Vocational training for specific target groups
The training market and labour market in Germany typically see competition between the demanders for the most attractive training places and jobs. On the other hand, these markets also see competition between employers over the most productive employees. This competition is growing in the wake of the current demographic trend. 'Productive' can be defined very differently, depending on the area of work and the occupational field. It can be understood as personal competence (such as conscientiousness), cognitive competence (such as the ability to think in abstract terms), social competence (such as the ability to work in a team), physical strength or technical proficiency.
The requirements placed on workers are as different as the people who apply for a training place or job. For a long time, this diversity was primarily perceived as a restriction or hindrance for lasting integration into employment. Today, categories of difference such as gender, ethnicity or age are increasingly discussed in light of the specific potential they each offer. The diversity of skills and competences resulting from this is perceived as a gain for the working world. Nevertheless there are still risk groups consisting of persons who are very likely to become unemployed, have been unemployed for a longer period, or who work in insecure jobs. These risk groups particularly include people with an immigrant background, people with a disability and people who have a lower level of secondary qualification or no school-leaving certificate at all.
Germany's vocational training system must offer these people tailor-made options so that they can make use of their opportunities to participate in society. In addition, those in positions of responsibility in the vocational training field must strengthen people's individual potential, make this potential visible and help dismantle discriminatory selection mechanisms. Topics that experts are currently discussing in this connection include:
- Vocational orientation for pupils
- Unequal opportunities in connection with the transition from school to an occupation and the working world
- Intermeshment of vocational preparation schemes with vocational training
- Part-time initial vocational training pursuant to Section 8 of the Vocational Training Act
- Vocational integration of young people with an immigrant background
- Acquisition of formal vocational qualification as an adult
- Vocational training for disabled persons
- Continuing vocational training for older persons
