Print version Recommend this page Press release
09/ 2007
Bonn, 14.02.2007
BIBB President Kremer: "Give innovative vocational qualifications routes a chance!"
The President of the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB), Manfred Kremer, has entered the current debate surrounding the introduction of "training modules" in the dual system of vocational education and training by appealing to the stakeholders involved from the federal states and the umbrella associations of the chambers and trade unions to show more courage in seeking innovative potential solutions. In the latest issue of the BIBB periodical "Vocational Training in Research and Practice" (BWP), Manfred Kremer offers his support for the idea of subjecting the concept of "training modules" to wide-ranging practical piloting and evaluation, outside the scope of statutory regulations if necessary. "The failure of such an approach because of the restrictive attitude of the social partners or owing to lack of willingness to become involved on the part of appropriate branches would be fatal and would cast long-term doubt on the ability of the VET system to reform."
In his BWP article, the BIBB President spelled out: "What we are talking about here are nationally standardised, certifiable and transferable training modules from recognised training occupations, clear orientation in line with the concept of the regulated occupation ("Berufskonzept"), a focus on particular groups of persons and open evaluation of results. This represents a clear rejection of a reduction of requirements to below the level of the regulated training occupations."
Manfred Kremer takes the view that "training modules" have the potential to transform "unproductive waiting loops" in transferable and qualifications related "VET chains" and thus considerably expand capacities for recognised vocational education and training. He feels that the linking of such modules with statutorily established routes for wider participation in dually organised training on the part of vocational schools and other educational establishments affords particular opportunities.
Manfred Kremer also speaks out in favour of making use of existing experience within the current debate. This has led to a commission from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) for BIBB to conduct a series of pilot projects on the theme of "Qualification during employment". "This involved the development and successful piloting of a universally recognised concept for an in-service 'modular qualification' of young adults in recognised training occupations."
In the latest issue of BWP, the authors of the study "Flexible pathways of training in vocational education and training", Dieter Euler and Eckart Severing, also take a position on the current modularisation debate in an article entitled "Joined-up thinking - training modules as the basis for further development of vocational education and training". Michael Ehrke and Hermann Nehls provide a commentary on the concept from the point of view of the trade unions.
Further English language information on the February issue of the BIBB specialist periodical BWP (Issue 1/2007) is available on the BIBB website at http://www.bibb.de/en/360.htm .
Point of contact at BIBB for further information on BWP:
Dr. Ursula Werner, Tel: 0228/107-1722; 0228/107-2967; e-mail werner@bibb.de
