Graduate surplus and skilled-worker shortage: Trends in the vocational qualification structure

Felix Bremser, Anna C. Höver, Manuel Schandock

For some considerable time, Germany's vocational qualification structure has shown a trend in the direction of higher qualifications. According to the OECD, however, graduate numbers are still very low in Germany by international comparison and it calls for them to be raised. This article sets out the possible consequences of a one-sided increase in the graduate ratio for the development of the qualification structure of the German population as a whole. To this end, trends in student numbers and transitions between the different qualification segments will be examined. Graphs are used to show the qualification supply and demand trends since 1996 and to carry out projections up to the year 2030 with the help of appropriate model-based calculations.

Read more Graduate surplus and skilled-worker shortage: Trends in the vocational qualification structure

Boosting permeability between vocational training and higher education

Egon Meerten

Enhancing permeability between vocational training and higher education requires target-group-specific transition management. The procedures for crediting vocational competence towards university degree programmes that were piloted under the BMBF - Initiative ANKOM (2005-2008) were a critical milestone in this process. Phase 2 of the BMBF -  Initiative ANKOM was launched in 2012 and takes these results forward. Until 2014, 20 projects will pilot measures to support the target group of vocational-qualification holders and to develop and test transition models and course structures.

Read more Boosting permeability between vocational training and higher education

Training modules - competence and outcome orientation in educational provision within the transitional sector

Stefan Ekert, Lisa Rotthowe, Bernd Weiterer

Criticism has been levelled at the transitional area between school and vocational education and training for a number of years due to the fact that educational provision does not usually impart training content to a sufficient degree for credit transfer to be given. The aim now is to use competence-oriented training modules to increase the quality of transitional measures and to make learning outcomes transparent. Yet how can competence-oriented training modules be successfully implemented into existing measures in a way which enables all stakeholders to carry out routine actions in a well-rehearsed manner and which effects are already discernible as a result of this implementation? The present paper describes and reflects upon the initial findings which have emerged from the piloting of training modules in the JOBSTARTER CONNECT Programme.

Read more Training modules - competence and outcome orientation in educational provision within the transitional sector

Prof. Dr. Friedrich Hubert Esser, President of the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training

Recently the OECD criticised the quality of initial vocational education and training (IVET) in America and recommended that Americans should take a look at dual systems of IVET, as practised in Germany and Switzerland for example. At a vocational education conference held in May of this year at the Aspen Institute in Washington D. C. and attended by top-level delegates, German-based large and medium-sized enterprises took the lead in advocating the merits of practice-oriented IVET to the Obama government and to American industry.

German vocational education and training: location factor and unique advantage

BWP 4/2012 - Structural issues in vocational education and training

Against the backdrop of demographic change and ever-increasing occupational specialisa-tion, an effective system of initial and continuing vocational education and training is essential in order to meet the demand for highly skilled workers. This issue of BWP takes up structural issues and models that are being discussed and implemented in the course of work to refine occupational profiles and design new vocational qualification pathways.

Read more BWP 4/2012 - Structural issues in vocational education and training

Initial successes in the recognition of foreign vocational education and training qualifications

An initial evaluation conducted by the BIBB "Recognition in Germany" portal suggests that the "Recognition Act" has actually helped to kick-start the recognition of foreign vocational education and training qualifications. The online portal has recorded over 160.000 visitors and more than 1,4 million page views since its launch on 1 April. BIBB has conducted a survey of the relevant advisory bodies, chambers and experts to find out which occupational groups are in particular demand and to investigate the content of the enquiries directed at regional agencies by migrants. The results are now available on the portal.

Read more "Recognition in Germany" portal

The current supplement to the "International Handbook of Vocational Education and Training" (IHBB) now includes new country studies on Indonesia and the Netherlands. The studies provide a detailed presentation of the vocational education and training systems in the two countries against the background of their respective societal, political and economic developments. The IHBB is a practically related standard work for comparative VET research in the German speaking world. BIBB has had a lead management role in the publication of the IHBB since 2010.

Read more To the IHBB (in German)

Initial Vocational Education and Training in the Tertiary Sector - Models and their Relevance from the International Perspective

On 5 and 6 November 2012 at the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB), Bonn

National systems of vocational education and training (VET) are constantly faced with new challenges driven by politics and the economy. Some contend that qualification requirements on the labour market have changed to their disadvantage; because of modern technology and increasing globalisation, the expected standards are rising. One political strategy in response is to strengthen the university sector and raise participation rates. This prompts numerous questions in relation to VET systems.

Read more Programme and Online-registration

Commercial Occupations Between Theory and Regulatory Practice

On 14 November 2012 at the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB), Bonn

One of BIBB's primary responsibilities is to update and develop occupations that require completion of formal initial or continuing vocational training. Trends in the work that the respective occupation requires in actual practice and the latest research findings are to be taken into account in connection with these activities.
What actually determines the tasks that constitute the work involved in a commercial occupation? What are the shared areas of focus and what differences do we observe in commercial and managerial occupations? How can corresponding occupational families be developed? What requirements will people in commercial occupations have to meet in the future? These and other questions will take centre stage at a conference being hosted by BIBB.

Read more Programme

ENIQAB

The overarching goal of the project ENIQAB is to connect the National Initiative for Quality Development and Assurance in Company-Based Vocational Education and Training in Germany with the EQAVET process. The aim here is to contribute towards enhancing the culture of quality in Europe.

The brochure on the pilot projects for the partner countries products has been published on web-site: http://www.deqa-vet.de/en/ENIQAB.php

Read more ENIQAB-Brochure

2012 Data Report published in print and online versions

The main focus of the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) 2011/2012 Data Report is "Transitions from school to training". The Report offers a host of data and information relating to the development of initial and continuing vocational education and training in Germany. Ordering the Data Report on a one-off or permanent basis will afford you an informative insight into the diverse range of research and development pursued by BIBB and the extensive services provided by the institute. The 2012 BIBB Data Report is also available in an Internet version with immediate effect. This online version contains a large number of convenient functions and has been optimised for computer screen use.

Read more 2012 Data Report online

BIBB presents its 2011/2012 Annual Report

How will vocational education and training in Germany continue to develop? How can future-oriented initial and advanced training be structured? The main focuses which BIBB has stipulated in its capacity as a centre of competence for initial and continuing VET in order to identify and help shape such developments via research projects, studies and analyses are revealed in the institute's new 2011/2012 Annual Report (in German).

Read more To order and download the German-language Annual Report

Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung (BIBB)
Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training

Robert-Schuman-Platz 3
53175 Bonn - Germany

Tel.: +49 228 / 107 - 0
Fax: +49 228 / 107 - 2977
Email: bibbnews@bibb.de

http://www.bibb.de/en - The BIBB online knowledge portal

Editorial Team:
Dr. Eckart Strohmaier (editor-in-chief) and Charlotte Schölgens

This e-mail is being sent to you courtesy of the Newsletter Service of the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB).
You can manage your account or cancel your subscription at www.bibb.de/newsletter-en.