Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung (BIBB)

China benefits from Germany's experience with quality assurance in vocational training

China's Central Institute for Vocational and Technical Education (CIVTE) and BIBB conducted a workshop for VET experts in Peking on 18 and 19 October 2011. This was the first joint expert-level workshop between the two institutes since the signing of a cooperation agreement in May 2001.
The workshop revolved around the issue of Quality Assurance in Initial and Continuing Vocational Training.

Read more China benefits from Germany's experience with quality assurance in vocational training

BIBB's fifth partners meeting in Seoul

BIBB's first meeting with its partner institutes in Southeast Asia (China/CIVTE, South Korea/KRIVET, Singapore/IAL and Vietnam/NIVT) was held in Seoul, South Korea, from 12 - 14 October 2011. This was BIBB's fifth partners meeting and was prepared in cooperation with KRIVET. BIBB established this form of contact with international partners in 2006 when it hosted a first such meeting in Bonn. These meetings have been conducted at regional level since 2010.

BIBB's fifth partners meeting in Seoul

Fourth meeting of the German-Indian Working Group on Vocational Education and Training held in Munich from 10 - 13 October

The fourth meeting of the German-Indian Working Group on Vocational Education and Training was held in Munich from 10 - 13 October 2011. The Indian delegation was headed by the new state secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE), Mr Mrutyunjay Sarangi, who was accompanied by other high-ranking representatives of the MoLE, the Ministry of Finance, the National Skills Development Corporation (NSDC), the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

Fourth meeting of the German-Indian Working Group on Vocational Education and Training held in Munich from 10 - 13 October

Columbia learning from Germany's 'dual' system

Columbia wants to reform its vocational training system and bring it more into line with the needs of the labour market. In order to do this, it wants to learn from Germany's 'dual' vocational training system (which combines part-time vocational schooling with practical work experience) and develop lines of action for itself.

Columbia learning from Germany's 'dual' system

BWP Special Edition 2011

Trends in German VET 2011/2012

The articles compiled in this special edition offer an overview of current trends and developments within the German system of vocational education and training, with a particular focus on questions of skills shortage, permeability and monitoring VET. By making them available in English, we wish to foster the exchange of ideas and experiences about VET on an international level in order to give new impulses for the discussion and development of vocational education and training.

Read more BWP Special Edition 2011

BIBB's VET cooperation with India

The Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) is an important partner to the Indian government in its efforts to reform its vocational education and training system. BIBB president Professor Dr Friedrich Hubert Esser, who was also a member of the German delegation attending the German-Indian government consultations, remarked: "As a rising economic power, India has set itself the goal of providing vocational training for some 500 million people by the year 2022. The Indian government is counting on German assistance and particularly on BIBB's expertise to help it master this enormous task. The German dual vocational training system with its unique combination of theory and practice is very attractive for India. Through its advisory services BIBB can make a sizable contribution to the progressive development of India's vocational education and training system."

Read more BIBB's VET cooperation with India

Dialogue with US-partners intensified

From 6 to 9 June 2001, two VET experts from BIBB met with representatives of the Department of Education, the Department of Labor and other institutions from the vocational education and training field in Washington, D.C. and with collaborative partners at a summer workshop in Lexington, Kentucky. . The meetings in Washington, D.C. revolved around the resumption of the dialogue launched last year with the US Department of Education regarding the next steps for future collaboration and around establishing contact with the experts at the Department of Labor who are responsible for vocational education and training.

Read more Dialogue with US-partners intensified

Important visitors of the Republic of Moldova

The minister of education of the Republic of Moldova, Mihail Sleahtitchi, was welcomed at BIBB by Birgit Thomann, head of Department 1 - Cross Sectional Tasks / Communication / International Vocational Education and Training - of the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB), on 21 June 2011. Minister Sleahtitchi was visiting Germany with a delegation of VET experts at the invitation of the Koblenz Chamber of Skilled Crafts and Small Businesses. Other members of the delegation included the chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Education and Science of the Republic of Moldova, Chiril Lucinschi, the president of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of the Republic of Moldova, Gheorghe Cucu, and the vice-president of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of the Republic of Moldova, Vladimir Didilica. BIBB experts briefed the guests on the fundamentals of the German 'dual' vocational training system (which combines part-time schooling with practical work experience) and BIBB's role within the system, and on its regulatory work and the examination system.

Chile interested in the German 'dual' vocational training system

A high-level delegation from Chile made an information-gathering visit to BIBB on 25-26 May 2011. The trip had the aim of obtaining in-depth information about BIBB's role and the 'dual' vocational training system in Germany (which combines part-time schooling with practical work experience).

Read more Chile interested in the German 'dual' vocational training system

Cooperation agreement signed with China

BIBB signs cooperation agreement on international collaboration in the vocational education and training field with China's Central Institute for Vocational and Technical Education (CIVTE).
China's vocational education and training system is currently undergoing structural reform. As part of its 2010-2020 National Plan, the Chinese government plans to strongly modernize the country's education system and, in particular, its vocational training system.

Read more Cooperation agreement signed with China

The German vocational training system presents itself in Shanghai

BIBB recently presented the German vocational training system in Shanghai at the invitation of the National Association of Vocational Education of China (NAVEC).
The International Vocational Education Forum 2011 was held in Shanghai on 10-11 May 2011. It was organized by NAVEC in conjunction with the Shanghai Municipal Government.

Read more The German vocational training system presents itself in Shanghai

BIBB Signs Cooperation Agreement with Colombia

From 12 to 14 April 2011, a high-level delegation led by the Columbian President, Dr. Juan Manuel Santos made a visit to Germany. In this context a high-level German-Columbian meeting to intensify and expand cooperation in the fields of education, science, research and innovation took place on 13 April in Berlin. On this occasion, BIBB President Manfred Kremer and the General Director of the Columbian SENA (National Apprenticeship Service/Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje), Camilo Bernal signed a cooperation agreement.

Read more BIBB Signs Cooperation Agreement with Colombia

International vocational education and training symposium in China

The "ASEM Symposium - Attractiveness and Employability in Technical and Vocational Training and Education" took place in Qingdao (China) on 11 and 12 January 2011. The Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) is an informal dialogue forum used for policy cooperation between the various countries involved. The symposium was organised by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research acting in conjunction with the Chinese Ministry of Education and the ASEM Secretariat.

Read more International vocational education and training symposium in China

Pilot project from BIBB, SEQUA and CONALEP

The "training of trainers" and the "integration of the Mexican private economy" into the Mexican vocational education and training system are two of the important main focuses of the work being conducted within the scope of the cooperation between BIBB and the Mexican national VET provider CONALEP (Colegio Nacional de Educación Profesional Técnica/National School System for Technical Vocational Education and Training).

Read more Pilot project from BIBB, SEQUA and CONALEP

BIBB Honoured for its Franco-German Exchange Initiative

The Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) was honoured at the celebration marking the 30th anniversary of the Franco-German vocational education and training exchange program in Saarbrücken Castle on Thursday, November 18, 2010, together with some other German-French exchange projects. The BIBB had initiated an initial exchange for trainees from different Bonn institutions in France last year.

Dr. Helge Braun, Parliamentary State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, not only praised the BIBB for the exemplary project developed jointly by the German and French trainees, but expressly stated that this first exchange in the field of public service was due to the initiative of the BIBB.

Expansion of cooperation between BIBB and the Korean vocational training institute KRIVET

An extension to the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between BIBB and the Korean vocational training institute KRIVET (Korean Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training) agreed in May 2010 during the celebrations to mark BIBB's 40th anniversary has now served as the basis for a reciprocal visit to KRIVET by BIBB. The specific occasion of this visit was the joint drawing up of a "road map" regarding the content of the further cooperation to be pursued by the two institutes.

Read more Expansion of cooperation between BIBB and the Korean vocational training institute KRIVET

BIBB advisory services in Egypt

"Building an Egyptian BIBB" was the request the International Cooperation and Advisory Services Section of the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) was commissioned with by the Industrial Training Council (ITC) of the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) of Egypt.

In the frame of four week-long missions between March and September 2010, BIBB advised the ITC management on the following topics: 

1. Mission 1: Vision and Mission Statement (February 2010) 
2. Mission 2: Strategic Objectives (May 2010) 
3. Mission 3: Performance Management System (July2010) 
4. Mission 4: Key-Work Processes & Standard Operating Procedures (September 2010)
   
   

Read more BIBB advisory services in Egypt

iMOVE Seminar: British and German Export of Education and Training

On 29 and 30 April 2010 iMOVE held the first British-German seminar on export of education and training. The bilateral event in Bonn was organized in cooperation with British government organizations UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) and TVET UK. The seminar offered the participating British and German providers of education and training a unique opportunity to share their international experience and explore possibilities of future collaborative projects.

Regional workshop in Belgrade

BIBB conducted a regional workshop in Belgrade on 15 and 16 April 2010 in collaboration with Serbia's vocational education and training institute with the aim of giving new impetus to the exchange of information about VET experience. In addition to BIBB, the workshop was attended by vocational training institutions from Bulgaria, Montenegro, Austria, Romania, Serbia and Hungary. Not only was a topical subject ("Development of Qualification Needs and Offerings in Southeastern Europe") discussed at the workshop, the idea behind partner conferences was also implemented in the form of a contact forum which participants made active use of for bilateral talks.

"Au revoir" and "Alles Gute"

First exchange of trainees with France in Bonn government offices successfully completed

It is a matter of course for many school students, and now it ought to become a firm component of vocational education and training: acquiring skills and experience through time spent abroad. It was for that purpose that the Federal Institute for Vocational Training (BIBB) initiated the first exchange for trainees from different Bonn institutions, and on 25 March 2010 it said goodbye to the 13 French young people who had been working in Bonn from 8 to 26 March in the presence of Angelica Maria Kappel, mayor of Bonn, Jean-Marie Haas, head of the partner school from Forbach in Lorraine and representatives of the participating German and French institutions.

Read more "Au revoir" and "Alles Gute"

Press release 25.3.2010

didacta: Training/Qualification Forum

International collaboration in the vocational education and training field

During the didacta 2010 education trade fair in Cologne, BIBB conducted several informational events revolving around issues in the area of international vocational education and training (VET) collaboration. Speakers included Ms Julia Schmidt from the Advisory Services and International Cooperation section at BIBB. She presented the new BIBB VET system-based consultation concept and illustrated it with two examples (Egypt and Vietnam).

Read more didacta: Training/Qualification Forum

BIBB intensifies cooperation with Mexico

The Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) hosted a high-ranking delegation from its Mexican partner institution CONALEP (Colegio Nacional de Educación Profesional Técnica/National College of Technical Professional Education) in Bonn from 22 to 24 March 2010. The aim of the visit was to intensify bilateral cooperation and define key areas for future collaboration.
CONALEP is a decentralised public institution that operates in all 32 of Mexico's federal states.

Read more BIBB intensifies cooperation with Mexico

Expert workshop "Methods and instruments for the evaluation and monitoring of VET systems"

The two international sections in BIBB "International Advisory Services" and "European VET Policies/International Benchmarking and Monitoring"  organized an expert workshop "Methods and instruments for the evaluation and monitoring of VET systems" in Königswinter. With the motto Advisory meets Research over 50 international experts in this field met to discuss and share information. The contributions addressed the following topics:

1. System description  
   A lot of more or less extensive descriptions of the genesis and development of VET systems are available. Most of them are elaborated to provide background knowledge for people who are not familiar with the respective national VET system.
2. Indicators & benchmarks
   Supervising the 'status quo' or heading towards certain targets - both instruments are mainly used to compare internationally and to advise national policy makers. 
3. Peer review and peer learning
   In addition to evidence-based policy that is informed by statistics and strictly controlled methodologies of data gathering peer review and learning activities use the opinions of experts based on 'at the spot' visits. Different inbound or outbound exchanges exist as well as combinations with quantitative methodologies. Their relevance and effectiveness as regards policy impact has been discussed.

BIBB at WorldDidac Asia in Bangkok

BIBB conducted a workshop on the subject of "How can the German VET industry support the reform process in Thailand" together with the Office of Vocational Education Commission (OVEC) at the Ministry of Education of Thailand and Germany's DIDACTA association at this year's WorldDidac Asia which was held in Bangkok from 28-30 October 2009. More than 200 individuals - mostly directors of technical vocational schools and industry representatives - attended the workshop in Bangkok.

Read more BIBB at WorldDidac Asia in Bangkok

BIBB trainees back from first exchange in France

Trainees from BIBB and other Bonn-based government bodies took part in a three-week exchange in September during which they experienced everyday work life in France and completed practical placements in commercial occupations at partner institutions in Forbach, Lorraine.
The president of BIBB, Manfred Kremer, visited Forbach to be on hand to mark the successful conclusion of the first exchange with France involving trainees from government agencies in Bonn. While there, Kremer also visited two enterprises in the region that provide in-company vocational training and had hosted trainees from Bonn.
During the ceremony to award the German trainees the Europass Mobility, Manfred Kremer stated, "You have gathered many new impressions. And I hope that you have gained much for your personal development. Experiences of this kind are of great value for your future working life."
Trainees from Forbach will travel to Bonn in March 2010 where they will spend three weeks with their German partners.

Read more BIBB trainees back from first exchange in France

The Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) at the FICCI "Global Skills Summit" in India in August 2009

Germany a strong partner of India in VET

The German Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) conducted a workshop jointly with the Indian Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoL&E) on National Qualifications Frameworks (NQFs) -  "Transparency of Qualifications - Recent developments of National Qualification Frameworks and the story behind them" - Wednesday 19 August 2009 in Delhi. This workshop was kindly hosted by the Federation of Indian Chambers and Industries (FICCI) as pre-conference workshop ahead of the FICCI "Global Skills Summit" which took place 20/21 August in Delhi.

Read more The Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) at the FICCI "Global Skills Summit" in India in August 2009

BIBB and Chinese partners generate new impetus for collaboration in applied vocational training research

In March 2009, Germany's Federal Ministry of Education and Research and its Chinese partners - the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Science and Technology - proclaimed the Sino-German Year of Science and Education . The Sino-German Year of Science and Education will offer an opportunity to incorporate the subject of vocational education and training to a greater degree in Sino-German talks.

Read more BIBB and Chinese partners generate new impetus for collaboration in applied vocational training research

Indian vocational training striking out on new paths - and BIBB is on hand to help

India's government wants to see half of all school leavers undergo vocational training by the year 2020 in order to be in good shape for the labour market. Trade and industry are to play an important role in achieving this goal.

The Indian government invited representatives from the German vocational education and training field to meet with Indian partners from 1 to 4 March to discuss how German players could help strengthen India's vocational education and training system.

Tertiary education in Germany - Blind spots in the OECD's international comparison

The OECD's indicator-based report "Education at a Glance" from 2008 caused a stir in the German press because it gave Germany poor marks for tertiary education. The tertiary graduation rates used in this report are generally singled out as proof for this supposedly poor performance. According to "Education at a Glance" only 21.2 per cent of the typical age cohort in Germany completed a tertiary education programme in 2006. The average for all OECD countries was 37.3 per cent.

Read more Tertiary education in Germany - Blind spots in the OECD's international comparison

BIBB research is well represented in the recently published Handbook of Technical and Vocational Education and Training Research

The first handbook that specifically concentrates on research and research methods in TVET has just been published edited by Felix Rauner, University of Bremen and Rupert Maclean, Unesco Unevoc. The book's sections focus on particular aspects of the field, starting with a presentation of the genesis of TVET research. They further feature research in relation to policy, planning and practice. Various areas of TVET research are covered, including  vocational disciplines and  TVET systems. Case studies illustrate different approaches to TVET research, and the final section of the book presents research methods, including interview and observation methods, as well as experimentation and development. All in all twelve researchers that have worked and work with BIBB have contributed sixteen articles in this Handbook. This demonstrates that BIBB is well embededd in the international discourse of TVET research and that expertise in BIBB can be regarded as state-of-the-art in this interdisciplinary field.

"Dual vocational training's success story "

Film: Vocational Education and Training in Germany - Assuring the Future

The 'dual' vocational training system in Germany (which combines part-time vocational schooling with practical work experience) is a success story: Since it is geared to real work processes in actual day-to-day occupational practice, it enjoys high standing not only at home but also abroad. More and more countries around the world are tapping into the advantages offered by dual vocational training and are turning increasingly to German institutions to learn more about this model. The film "Vocational Education and Training in Germany - Assuring the Future" supports these activities.

Press release 04.09.2008
Film: Vocational Education and Training in Germany - Assuring the Future

ReferNet Country Report Germany 2008

Progress in the policy priority areas for vocational education and training

This Policy Report forms part of the Cedefop ReferNet 2008 work programme. It provides information on Germany's progress in VET towards EU policy goals within the framework of the Copenhagen process and according to the policy priorities defined in the Maastricht Communiqué (2004) and the Helsinki Communiqué (2006). It considers measures taken in the context of the Education and Training 2010 programme since the Copenhagen Declaration.

The national ReferNet policy reports will be one of the main sources Cedefop will use to produce the 2008 review of the Copenhagen Process, in line with its mandate. They will feed into an analysis of policy progress which Cedefop will prepare for the informal meeting of Education Ministers to be held during the French Presidency at Bordeaux on 26 November 2008 as well as into a policy progress report which Cedefop will publish presumably in spring 2009.

• ReferNet Country Report Germany 2008
• ReferNet Germny

Internationalisation of vocational education and training

In light of today's global economic relations and the European Union's political objectives for the year 2010, monitoring and analyzing European and international developments in the vocational education and training (VET) field are of vital importance. Vocational training research that is geared to this provides the foundation for the internationality that is called for in vocational education and training. Objectives in this connection are:

• Fostering workers' international skills;
• System reforms based on international comparisons of structures and performance;
• The creation of a European education area; 
• Fostering the development of efficient vocational education and training systems abroad.
  

Read more Internationalisation of vocational education and training

Towards a National Qualifications Framework for Germany

A broad consensus exists in Germany in the discussion on the draft European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and the possible development of a National Qualifications Framework (NQF):  Education - in the sense of lifelong learning and ensuring the employability of the country's citizens - must be organized and designed with an eye to the macro-objectives that qualifications be transparent, permeable and competence-oriented.1
Research and development being undertaken in this connection aim for a national qualifications framework that covers all fields of education and can interface with other systems or frameworks in Europe. The envisioned NQF will not limit itself to describing academic knowledge and classifying programmes but will be strictly orientated towards competences and vocational proficiency.

Read more Towards a National Qualifications Framework for Germany

Partner conference with 16 European national vocational training institutes

The Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training hosted a conference for 16 vocational training institutes from various European countries from 20 - 21 March 2006. The exchange of views and information on the development of a European Qualifications Network (EQF) for evaluating vocational skills took centre stage at the conference. Questions arise for Germany - and other European countries - regarding the subsequent effects that an EQF will have on national vocational training systems.

Read more Partner conference with 16 European national vocational training institutes