German-Hungarian talks on examination concepts
Representatives of the Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) and NSZFI, its Hungarian partner institute, met in Györ and Budapest from 25-27 May 2009 for talks that revolved around examinations and training modules. The meeting was held in connection with the cooperation agreement signed by BIBB and NSZFI in 2007.
One fundamental difference between day-to-day training and examination practice in these two countries is that, in contrast to the approach used in Germany, examinations in Hungary are not geared to a production or business process but rather to isolated (Taylorist) workflows. Practical examination assignments are generally performed using 'dummies'.
Examination concepts are manifested in the way training is designed and structured. Modularization on the basis of training modules is the guiding idea in Germany. The assessment of the testing/introduction of training modules in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia was particularly interesting in this connection. As the German system understands them, training modules are standardized segments of the training requirements for a particular 'training occupation' (which requires completion of formal vocational training). These segments have a specific duration and are didactically founded. The assignment of the individual training modules to the respective occupation is however done in strict compliance with the 'occupation principle' (according to which vocational training is provided for a specific, defined occupation). Training modules delineate what a trainee should be able to do upon completion of the particular module or training programme. They are geared to work processes and business processes that are typical for the particular occupation and are common in the respective area of activity. Taken together, they reflect the entire profile for the respective occupation. Separate examinations are not held and certification is not foreseen for individual modules. Plans in Hungary currently envisage a modularization of the requirements but not of the training itself.
The exchange of views will continue in Bonn in the spring of 2010 when a workshop is to be held on the Role of Training Modules in the Vocational Training for Young Adults.
