Print version Recommend this page Press release
10/ 2011
Bonn, 04.03.2011
Women underrepresented in 'dual' vocational training
Women continue to be in the minority in 'dual' vocational training (which combines part-time vocational schooling with practical work experience). In 2010, young women signed 42% of all new contracts for dual vocational training in Germany. In general, the percentage of women undergoing dual vocational training in Germany has remained virtually unchanged since 1992. Given that women constitute some 49% of the total population, women are clearly underrepresented in the dual vocational training system. These findings are from longitudinal observations that were conducted by the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) and are being published on the occasion of International Women's Day which is observed worldwide every year on 8 March. This year marks the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day.
These longitudinal times series were based on vocational training statistics from Germany's Federal Statistical Office and state statistical offices. This data reveals sizable differences between the individual sectors of the economy. For example, the share of women undergoing vocational training in the domestic science field or in the area of the liberal professions tops 90%. Looking at occupations in the civil service field, the share of women undergoing vocational training has increased markedly, rising from approximately 51% in 1992 to 63% - 65% in the years since 1998. The overall share of women undergoing vocational training in trade and industry averages approximately 40%.
Women continue to be significantly underrepresented in the skilled trades. They accounted for only 24% of all trainees in this area in 2009. Women's numbers are also on the decline among trainees in agriculture: Women constituted more than 35% of all trainees in the agri-culture field in 1992. This figure dropped to approximately 23% in 2009.
Marked differences can also be observed between 'training occupations' (occupations which require completion of formal vocational training) in the individual sectors. For example, women still constitute only a very small share of all trainees in technical training occupations despite considerable efforts and campaigns. One example of this is the occupation information technology specialist (in trade and industry) where women constitute only 6% of all trainees.
All in all, there is a marked gender-specific 'occupational divide'. The differences in the occu-pational patterns for men and women have remained virtually unchanged since the mid1980s. Even in 2009, nearly 60% of all female trainees found a training place for a training occupation that is dominated by women / in which primarily women are to be found. Also in 2009, less than 20% of all female trainees had a training place in a male-dominated training occupation / a training occupation in which primarily men are to be found. The classification system used by BIBB designates training occupations with fewer than 20% men as a "training occupation that is dominated by women" and training occupations with less than 40% men as a "training occupation in which primarily women are to be found".
The following contain further information on this subject in German:
BIBB Survey on New Training Contracts as of 30 September: www.bibb.de/naa309
The BIBB Datenbank Auszubildende (Trainee Database) which is based on the vocational training statistics of the Federal Statistical Office and state statistical offices: www.bibb.de/dazubi
Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (Ed.): Datenreport zum Berufsbildungsbericht 2011 (Data Report to the Report on Vocational Education and Training for the Year 2011).
Information and analyses on the development of vocational education and training: www.bibb.de/datenreport (to be released in April 2011).
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