Print version Recommend this page Press release
04/ 2011
Bonn, 02.02.2011
From classical literature to modern e-commerce: bookseller training updated
The book and media branch is undergoing rapid change. The requirements made on employees within the sector are shifting as the significance of new Internet distribution channels (e-commerce) and the electronic book (e-book) continues to grow. In order to be able to provide young skilled workers in this diverse branch with future oriented training, the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) has updated the training regulations for the occupation of bookseller, which date from 1998. This process is commissioned by the Federal Government and takes place in conjunction with the social partners and representatives of the federal states. Alongside the consideration now accorded to the new distribution channels, the most important aspects of this modernisation are customer orientation, customer loyalty, marketing and the integration of elective and additional qualifications into the new training regulations. The training regulations enter into force on 1 August 2001.
The previous retail book trade, publishing trade and antiquarian book trade specialist areas included within the training have now been reconstituted to form "elective qualifications units", each of six months' duration. All trainees are required to complete one of these units. There are also three further three-month units from which trainees also select one unit which is in accordance with their own individual training focus and which fits in with their own occupational environment. These elective units provide training alternatives in the fields of design of a specific product group, book trade projects or e-business in the book trade.
All trainees have the opportunity to select one of the three-month units they have not chosen as an additional qualification. This enables the trainees to acquire competences and skills extending beyond actual training content whilst they are still completing their apprenticeship. These additional qualifications are tested by means of a separate examination and documented on the certificate awarded. For this reason, such provision is mainly aimed at particularly high-ability trainees.
The occupation of bookseller has followed the occupation of specialist retail assistant for the music branch to become the second updated training occupation for which additional qualifications have been directly integrated into the training regulations with reference to § 49 of the Vocational Training Act (BBiG).
The occupation of bookseller is attracting increased interest. 664 new training contracts were concluded in 2010, a rise of 91 compared to the previous year. The proportion of female trainees is just under 84 percent.
For further (German language) information, please visit www.bibb.de/de/52151.htm .
Picture material is available at http://www.bibb.de/pressefoto.
Contact partner at BIBB: Silvia Annen
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