Vocational Education in Germany
At the High Secondary Level, students can enter into any of three specific vocational education streams. In 2007, about 57% of students entered Vocational Education compared to 43% entering general Upper Secondary Education.[1] There are two types of Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Germany. One is the full-time VET schools and the other is the Dual program. This variation allows students to have a choice in their career pathway so that they may enjoy their education and feel a sense of accomplishment.
Choosing a specific route can be daunting and difficult for students, so Germany has provided various programs to help students transition into the VET program. The pre-vocational programs (übergangssystem)[2] help with career counselling and placement services. Starting in grade eight, schools or agencies help prepare students with transitional courses that will enable them to meet application qualifications for VET schooling or apprenticeship. Students are also given opportunities to meet with transition managers that help encourage and guide students from school to work and then career.[3] This transitional period is governed locally and by agencies like REGE mbH. Starting in grade eight, each student receives a personal contract that is tailored to the student’s personal realistic career path. “All work-related activities are documented in the Bielefeld job Pass.” [4] The transitional period allows students to grow and figure out what career path is most beneficial of them personally.
[1] Schwartz, Robert and Kathrin Hoeckel. Learning for Jobs OECD Reviews of Vocational Education and Training Germany. September 2010. http://www.deqavet.de/_media/PDF_allgemein/OECD_Learning_for_Jobs_2010_EN.pdf (accessed April 15, 2013). pg 9
[2] Schwartz, Robert and Kathrin Hoeckel. Learning for Jobs OECD Reviews of Vocational Education and Training Germany. September 2010. http://www.deqavet.de/_media/PDF_allgemein/OECD_Learning_for_Jobs_2010_EN.pdf (accessed April 15, 2013). pg 9
[3] Sommerfeld, Alkje. Short Film WorkAble - GERMANY. November 16, 2012. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vt1fvBaqImY (accessed April 15, 2013).
[4] http://www.rege-mbh.de/jugend-kommunale-koordinierung/
Choosing a specific route can be daunting and difficult for students, so Germany has provided various programs to help students transition into the VET program. The pre-vocational programs (übergangssystem)[2] help with career counselling and placement services. Starting in grade eight, schools or agencies help prepare students with transitional courses that will enable them to meet application qualifications for VET schooling or apprenticeship. Students are also given opportunities to meet with transition managers that help encourage and guide students from school to work and then career.[3] This transitional period is governed locally and by agencies like REGE mbH. Starting in grade eight, each student receives a personal contract that is tailored to the student’s personal realistic career path. “All work-related activities are documented in the Bielefeld job Pass.” [4] The transitional period allows students to grow and figure out what career path is most beneficial of them personally.
[1] Schwartz, Robert and Kathrin Hoeckel. Learning for Jobs OECD Reviews of Vocational Education and Training Germany. September 2010. http://www.deqavet.de/_media/PDF_allgemein/OECD_Learning_for_Jobs_2010_EN.pdf (accessed April 15, 2013). pg 9
[2] Schwartz, Robert and Kathrin Hoeckel. Learning for Jobs OECD Reviews of Vocational Education and Training Germany. September 2010. http://www.deqavet.de/_media/PDF_allgemein/OECD_Learning_for_Jobs_2010_EN.pdf (accessed April 15, 2013). pg 9
[3] Sommerfeld, Alkje. Short Film WorkAble - GERMANY. November 16, 2012. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vt1fvBaqImY (accessed April 15, 2013).
[4] http://www.rege-mbh.de/jugend-kommunale-koordinierung/
This Video talks about the Vocational Education in Germany
Sommerfeld, Alkje. Short Film WorkAble - GERMANY. November 16, 2012. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vt1fvBaqImY (accessed April 15, 2013).
Links for German Vocational Education
The Organization that guides the Vocational System in Germany is called DEQA- VET
http://www.deqa-vet.de/en/2356.php
The German Vocational System: An Overview
http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/06__Foreign__Policy__State/02__Foreign__Policy/05__KeyPoints/Vocational__Training.htm
OECD
http://www.oecd.org/education/country-studies/learningforjobs.htm
Learning for Jobs OECD Reviews of Vocational Education and Training Germany. September 2010
http://www.oecd.org/germany/45668296.pdf
http://www.oecd.org/edu/skills-beyond-school/45938559.pdf
Information on where students can gain support in the transitional period for German VET can be found at
http://www.rege-mbh.de/jugend-kommunale-koordinierung/
http://www.deqa-vet.de/en/2356.php
The German Vocational System: An Overview
http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/06__Foreign__Policy__State/02__Foreign__Policy/05__KeyPoints/Vocational__Training.htm
OECD
http://www.oecd.org/education/country-studies/learningforjobs.htm
Learning for Jobs OECD Reviews of Vocational Education and Training Germany. September 2010
http://www.oecd.org/germany/45668296.pdf
http://www.oecd.org/edu/skills-beyond-school/45938559.pdf
Information on where students can gain support in the transitional period for German VET can be found at
http://www.rege-mbh.de/jugend-kommunale-koordinierung/