Print version Recommend this page Press release
24/ 2009
Bonn, 14.07.2009
The quality of dual vocational training from the trainees' standpoint: Many bright spots - but some shadows too
Seen from the standpoint of trainees, the quality of 'dual' vocational training (which combines part-time vocational schooling with practical work experience) in Germany varies greatly. More than half (53%) assesses the quality of their training as 'satisfactory'. One out of every four (24%) rates it as 'good' while one out of every five (21%) says it is only 'adequate'. One per cent considers their training to be 'inadequate' according to the findings from the representative study Vocational Training from the Standpoint of Trainees for which the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) surveyed some 6,000 trainees. Second-year trainees undergoing training in one of 15 occupations that requires completion of formal vocational training ('training occupation') were asked about numerous different aspects of the quality of their training. The findings from this BIBB study have been published in the latest issue (9/2009) of BIBB REPORT.
Good company trainers - Collaboration between learning venues in need of improvement
Asked about the training conditions in their company, trainees gave positive marks in particular to the aptitude, qualifications and conduct of their instructors and to the material conditions (such as how well their workplace was equipped). By contrast, the actual implementation of their training in terms of content and methodology and the learning climate in their particular firm did not fare as well. Trainees say the greatest difficulties in their companies arise in connection with the way their training is organized. Training is seldom planned in detail and it does not follow the course it should take. Very few firms conduct regular performance reviews which provide trainees feedback on how they are getting on with their training.
From a trainee's point of view, vocational schools score particularly well in terms of the good classroom climate they offer. Trainees however view the material conditions at vocational schools as a problem. The tools and equipment they used were often not up to date; firms did much better in this category. Measured in terms of their qualifications and their ability to explain learning content intelligibly, instructors at vocational schools also do not meet the level offered by in-company trainers.
Out of all the quality-related areas covered by the study, trainees gave collaboration between the learning venues 'firm' and 'vocational school' the lowest marks. As trainees see it, the work that they have to perform in their respective company tends to be covered 'seldom' at vocational school. On the other hand, trainees also have the impression that they cannot apply much of what they learn at vocational school to the work they do in their company. Training projects that firms and vocational schools conduct together tend to be the exception.
Comparison of 15 occupations that require completion of formal vocational training - Bank clerk and industrial mechanic top the list
A comparison of 15 occupations that can be learned in the dual vocational training system - from plant mechanic for sanitary, heating and air conditioning systems to medical assistant - shows that none of them received only good or only bad marks in all quality categories. The study did not confirm clichés or preconceptions about individual occupations. Instead, it reveals a mixed picture with a wide variety of nuances and gradations. Commercial and industrial/technical occupations are to be found among those occupations with training conditions that tend to be rated better or worse than average.
The two occupations that received the best marks - bank clerk and industrial mechanic - belong to the Industry and Commerce training sector. This sector however also has occupations that were not rated as well, such as information technology specialist and industrial clerk. Occupations offered in the Skilled Trades training sector - such as hairdresser, salesperson specializing in foodstuffs, painter and varnisher - ranked in midfield or lower. On the positive side, no occupation received a very bad overall rating.
Further information on the findings of this study is available in the latest BIBB REPORT, Issue 9/2009 "The quality of dual vocational training in Germany from the trainees' standpoint: Many bright spots - but some shadows too". This issue can be downloaded at no charge from the BIBB website at www.bibb.de/bibbreport .
Point of contact for further information at BIBB:
- Andreas Krewerth; Tel.: +49 (0)228 107 1110; E-mail: krewerth@bibb.de
