the information campaign is partially supported by the trade associations.

Background

Qualification requirements for trained employees are constantly evolving as a result of increasing globalization and continuous structural change in industry and society. For this reason, training regulations for existing occupations must be brought up to speed, and new training occupations must be created in order to open up new professional fields. In this way, the dual system of vocational training ensures targeted qualification and support. Training opportunities within businesses are enhanced by vocational courses of study and additional qualification opportunities. Furthermore, this system offers entry into a career that does not end with the initial training. Advanced vocational training can lead to a master craftsman's diploma. And a new qualification track offers career compatible continued education which can lead to a master's degree from a university. In this reformed and flexible education system, training has a future.

Vocational Counseling

Many questions are raised on the threshold between school and working life: What's the right occupation for me? For which career do I want to train? Which requirements do I need for it? And what awaits me in the career? The answers to these questions depend on a variety of factors, including individual characteristics and as well as the regional conditions in your place of residence or work. The local employment agency provides information about regional offers for training positions as well as vocational counseling services. Anyone interested in acquiring information before visiting the employment agency can visit the Planet Beruf and Berufswahl websites (in the German language).

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  topic Education

  iMOVE - Training - Made in Germany

  "Training - Made in Germany" refers to the internationally renowned quality of German initial and continuing vocational training. There is a growing international demand for vocational training from Germany on the global education market. Since 2001, the BMBF has supported marketing for "Training - Made in Germany" with the iMOVE initiative (International Marketing of Vocational Education). German education providers have access to a variety of services when preparing and realizing their commitment abroad. With "Training - Made in Germany," iMOVE advertizes German expertise in initial and continuing vocational training abroad.
  more (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/887.php)
   
  
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  topic Education

  Regulation of Vocational Education and Training

  A standardized and comprehensive system of education and vocational training is a major reason for Germany's economic strength. Young people and companies can expect that their efforts in the field of education are part of a system which ensures access, quality, mobility, and capacity for innovation. This system is governed by the amended Vocational Training Act (BBiG), which also establishes the basis for further training at a high quality and nationally consistent level. Standardized requirements and examination rules ensure both the high qualification of employees and the economic success of businesses.
  more (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/6535.php)
   
  
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  topic Education

  JOBSTARTER: Funding Innovation in Vocational Training

  The Federal Ministry of Education and Research has been supporting the development of Germany's training structure through its JOBSTARTER programme for over four years now. Over 280 innovative projects are being funded. All these projects are helping to create additional traineeships and are offering various measures to support companies which either have no previous experience with training or which have grown weary of providing training. The JOBSTARTER projects have secured around 56,700 training positions to date, 39,000 of which have already been suitably filled.
  more (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/2313.php)
   
  

• topic Ministry

  Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB)

  The Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) is a national and international centre of excellence for research on initial and continuing vocational education and training (VET) and the progressive development of VET. Its research, development and advisory work is aimed at identifying future tasks of vocational education and training, promoting innovation in national and international vocational education and training and developing new, practice-oriented solutions for initial and continuing vocational education and training.
  more (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/2239.php)