New man at the helm at BIBB
Translated by: Sarah Zimmer, English Language Service
Professor Dr Friedrich Hubert Esser assumed office as the new president of the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training on 1 May 2011. He succeeds Manfred Kremer who had headed the Institute since July 2005.
We would like to introduce BIBB's new president - direct and authentic - with the help of three questions from our BWP editorial office and Professor Esser's answers.
Professor Esser you assumed office as BIBB's new president on the first of May. What, in your opinion, makes the Institute an exceptional institution in the vocational education and training field in Germany?
Professor Dr Esser: The reason BIBB is the exceptional institution in the vocational education and training field in Germany is because its more than 600 staff members apply their skills and expertise to handling and solving issues and problems which affect all levels of the vocational education and training system. At BIBB, VET topics and issues can be examined and addressed first and foremost on a scientific basis, in education policy terms and with an eye to subsequent implementation. And all this in close proximity to the most important stakeholders in the vocational education and training system: These would primarily be the social partners in their capacity as organisations that represent VET practitioners, the relevant ministries at federal and state level, and the research community. BIBB's premium products are therefore its contributions to vocational training research, its advisory services for the political sector and the important impetus and ideas it provides for day-to-day VET practice and which are particularly needed directly on location 0 high-quality one-stop shopping, so to speak. No other body in Germany can offer this!
What opportunities and challenges do you see in connection with heading the Institute?
Professor Dr Esser: Following the reform decade from 2000 to 2010, I am expecting an implementation decade in the VET sector until the year 2020. We have numerous proposals on the table for progressively developing and improving the vocational education and training system, such as proposals from the German Qualification Initiative. Further action must now be taken. In light of this situation I consider that the special opportunity I have as president of this institute lies in putting existing know-how to use in cooperation with BIBB staff members to further develop and improve vocational education and training in Germany, building up new competence and expertise, and developing energy and momentum that will enrich the VET scene. In this connection, I feel it is also vital to maintain BIBB's standing as the opinion leader in the VET scene. A particular challenge in this regard will be to bundle the ideas and contributions from various bodies and areas of expertise at BIBB 0 as high-quality output, so to speak 0 and to ensure we have the resources and conditions we will need at BIBB for excellent research, development and implementation in the future.
What are the main topics in the vocational education and training field that you would like to advance in the coming years?
Professor Dr Esser: I will continue working in those areas that have occupied me both as a researcher and as a VET policy player in the past, namely: increasing equivalence, permeability and recognition in vocational education and training and continually improving conditions for vocational teaching and learning directly on location. Looking at the coming years, this will particularly entail supporting the implementation of the EQF and GQF, promoting the national and international compatibility of educational pathways and the recognition of certificates and/or learning outcomes between subsystems, progressively developing communication between research and practice as an accepted paradigm, and acting as a service provider for VET practitioners on the ground.
What do you wish your predecessor for his retirement?
Professor Dr Esser: I would like to wish Manfred Kremer lasting health and vitality for his retirement so that he can pursue his numerous interests for many years to come and, most importantly, enjoy life, relaxed and content.
