Print version Recommend this page Press release
22/ 2008
Bonn, 26.05.2008
BIBB president Kremer: "Dual vocational training more modern and up-to-date than ever" - Ten new occupations to be launched in autumn 2008
The Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) is vigorously up-dating 'dual' vocational training (which combines part-time vocational schooling with practical work experience). Ten new or up-dated recognized occupations are being launched on 1 August, the start of the 2008 training year. Manfred Kremer, president of the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB), notes that these efforts are strengthening vocational training. Speaking on the occasion of Traineeship Day, he said, "Dual vocational training is more modern and up-to-date than ever before." BIBB has developed 79 new occupations and up-dated another 215 over the last 12 years. "This shows just how flexible, competitive and innovative dual vocational training is."
BIBB's president stressed the practical focus and relevance to day-to-day working practice of the recognized occupations that BIBB has developed or up-dated on behalf of the relevant ministries. This emphasis on actual working practice is ensured by the significant role that experts from labour and management play in this work and through BIBB'S close collaboration with the federal and state governments, industry associations and trade unions. "This leads to a practice-oriented, forward-looking assortment of training options for businesses and enterprises - and, ultimately, for the younger generation." Kremer appealed to trade and industry to offer in-house training for the new recognized occupations and to step up their willingness to provide in-house vocational training even further. "Because only by offering sophisticated, qualified dual vocational training can firms ensure their own competitive strength and counteract the impending shortage of skilled labour."
Looking at current demographic trends, BIBB's president called on trade and industry to prepare to be dealing with a more varied group of training place applicants in future. "The days when businesses and enterprises could choose from a huge reservoir of qualified school-leavers are definitely over. It is important that we make intensive efforts now to attend especially to those individuals who have gotten less than their fair share in recent years for whatever reason. We need them all in order to remain economically competitive."
Manfred Kremer also appealed to the younger generation to obtain as much information as possible when deciding on an occupation, gather as much practical experience as possible and keep an eye on alternatives to their "dream occupation". "Because every year more than one third of the young men and more than half of the young women opt to undergo training for one of the ten most popular occupations for their gender," Kremer explained. "By doing so, young people are missing a wide range of opportunities. Germany's dual vocational training system offers training for a total of 344 occupations - many of them are similar or related to the 'top ten' and offer better prospects. New recognized occupations such as
Personaldienst¬leistungs¬kaufmann (human resources services consultant) or Produktionstechnologe (approximate translation: production technician) offer great opportunities."
The new recognized occupations that go into effect on 1 August 2008 are:
- Automatenfachmann/Automatenfachfrau (approx. translation: vending machine technician)
- Fachkraft für Automatenservice (approx. translation: vending machine service specialist)
- Fotomedienfachmann/Fotomedienfachfrau (approx. translation: photo media specialist)
- Personaldienstleistungskaufmann/Personaldienstleistungskauffrau (human resources services consultant)
- Produktionstechnologe/Produktionstechnologin (approx. translation: production technician)
- Servicekraft für Schutz und Sicherheit (approx. translation: safety and security service worker)
- Speiseeishersteller/Speiseeisherstellerin (approx. translation: ice cream manufacturer)
In addition, the training regulations for the following occupations were updated:
- Safety and security specialist
- Hairdresser
- Rope-maker
The German brochure "Neue und modernisierte Ausbildungsberufe 2008" (new and updated recognized occupations in 2008) from the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training provides detailed descriptions of the content of these occupations and outlines the training for them. It can be downloaded free of charge from the BIBB homepage at www.bibb.de/berufe .
Further information about the individual recognized occupations is also available in English at www.bibb.de/en/press-releases.htm.
