Print version Recommend this page Press release
32/ 2006
Bonn, 07.09.2006
BIBB anthology provides insights into the continuing training jungle
Because no overarching, systematic official statistics exist to serve as a source of data for analyses and by dint of the fact that the (continuing training) market is largely unregulated, continuing training activities in Germany are recorded via a multitude of surveys. An anthology which has now been published by the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) provides a differentiated overview of surveys conducted by state institutions and of the methods deployed to gather data, which make information on the far-reaching field of continuing training more readily accessible and create a (greater) level of transparency.
The BIBB publication provides information about publicly funded, openly accessible and regular investigations and surveys of data, particularly focussing on continuing training which is useful in vocational terms. The methodological approaches adopted by these investigations and surveys are presented alongside the experiences and results gleaned thus far, interfaces and relationships are highlighted and an indication of forthcoming further developments is provided. The individual articles reflect continuing training activities from the point of view of participants, whilst also considering the perspective of the providers, experts and companies.
This publication will enable those involved in vocational education and training policy and practice to identify, classify and evaluate existing instruments and their effectiveness more rapidly and efficiently. In addition to this, suggestions are also contained relating to both national VET reporting and drawing comparisons with collections of data and surveys from other countries. Two introductory articles shed light on continuing training reporting from a theoretical European perspective and from an empirical point of view respectively.
Core statements contained within the BIBB anthology:
- In 1997, participation in general and vocational continuing training peaked, reaching a level three times that of 1979. Since 1997, however, the rate of participation has been declining despite the constant growth in the significance of lifelong learning.
- Although provision of in-company continuing training is increasing steeply in line with company size, there has been a significant falling-off in the level of intensity.
- Cost, capacity and dependence on external stipulations represent the greatest challenges facing providers of continuing training. This especially applies to providers conducting courses for the unemployed, the Federal Employment Agency (BA) having significantly reduced funding for these further training schemes. Three in ten providers are largely dependent on the BA.
- Increasing focus is being placed on the quality and benefits of continuing vocational training courses. The German Consumer Association views these as central criteria in the investigations it conducts and provides detailed information in this area.
- The rates of participation in continuing vocational training courses recorded in surveys range from 9 to 68 percent. Analyses of the various investigative methods deployed shed some light on these irritating results.
- In the "Vocational Training Experts Monitor" online questionnaire system, an optimistic view of the future of vocational education and training is taken by experts from trade and industry, politics, administration, society and institutes of higher education. The majority assumption is that in-company initial and continuing vocational education and training is on a par with other educational pathways in terms of facilitating career routes into management positions.
- Structural analyses of the KURS database operated by the BA show the areas of provision of continuing training which are in a dominant position in qualitative terms and the chronological development of these areas. So-called refresher continuing training accounts for 95 percent of these areas of provision, for example. Two thirds of these courses are provided by educational establishments in the private sector.
Gisela Feller (Ed.): Weiterbildungsmonitoring ganz öffentlich. Entwicklungen, Ergebnisse und Instrumente zur Darstellung lebenslangen Lernens (German language publication: "A public view of continuing training monitoring. Developments, results and instruments for the representation of lifelong learning") Bonn, 2006.
Ordering address:
W. Bertelsmann Verlag GmbH & Co. KG
Postfach 10 06 33
33506 Bielefeld
Telephone: 0521 / 9 11 01 11
Telefax: 0521 / 9 11 01 19
www.wbv.de service@wbv.de
ISBN 3-7639-1086-7
Order No. 110.479
Price: 17.90 Euro
Points of contact at BIBB for further information on this subject:
- Dr. Gisela Feller, Tel.: 0228 / 107-1124, Fax: 0228 / 107-2955, feller@bibb.de
- Hans-Joachim Schade, Tel.: 0228 / 107-1117; Fax: 0228 / 107-2955; schade@bibb.de
Further information in English on continuing training monitoring is available on the BIBB website at http://www.bibb.de/en/11920.htm.
