Print version Recommend this page Press release
12/ 2006
Bonn, 04.05.2006
Better data, better (VET) policies ?! 0 Research against the backdrop of diverging interests
Every autumn what seems to be a somewhat curious ritual takes place in Germany 0 right after the release of statistical findings on the latest developments on the training market. What some people interpret as evidence of a somewhat tight but still sufficient offering of training places, other people see as proof that the market is falling apart and is unable to offer prospects for the future to a large share of young people who are ready and willing to undergo vocational training. Data and facts that can inject greater objectivity into the discussion are particularly needed when the training place market finds it ever more difficult to provide enough training places and the debates between various interest groups regarding the causes, development and scope of the deficits become increasingly shrill.
The report "Research against the backdrop of diverging interests. Training statistics and their contribution to day-to-day practice, policy and research" published by the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training ("BIBB") examines the specific requirements of and possibilities offered by application-oriented research on the basis of training market research and vocational training statistics. Centre stage is given to questions regarding the contribution research can make to policies and the role the interests of the various societal actors play.
This publication aims to foster the exchange between the individual players and to establish research-backed foundations for practicable solutions 0 because consensus between the federal government, state government, labour and management on important vocational training issues is vital to vocational training's progressive, forward-looking development. This report therefore addresses those who are directly involved in generating and analyzing the data that underpins training statistics and those who are targeted by their findings.
The opportunities and risks posed by application-oriented research concepts are the focus of the report "Better Data 0 Better (Training) Policies?! BIBB's Training Market Research along the Interface with Vocational Training Policy". The authors explain the concept behind BIBB's sociological training market research and describe in particular examples of collaboration with government vocational training policy.
The report "Extensive Improvements in Vocational Training Statistics Starting in April 2007" concentrates on the possibilities of and limits to the use of official statistics for scientific analyses and for providing advisory services to the political sector. In this connection, the changeover to individual statistics for new vocational training statistics not only establishes a basis for markedly improving the capabilities of statistical analyses but also offers a means for substantially reducing bureaucracy because it simplifies the reporting process.
Krekel, Elisabeth M.; Uhly, Alexandra; Ulrich, Joachim Gerd (Ed.): "Forschung im Spannungsfeld konkurrierender Interessen. Die Ausbildungsstatistik und ihr Beitrag für Praxis, Politik und Wissenschaft." Forschung Spezial - No. 11, April 2006.
This 64-page German-language publication is available for € 12.90 from:
W. Bertelsmann Verlag GmbH & Co. KG Tel.: +49 (0) 521 - 91 10 111
Postfach 10 06 33 Fax: +49 (0) 521 - 91 10 119
D-33506 Bielefeld E-mail: service@wbv.de
Order No. 115.011 ISBN No.: 3-7639-1076-X
Points of contact at BIBB:
Dr. Elisabeth M. Krekel, Tel.: +49 (0) 228 - 10 71 109, Fax: +49 (0) 228 - 10 72 955, krekel@bibb.de
Dr. Alexandra Uhly, Tel.: +49 (0) 228 - 10 71 905, Fax: +49 (0) 228 - 10 72 955, uhly@bibb.de
Dr. Joachim Gerd Ulrich, Tel.: +49 (0) 228 - 10 71 122, Fax: +49 (0) 228 - 10 72 955, ulrich@bibb.de
