Print version Recommend this page Press release
02/ 2011
Bonn, 13.01.2011
Results of an Experts Survey by the BIBB and the Bertelsmann Foundation:
System of Transition between School and Vocational Training in Urgent Need of Reform
The system of transition between school and vocational training is in urgent need of reform. That was the conclusion reached by about 500 vocational education and training experts who assessed the current conditions at the point of transition between school and vocational training in the context of a recent study by the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) and the Bertelsmann Foundation. A large majority, 89 per cent, de-clared that there was a lack of effectiveness in the utilisation of funds and personnel in the transition system. More than three-quarters of the specialists were critical of the fact that it was virtually impossible to keep track of the multitude of different schemes and training courses. In spite of all the aspects that need reforming, the transition system is absolutely indispensable: 81 per cent of the vocational education and training specialists are of the opinion that in the future schemes and activities will continue to be needed to assist young people in making the transition from school to vocational education and training.
In the year 2009 there were still about 347 000 young people starting some scheme for mak-ing the transition between school and vocational education and training. Specialists estimate that this entails annual costs of more than four billion euros. Often it is young people from less privileged households that have problems choosing a career and finding an apprenticeship. Against that background, the experts insist that more preventive action needs to be taken starting in the schools of general education: More that 80 per cent would like to see "vocational orientation" taught as in independent subject. It should be mandatory for all school students for several years. In addition, all vulnerable young people should be provided with individual monitoring of the transition from school to vocational education and training by someone they trust. When the training runs into difficulties, for example when there is a danger of the training being discontinued, 85 per cent of the experts insisted that companies should be able to call on an external personal contact without having to pay for the service.
In the opinion of Bertelsmann Foundation board member Dr. Jörg Dräger, Germany sim-ply can no longer afford to have so many young people get their training only by detours or waiting loops or be dumped into the labour market without any vocational training at all. "We need clear and transparent transition pathways that benefit young people and give them the chance of finding a training place", says Dräger.
"The many programmes and initiatives in which new approaches to support for young people in making the transition from school to vocational education and training are being tested have to be better linked together", says BIBB President Manfred Kremer. There is too much going on side be side in an uncoordinated manner and even specialists find it hard to keep abreast of things. Now this study shows which of the existing approaches from the point of view of the various vocational education and training stakeholders ought to be expanded and consolidated.
For this study, about 500 vocational education and training specialists from all over Germany were polled in autumn 2010 in the context of the BIBB's "Expert Monitor for Vocational Education and Training". The specialists were from a variety of institutions, such as com-panies, schools, inter-company training centres, chambers, employers' associations, trade unions and research establishments.
The joint BIBB and Bertelsmann Foundation Study on "Reform of the Transition from School to Initial Vocational Education and Training: Current Proposals Evaluated by Young People and Vocational Education and Training Experts" can be accessed free of charge under www.expertenmonitor.de.
Contact at BIBB:
Andreas Krewerth, Tel.: 0228 / 107-1110
E-mail: krewerth@bibb.de
Contact at the Bertelsmann Foundation:
Christine Gouverneur, Tel.: 05241 / 8181 413
E-mail: christine.gouverneur@bertelsmann-stiftung.de
BIBB and Bertelsmann Foundation are publishing this press release simultaneously.
Reprint free of charge, voucher copy requested
