Print version Recommend this page Press release
45/ 2006
Bonn, 20.12.2006
Breite Zustimmung für neue Prüfungsregelungen in der Elektro- und Metallbranche
The new examination methods and forms in the electrical and metal branch have been well received by both training staff and trainees. The forward-looking "extended final examination model" has gained full acceptance, any return to the "old" examination regulations being rejected. A newly developed implementation guide, featuring practical instructions and tips for the new examinations in the industrial and craft trade electrical occupations, has enjoyed an extremely positive response from the branch. The aim now is to extend the proposals to the industrial metal occupations. On the basis of the proposals, the chambers and the IG Metall trade union have agreed to conduct a practical experiment. A trial run to this effect will take place in several chamber districts and involving a range of industrial metal and electrical occupations as early as March/April 2007.
These are the results of a congress on the theme of "New qualifications - new examinations in the electrical and metal sector", staged by the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) in December in Bonn. Over 300 trainers, vocational school teachers, examiners and representatives of ministries, employers' associations, chambers and trade unions debated the new examination methods and forms.
The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) had requested the German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association (ZVEI) to work together with assessors and experts from training and examination practice involved in the regulation revision of electrical occupations to draw up a guide to the implementation of the new examination regulations. This guide is now available in the form of a brochure and formed the basis for the two-day event.
The formal adoption of the rules relating to the "extended final examination", which is to form the object of a limited pilot project to run until 31 July 2007, remained a bone of contention at the conference. Whereas the ZVEI and IG Metall favoured a rapid and unaltered adoption, the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) and the craft trades representatives proposed a further extension of the trial period. The reason given was that it was felt that further experiences needed to be gathered with the new examination regulation in order to be able to make any changes in detail which may prove necessary.
The electrical and metal occupations were updated in 2003 and 2004 respectively. The central focus of the new training structure and content is a consistent orientation towards work and business processes. Examination regulations which have been updated on this basis in terms of their training regulations contain significant innovations, such as:
- The "extended final examination".
The interim examination, which is not material to the assessment of the final result, is dispensed with. It is replaced by a final examination conducted in two parts ("extended"). Part 1 of the examination takes place before the end of the second year of training and informs 40% of the final marks. Part 2 is tested at the end of the period of training, as has been the case up until now. Around 250,000 trainees in the metal and electrical branch will go through this form of examination in the next three years, representing a departure from the hitherto customary method of assessing fulfilment of examination requirements on an overall selective basis. - Employment oriented examinations
All examination areas will describe occupationally typical work related tasks in future. The aim of this is that the specific examination tasks will test examination requirements in the form of holistic work actions customary within the company rather than examining fragmented competences and isolated knowledge. - Competence oriented assessments
The examination requirements put the main emphasis on the competences candidates are to display. For the purposes of assessment, the examination board is to deploy a range of examination instruments where appropriate (such as work results, written tasks, observations, specialist oral examinations). This dispenses with the written and practical examinations conducted hitherto. - Process relevant skills
The aim of testing of process relevant skills in one of the total of five examination areas is to evaluate the ability of the candidate to organise work processes. To ascertain these skills, the company providing training can choose between a nationally standardised "practical task" or an "in-company order" with real customer relevance.
German language online documentation relating to the "New qualifications - new examinations in the electrical and metal sector" conference is available on the BIBB website at
http://www.bibb.de/de/28596.htm
The brochure (including CD-ROM) featuring practical tips and instructions for the implementation of the new examination methods and forms can be ordered free of charge or downloaded at
http://www.bmbf.de/publikationen/2711.php
Point of contact at BIBB for further information:
- Hans Borch, Tel.: 0228 / 107-2625; Fax: 0228 / 107-2993;
E-Mail: borch@bibb.de
