Print version Recommend this page Press release
47/ 2010
Bonn, 16.12.2010
BIBB Board issues opinion on the German Qualifications Framework and on permeability between vocational education and training and university-level education
The Board of the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) issued an opinion on two important vocational education policy issues at a meeting held in Bonn on 15 December 2010:
In its resolution on the development of a German Qualifications Framework (GQF), the BIBB Board welcomed the draft GQF and stressed that the draft GQF constitutes a fundamental prerequisite for fostering transparency, equivalence and permeability in and between education systems 0 at both national and international level. The Board pointed out that from a VET-policy standpoint, it should particularly be noted that "the special features of the German vocational training system were taken into account in the GQF's terminology and architecture". The Board considers it vital that the forthcoming work to implement the GQF (particularly the referencing of certificates) be continued in a consensus between relevant representatives of the different areas of education.
In its recommendation on promoting permeability between vocational training and university-level education, the BIBB Board emphasized that this issue "is very important in light of the growing importance of lifelong learning, ensuring broad educational opportunities and the emerging shortage of skilled labour". The BIBB Board suggested a number of concrete measures for fostering the transition from vocational training to university studies and tailoring study conditions according to need. These measures include incorporating provisions for crediting formal vocational qualifications into examination regulations at universities, expanding study programmes that allow individuals to complete university studies while continuing to work, and more intensive information and guidance. In this connection, the BIBB Board also acknowledged the recently-published study "Learning for jobs" (www.oecd.org/edu/learningforjobs), in which the OECD also advocates improving permeability between vocational training and university education.
Under German law, the BIBB Board has the task of advising the German government on fundamental issues involving vocational education and training. Representation on the Board is equally divided between labour, management, Germany's federal states and the federal government.
The German texts of both opinions issued by the BIBB Board are available for download:
- BIBB Board's resolution on the GQF : http://www.bibb.de/dokumente/pdf/HA-Entschliessung_zum_DQR_.pdf
- BIBB Board's resolution on permeability: http://www.bibb.de/dokumente/pdf/HA-Empfehlung_zur_Durchlaessigkeit.pdf
