Print version Recommend this page Press release
47/ 2008
Bonn, 04.12.2008
Quality in 'dual' vocational training: What experts and trainees think
The continued development of 'dual' vocational training (which combines part-time vocational schooling with practical work experience) is a key objective of vocational training policy. But what are the hallmarks of 'good' vocational training? Vocational training experts consider it especially important that dual vocational training be very demanding. In their opinion, trainees should not only carry out individual steps in work processes but also be involved in larger projects that make a real contribution to the business processes of the company providing their training. Rather than having each step laid down for them, trainees should plan, carry out and check work sequences on their responsibility. These are the key findings of an online survey conducted by the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) for the Expertenmonitor Berufliche Bildung (Vocational Training Experts Monitor) survey. The online survey asked 355 experts from the vocational training field about their thoughts on pre-quoted criteria for good dual vocational training.
According to the respondents, these criteria for demanding vocational training can be fulfilled first and foremost only when trainees receive competent vocational and didactic support and supervision from vocational trainers and vocational school instructors. It is particularly important in the course of in-company vocational training that training personnel is always present, provides clear instructions, discusses the results of the trainee's work with the respective individual and also asks their trainees for feedback on how training is going. It is also very important, the experts noted, that the training company has a certain level of tolerance towards mistakes which trainees are bound to make when learning how to work on their own, as called for by the experts.
BIBB's Expertenmonitor Berufliche Bildung survey involves a fixed group of experts from a variety of institutions. These experts are surveyed on an irregular basis regarding current issues and topics in the initial and continuing vocational training field.
Findings from a survey of trainees in the crafts and skilled trades in Bremen
The findings from a regional study conducted by the University of Bremen and published in collaboration with BIBB show that the way learning processes are organised has pivotal influence on the quality of the training provided. Some 400 youths in their third year at a part-time vocational school in Bremen were asked about the quality of vocational training in the crafts and skilled trades from a trainee's perspective.
Two out of every three trainees surveyed said that they received good technical/ subject-related guidance, were allowed to perform tasks on their own and make mistakes in the process. Just as many said that the instructors discuss the tasks and assignments together with them. The majority of the trainees indicated they were satisfied with the level of communication in their training.
There were however also clear signs of difficulties with the training. A total of 43% of the trainees at the end of their training in the crafts and skilled trades reported that they often performed tasks that were not related to their training. Nearly one out of every two trainees experienced continual deadline or time pressure during their training. One out of every three said that he "gets into trouble" when he can't solve an assignment. In addition, the tardy payment of their training allowance troubles approximately one out of every four trainees.
Although the regional study that the University of Bremen conducted on occupations in the crafts and skilled trades focused on just this one state, it makes an important contribution toward drawing more attention to the trainee's point of view of issues involving the quality of dual vocational training.
The Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training is currently conducting the Training from the Trainee's Standpoint research project with an eye to gathering representative, cross-regional data on this subject. Some 6,000 trainees undergoing training in Germany eastern and western states in 15 occupations offered by the dual vocational training system will be surveyed as part of this project. The respondents will report on the one hand on the extent to which enterprises and vocational schools fulfil certain quality criteria from their point of view. On the other hand, they will also be asked about how important the pre-quoted quality criteria are for them personally. The initial findings from this survey will be published during the first half of the coming year.
Further information:
- Vocational Training Experts Monitor survey on the subject "Hallmarks of good vocational training practice"
www.expertenmonitor.de
Point of contact at BIBB: Andreas Krewerth, Tel.: +49 (0)228 107 1110;
E-mail: krewerth@bibb.de - Regional study on vocational training quality in Bremen
Quante-Brandt, Eva; Grabow, Theda: "Die Sicht von Auszubildenden auf die Qualität ihrer Ausbildungsbedingungen. Regionale Studie zur Qualität und Zufriedenheit im Ausbildungsprozess." Reports on Vocational Training. Bielefeld 2008. This BIBB publication can be ordered for € 27.90 from W. Bertelsmann Verlag (Tel.: +49 (0)521 9110 111; Fax: +49 (0)521 9110 119;
E-mail: service@wbv.de ).
Point of contact at BIBB: Dr Mona Granato, Tel.: +49 (0)228 107 1227;
E-mail: granato@bibb.de
