Schavan: "Quality pact for training in Germany"
Minister visits Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training in Bonn
Federal Minister of Education ANNETTE SCHAVAN paid a visit to BIBB in Bonn on 3 November 2009, directly after the start of the new legislative period. The discussions the minister held with senior management at the institute centred on the vocational training policy resolutions contained within the coalition agreement and on the involvement of BIBB in implementing policy over the course of the next four years. The main focuses of attention were the situation on the training market and a greater degree of internationalisation for the vocational education and training system. Within this context, SCHAVAN announced her intention of bringing before cabinet key issues relating to the recognition of vocational qualifications acquired abroad, her aim being to ensure that a transparent process was in place for the recognition of foreign qualifications in Germany.
Federal Minister of Education ANNETTE SCHAVAN and BIBB President MANFRED KREMER at the press conference (photo: BIBB/ES)
At a joint press conference with BIBB President MANFRED KREMER, Minister SCHAVAN made reference to the coalition agreement concluded by the new Federal Government in elaborating on five main initial and continuing training focuses to be addressed in the near future.
1. Quality pact for training: the minister reaffirmed the objective of continuing to offer training leading to a vocational qualification for every willing and capable young person. She stated that even though the training balance for 2009 had been pleasing - notwithstanding the economic crisis - action needed to be taken to foster the attractiveness, quality and flexibility of the dual training system, especially in the light of the decrease in the number of training place applicants occasioned by demographic developments. In individual terms, this affects the following aspects:
. quality assurance of the in-company training process;
. training for trainers and examiners;
. the promotion of attractive additional VET qualifications for gifted young people;
. the creation of occupational groups with common basic training and differentiated specialised levels;
. the use of training modules;
. the further development of inter-company vocational training centres to create competence centres and
. the international opening up of training.
2. Alliance for continuing vocational training: in the light of the reduction in the number of school leavers occasioned by demographic developments and longer working lifetimes, educational and training guidance should be made more easily accessible to all. Small and medium-sized companies in particular need to be provided with support for the continuing training of their staff.
3. All qualifications must provide connectivity: "We can no longer accept the fact that many young people end up in waiting loops from which they are not provided with sufficient connectivity to training. In common with other economies, the German economy will soon be in urgent need of every young person", said Minister SCHAVAN. She announced an investigation into the transitional system which would include all relevant stakeholders in order to produce an efficient and connective structure.
In addition, a broadly based initiative should be launched to recognise risks with young people at an early stage and provide helpful counter measures. "Prevention needs to take precedence over repair. We have to work in conjunction with the federal states to deliver a greater degree of individual fostering and support whilst young people are still at school. This includes qualified vocational orientation. We will also overhaul the transitional system to provide a connective structure."
BIBB President MANFRED KREMER believes that restructuring and further development of the transitional system within vocational training are one of the core tasks facing VET policy and BIBB over the coming four years. "This is an area where a fundamental rethink is required. The money used to fund waiting loops, some of which are superfluous to requirements, is much better invested in providing early-stage fostering and support for young people's individual educational development."
MANFRED KREMER also went on to say, however, that trade and industry had a part to play via such aspects as the establishment and expansion of in-company training preparation. Minister SCHAVAN indicated that the piloting of training modules would be continued with the support of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) JOBSTARTER CONNECT Programme.
4. An education and training initiative for migrants: Minister SCHAVAN made reference to the fact that the educational integration of young people from a migrant background continues to be insufficient and called for the creation of support provision which takes special cultural characteristics into account. In addition to this, specific measures aimed at winning the support of entrepreneurs from a migrant background for dual training should be pushed through and a nationwide information and advisory network put in place. For this reason, we will continue to expand our KAUSA (Coordination Office for Training in Foreign-Owned Companies) programme area. The aim of this programme is to improve the migrant background in companies which themselves have migrant owners.
5. The educational concept of lifelong learning requires a rethink within the educational system and closer alignment to learning outcomes. The Federal Government is keen to give high priority to driving forwards the development and implementation of new instruments for the recording, evaluation and accreditation of competences acquired by non-formal means (e.g. via long periods of practical experience). The aim here is to improve connectivity and connectivity opportunities for people not in possession of a formal vocational qualification.
The Minister announced that the BMBF would act in conjunction with the relevant VET stakeholders from the Federal Government, the federal states, trade and industry and the trade unions to agree a specific action plan for the five main areas of focus stated. SCHAVAN thanked the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training for the energetic past support it had provided for regulatory, research and programme work and emphasised that BIBB would continue to play an important role in this regard in future.
