Print version Recommend this page Press release
20/ 2010
Bonn, 27.05.2010
Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training celebrates its 40th anniversary in Bonn
BIBB President Kremer: "Good training must become a seal of quality for future oriented companies"
Speaking in front of 450 guests gathered in Bonn for an event to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Institute, BIBB President Manfred Kremer stated: "the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training can look back on 40 years of successful work in the field of initial and advanced VET. Such a perspective provides us with the courage we require to look to the future with confidence." In light of the diverse nature of current and future challenges, he added: "there is nothing which vocational training requires more in future than the clear and incorruptible scrutiny of independent and inquisitive researchers, of clever and prudent advisors and of creative and innovative organisers. BIBB's unique roots in vocational education and training practice and research mean that it has always been able to fulfil these roles and will continue to do so."
The BIBB President formally presented Federal Minister of Education Annette Schavan with the documentation prepared to mark the anniversary "40 Years of BIBB: 40 years of Researching - Advising - Shaping the Future". "This very special publication", Manfred Kremer continued, "offers an informative and entertaining journey through time covering the eventful and influential 40-year history of the Institute and the story of vocational education and training in Germany during this period."
Federal Minister of Education Annette Schavan paid tribute to the successful work of BIBB, which she described as "trailblazing". She explained that in order to make VET policy decisions the Federal Government required analyses and prognoses which had their foundations in reliable academic research surveys and methods, and went on to say how pleasing it was in this regard that BIBB was able to produce such good work in the areas of networking with university research institutions, the fostering of up-and-coming academic talent and the setting up of a research data centre. "This academic research expertise is something which the Federal Government very much needs given the growing demands being placed on vocational training", she added.
Manfred Kremer emphasised that the major tasks facing BIBB in future would include further modernisation of in-company initial and continuing vocational education and training and the ensuring of a high degree of quality. He stated that modern initial and continuing VET provision flexibly aligned to the requirements of the companies was the only means via which the skilled workers needed in the future could be secured. He also explained that growing significance would be accorded to quality assurance in particular. "Good training must become a seal of quality for future oriented companies. This is an area in which BIBB will bring more forces to bear in future."
The BIBB President announced that the Institute would continue to offer robust support for the initiatives being undertaken by the Federal Government to structure the transitional system in a more efficient manner. "This can take place via such vehicles as the design and implementation of a large number of VET policy programmes and pilot projects." These currently included programmes relating to vocational orientation, sustainable development, quality assurance in small and medium-sized companies and the fostering of specific target groups.
Manfred Kremer also stressed that BIBB viewed the closer interlinking of training courses and better permeability between such courses as further "future commandments". "Access to higher education study or recognition and crediting of qualifications gained in vocational education and training and company practice towards a higher education course of study must be improved", he said, adding that this was also "urgently necessary" with regard to Europe.
Manfred Kremer went on to say that this was the reason why BIBB would continue to expand its international relationships and advisory services. This was an area in which "vocational training had to have priority", he explained. "The dual system of vocational education and the strong degree of practical alignment it displays are held in the very highest regard in a large number of countries." Countries from Central America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, India and from as far afield as Asia are all enquiring about BIBB's advisory services in ever greater numbers." Manfred Kremer also, however, viewed such recognition as an obligation for the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training to "continue to develop the German VET system in a practically oriented and requirements related manner and to pay attention to international connectivity".
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Publication "40 Years of BIBB: 40 years of Researching - Advising - Shaping the Future" (available for download free of charge, German language resource)
