Print version Recommend this page Press release
16/ 2012
Bonn, 11.04.2012
High-ability young people required to enter dual vocational education and training!
Applications now invited for the 2012 "Hermann Schmidt Prize
Germany is experiencing a shortage of up-and-coming skilled workers, and one in three companies nationwide now reports that it is unable to fill vacant training places. Firms are finding it increasingly difficult to secure the young skilled workers they require. This particularly applies in the case of highly motivated and high-ability young people, who prefer to enter higher education rather than pursuing training within the dual system. For this reason, the continuing trend towards higher levels of qualification is exacerbating the recruitment problems that companies are facing. Is the dual system of vocational education and training being sidelined by the growing numbers of young people completing upper secondary school leaving certificates and higher education qualifications? How are companies reacting to this development? What steps are they undertaking and what models are they offering as they seek to hold their own in the competition to secure the best talent? These are issues which are being addressed by the "Innovative Vocational Education and Training Association", the members of which include the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB), as its stages the Hermann Schmidt Prize for the 16th time. The theme for this year's competition is: "Attractiveness of dual vocational education and training for high-ability young people". The deadline for submissions is 25 May 2012.
This year's Hermann Schmidt Prize is seeking to recognise an exemplary model which has been tested in practice and which has succeeded in making dual VET attractive to high-ability young people from all forms of school. Entries which involve small and medium-sized companies are particularly encouraged.
Competition entries should be guided by the following key issues.
- Which activities and concepts are being used to appeal to high-ability young people and to encourage them to enter dual vocational education and training?
- Which approaches characterise these training concepts, e.g. additional qualifications or integrated upgrading and advanced training models? Are new media deployed, and if so, how?
- Which partners are collaborating on the implementation of the model, e.g. companies, inter-company vocational training centres, vocational schools, other VET providers and general schools? What is the nature of the respective contributions made by the partners involved?
- Which career pathways are opened up to trainees following completion of training in the form of training and employment prospects?
Because the competition is focused on the role of dual vocational education and training, entries relating to dual courses of study are excluded.
The Hermann Schmidt Prize is awarded by an independent specialist jury and is endowed with a cash prize in the amount of €3,000. The Innovative Vocational Education and Training Association may also choose to confer prizes on up to three further competition entries which it considers to be of particular merit. Each of these will receive a cash prize of €1,000.
The prize giving ceremony will take place in Bielefeld on 24 October 2012 as part of the 9th Specialist Conference staged by the publishing house W. Bertelsmann Verlag (wbv).
Deadline for entries is 25 May 2012.
The "Innovative Vocational Education and Training Association" formally invites entries to the competition.
Full entry details and forms are available from:
Office of the "Innovative Vocational Education and Training Association"
c/o Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB)
Kerstin Schneider
Robert-Schuman-Platz 3
53175 Bonn
Telephone: 0228 / 107-2823
Fax: 0228 / 107-2981
E-mail: schneider@bibb.de
Internet: www.bibb.de/hermann-schmidt-preis
The aim of the "Innovative Vocational Education and Training Association", which was established as a non-profit making organisation by the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) and the publishing house dem W. Bertelsmann Verlag (wbv) in 1996, is to initiate, promote and publicise innovative developments in VET. The Association awards the annual "Hermann Schmidt Prize" to recognise achievements of particular merit in selected areas of vocational education and training. The competition is named for former BIBB President Professor Hermann Schmidt, who led the institute from 1977 to 1997.
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