Print version Recommend this page Press release
41/ 2007
Bonn, 14.09.2007
BIBB Congress will generate impetus for the progressive development of vocational education and training
Professor Weiß, deputy president of BIBB: "The dual vocational training system is flexible, efficient and innovative."
The 5th BIBB Congress of the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training ("BIBB") will, according to Professor Reinhold Weiß, BIBB deputy president and head of research, generate important impetus for the progressive development of vocational education and training in Germany. Whether it be training modules for training place applicants who could not be placed and have therefore been carried over into the next placement year, the closer linking of initial and continuing vocational training with one another or urgently needed improvements in the management of the transition from secondary school to in-company vocational training - all topical reform areas and new BIBB studies and concepts were part of the discussions held at the conference.
"The results and findings from this conference will be incorporated into BIBB's current research work and will give discussions on reform a new boost," noted Professor Weiß.
With its focus on "Vocational Education and Training as the Path of the Future: Mobilise potential, shape change", the 5th BIBB Congress in Düsseldorf drew nearly 2,000 vocational education and training experts. As BIBB's head of research pointed out, the course of this conference shows that Germany's 'dual' vocational training system (which combines part-time vocational schooling with practical work experience) is flexible enough to adjust to changing requirements and conditions. "It is more flexible, efficient and innovative than some critics would have us believe," said Professor Weiß. Germany's dual vocational training system bears "all the traits of a learning system".
Looking at the current trend on the training place market, BIBB's deputy president noted in his closing remarks that the quantitative problems on this market have not been solved, despite the easing that is becoming evident. "Creating enough training places on a long-term basis, reducing the number of training place applicants who could not be placed and have been carried over into the next placement year, and integrating disadvantaged youths into the system will remain on the agenda."
The current discussion on the shortage of skilled workers also provides an indication of the fundamental changes that enterprises will be facing in the future, Weiß added. Since the decline in the number of applicants will pick up pace in a few years, firms and associations will have to conduct much more "active marketing" than in the past if they are to tap the pool of applicants. "For the moment however, it is too early to complain about a serious shortage of skilled workers - at least when we're talking about skilled workers who received their training through the dual vocational training system," Professor Weiß said.
- Information about the BIBB Congress is available at http://www.bibb.de/en/25537.htm
- Documentation from the conference is currently being compiled for publication.
