Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung (BIBB)

Joblessness linked to type of school-leaving-certificate

In the first six years after completion of a dual-system apprenticeship, the percentage in fully fledged employment is 60.8% on average (cf. Table 1). Even so, 26.2% are in precarious employment and some 13% are jobless. A particularly significant factor for progression into fully fledged employment is the level of school-leaving certificate previously attained in the general school system.

In the group with better school-leaving certificates, there is a marked decline in joblessness (18.5% for those with a lower secondary school-leaving certificate (Hauptschulabschluss) and 12.3% with a general secondary school-leaving certificate (Mittlere Reife), but only 7.5% for those with the Abitur or higher education entrance qualification). Holders of the Abitur are also less affected by precarious employment, although here the differences are far less clear (varying between 2.5 and 0.4 percentage points depending on the type of school-leaving certificate). The percentage in fully fledged employment rises significantly with the level of their school-leaving qualification (lower secondary school-leaving certificate: 55.1%; general secondary school-leaving certificate: 60.9%; higher education entrance qualification: 68.2%).

Employment Status found to differ by initial vocational training field

However, the level of the school-leaving qualification is not the only factor that improves the chances of fully fledged employment after completing a dual-system initial vocational qualification. On the basis of the data analysed for this study, certain initial vocational training fields 1 could be identified in which fully fledged employment seems a more likely outcome than in others (cf. Table 2).

If the total percentage of those in fully fledged employment (60.8%) is considered as a threshold value, then there are indeed certain initial vocational training fields (shaded blue) in which the proportion in fully fledged employment exceeds the threshold value regardless of the type of school-leaving certificate held. The initial vocational training fields in question are 'Electrical occupations', 'Industrial and tools mechanics', 'Banking and insurance specialists' and 'Non-licensed health occupations'. In all of these initial vocational training fields, the percentages in fully fledged and precarious employment bear almost no correlation with the level of school-leaving qualification achieved. However, the percentage of jobless is always highest among those with lower secondary or elementary school-leaving certificates and always lowest among Abitur holders.

Equally, fields of training can be identified in which the percentage of jobless is always higher than the total percentage of jobless (13%) regardless of the level of school-leaving qualification achieved, and the percentage in fully fledged employment is always lower than the total percentage in fully fledged employment (60.8%). In this case, the fields of initial vocational training concerned are the 'Construction occupations, wood and plastic working and processing', 'Agriculture, livestock management, forestry and horticulture', 'Hygiene occupations' and, with reservations, also 'Cooks and chefs'. In this last initial vocational training field and in 'Sales occupations (retail)' and 'Hygiene occupations', levels of precarious employment are found to exceed 30%.

In all other initial vocational training fields, occupational status differs significantly according to the type of school-leaving qualification achieved. With the exception of one initial vocational training field - 'Vehicle and aircraft construction, servicing occupations' - it can be concluded that, within a given initial vocational training field, the higher the school-leaving qualification from general education, the higher the proportion of dual-system qualification holders in fully fledged employment and the lower the proportion without jobs. Among those in precarious employment, the degree of correlation varies from one initial vocational training field to another. The level of precarious employment in most initial vocational training fields varies between 20 and 30 per cent. Thus, it appears that the type of school-leaving qualification achieved has more of an effect on the distribution of fully fledged employment and unemployment.

Conclusion: On the basis of the data analysed here, it can be stated that in almost all initial vocational training fields, a correlation is found between level of school-leaving qualification and joblessness after completion of a dual-system qualification. Nevertheless, there are certain initial vocational training fields in which equal opportunities for fully fledged employment exist, regardless of the school-leaving qualification achieved.

Literature (in German only)
TIEMANN , M. et al.: Berufsfeld-Definitionen des BIBB auf Basis der Klassifikation der Berufe 1992. Academic Research Discussion Papers of the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB), Issue 105. Bonn 2008 - URL: www.bibb.de/veroeffentlichungen/de/publication/show/id/2080 (viewed 24.2.2010)

Data basis and operationalisation

To study the process of integration into employment after completion of initial vocational training, employment status is studied for a period of up to six years after qualification. The data basis consists of Microcensus data for the survey years 2005 to 2007. The population studied are working people whose highest vocational qualification is a dual-system apprenticeship. The analysis of integration into employment not only differentiates between employment and joblessness but also between fully fledged and precarious employment status.

• Employment is deemed to be precarious when it cannot guarantee a secure long-term livelihood. For the purposes of this study, work is defined as precarious employment if it takes the form of a fixed-term contract or if earnings are below two-thirds of the average income for the cohort of dual-system qualification holders.
  If the above criteria are not met, it is deemed to be a typical, standard employment contract, i.e. fully fledged employment.
  

Table 1
Employment status of dual-system qualification holders, by school-leaving certificate

*Source: Figures projected from Microcensus 2005-2007 data; own calculations.

Table 2
Employment status by initial vocational training field and school-leaving certificate, six years after completion of a dual-system apprenticeship

* Number of people surveyed < 50 within this school-certificate type.
** Source: Figures projected from Microcensus 2005-2007 data; own calculations; all figures stated as row percentages.

From BWP 2/2010

footnotes:

1 In this context an 'initial vocational training field' (Ausbildungsfeld) is a grouping of several training occupations involving similar activities. Tiemann et al. (2008) assign all of Germany's recognised occupations to 54 different 'occupational fields'. The term 'initial vocational training field' is used here to maintain a clear distinction between a recognised training occupation (Ausbildungsberuf) and the job eventually performed in the workplace (Erwerbsberuf).

Last modified on: August 11, 2010