This special edition of the BIBB-periodical Vocational Training in Research and Practice - BWP singles out some of the current subjects to be discussed within the professional community and by the interested public at national, European and international level. The articles address two topics that are of permanent concern in international cooperation (Future of Work-Based Learning and Financing VET) and two further issues that have become highly pertinent over recent years (Digital Transformation - VET 4.0 and Migration and Integration). By pointing out these topics and publishing them in English, we hope to give you an insight in trends and progress within the German system of vocational education and training (VET) and to encourage the discussion on many levels.

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Binding regulations for the validation of competencies acquired by non-formal and informal means are a central component of a permeable educational system. Even though such regulations enjoy political support, implementation is, however, hesitant. In light of the EU Council Recommendation to introduce relevant provisions by 2018 at the latest, this issue of BWP assesses the current status of development, presents some of the approaches adopted and also takes a look at what is happening in neighbouring European

Editorial: From capitalism to talentism - Europe goes dual!

Friedrich Hubert Esser, Professor Dr., President of the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB)

In its 2017-2018 Global Competitiveness Report, the World Economic Forum points out that a country's ability to compete is becoming increasingly dependent on its capacity to innovate and that the world is currently making the shift from "capitalism to talentism". For this reason, more and more importance is being attached to well trained and creative workers. As a consequence, the World Economic Forum believes that the countries which will emerge victorious in the competitive markets of the future will be those which adjust to the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution whilst at the same time strengthening their political, economic and social systems.
Editorial in the BIBB-journal Vocational Training in Research and Practice - BWP

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Recognising competencies: experts consider scenarios for Germany

Katrin Gutschow, Julia Jörgens

Following the Council recommendation of 20 December 2012, EU member states set themselves the target of introducing systems for validating non-formal and informal learning by 2018. The intention is that competencies acquired at work, at home, during leisure time and on a voluntary basis are made visible by means of the validation procedure and can be used in the education and training system and in the job market. Such a system is yet to be introduced in Germany. Potential scenarios for the recognition of competencies have been developed and evaluated by experts in a BIBB research project. The article presents initial findings relating to the scenarios and to key aspects of the validation procedures.
Article from the BIBB-journal Vocational Training in Research and Practice - BWP

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Does recognition of foreign professional and vocational qualifications also improve labour market opportunities in non-regulated occupations?

Stefan Ekert, Ricarda Knöller, Kathrin Raven

Formal evidence of educational and vocational qualifications are crucial if skills and competencies are to be usable on the German labour market. It is therefore important for persons who have acquired their certificate abroad to obtain formal recognition of such qualifications in order to enhance their chances on the labour market and therefore also improve their occupational situation. The Federal Recognition Act has served as the framework for this process since April 2012 by according anyone in possession of a foreign qualification the right to a recognition procedure. This article examines the issue of the extent to which recognition of a foreign professional or vocational qualification in a non-regulated area actually improves opportunities for labour supply on the German market and also illustrates the limits which apply. The investigation is based on the results of the evaluation of the Recognition Act.
Article from the BIBB-journal Vocational Training in Research and Practice - BWP

Read more Does recognition of foreign professional and vocational qualifications also improve labour market opportunities in non-regulated occupations?

Validation of non-formal and informal learning in Europe

Ernesto Villalba-Garcia

Validation of non-formal and informal learning is an important policy tool to promote more permeable educational systems, adaptable to the changing nature of skills demand. It is also a form of giving those most at risk of social exclusion an entry door to the formal education system or to gain employment from skills acquired in non-formal and informal settings. The European Inventory, published in Cedefop's webpage, and carried out in collaboration with the European Commission, has been in place since 2004 and provides an overview of the situation regarding validation in European countries. The article presents an overview of the current situation in Europe using data from the latest update of the inventory of validation on non-formal and informal learning.
Article from the BIBB-journal Vocational Training in Research and Practice - BWP

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Jessica Erbe

Assessment of the equivalence of a qualification acquired abroad with a German reference qualification usually takes place on the basis of documents. The legislation has made provision for cases in which such documentation is not available (in meaningful form). Great hopes are being invested in the so-called skills analyses. However, can this instrument fulfil expectations? This article uses the latest official statistics to be published on the Recognition Act to present the way in which its application has developed over the initial five years.
Article from the BIBB-journal Vocational Training in Research and Practice - BWP

© guteksk7 - fotolia.de

There will be a marked difference in the development of regional labour markets in Germany up to 2035. The reasons for this are different economic priorities in the regions and demographic changes. Evidence for this is provided by the latest regional-specific findings of the Qualifications and occupational field projections from the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) and from the Institute for Employment Research (IAB).

Read more Boom in the south, slump in the east

Improving the integration of refugees in Germany in future by means of vocational education and training will be critically dependent on providing individually-tailored training programmes of the right quality and in the right amounts. These are some of the key findings from a new analysis by BIBB.

Read more Vocational education and training - the key to integration

Explanatory videos on dual vocational training and international VET cooperation

How does dual vocational training work? What are the objectives of international vocational training cooperation? You will find answers in our explanatory films. These are available in several languages - on the BIBB YouTube channel.

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Delegation from New South Wales visits BIBB

f.l.t.r.: Laura Clarke, Peter Rechmann, Dr. Harald Pfeifer, Prof. Dr. Hubert Ertl, Hon. John Barilaro MP, Simon A. Y. Smith, Ute Hippach-Schneider

A delegation from New South Wales/Australia, led by Deputy Premier Minister Hon. John Barilaro MP entered into dialogue with BIBB, represented by Prof. Dr. Hubert Ertl, Director of Research and Vice President. The guests were particularly interested in gathering information and assessments on the central governance structures of vocational education and training. The BIBB's role and structure, the involvement of the social partners in the organisation of vocational education and training, the reasons for companies' willingness to provide training places and BIBB's international cooperation were the main topics of discussion.

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Education specialists meet for EduTECH Asia in Singapore

Birgit Thomann, Head of Department "Internationalisation of VET/Knowledge Management" at BIBB

EduTECH Asia, which took place from 8 to 10 November 2017 in Singapore, is Asia's largest education conference and technology exhibition. The BIBB, represented by Head of Department Birgit Thomann, used the opportunity to draw international attention to the importance of in-company training personnel.

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iMOVE-Contact point provides qualifications for skilled workers in Iran

The iMOVE Contact Point Iran provides a range of services to support the Iranian-German cooperation in the area of vocational training and continuing education. iMOVE collaborates with over 200 listed German education and training providers.

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Tenth meeting of the German-Indian working group on VET

© BIBB

The topics of the meeting in 24 October at BIBB included the establishment of dual VET approaches in India and the qualification of vocational training personnel. Birgit Thomann presented the BIBB research programme and provided information on the opportunity to send guest researchers.

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Building apprentices' skills in the workplace: Car service in Germany, the UK and Spain

© Jörn Buchheim - fotolia.de

The paper published at the London School of Economics is the result of an international collaboration between Hilary Steedman (former member of BIBB's scientific advisory board) and researchers from BIBB. It's based on two comparative research projects conducted by BIBB researcher Philipp Grollmann.

Read more Building apprentices' skills in the workplace: Car service in Germany, the UK and Spain

BIBB Asia-Pacific Networking Event 2017 deepens regional exchange

f.l.t.r. Prof. Jianli Jiao (SCNU), Eva Hanau (BIBB), Michael Härtel (BIBB), Eugen Straubinger (BLBS)

Following the invitation of BIBB, representatives from partner institutions and VET experts from the Asia-Pacific region got together for the BIBB Asia-Pacific Networking Meeting 2017 in Nanjing, PR China in19 October. As last year, the event took place in the context of Education+, the first exhibition in China with a focus on vocational education organized by Messe Nanjing, a subsidiary of the German based Landesmesse Stuttgart.

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European Vocational Skills Week - second round

© European Commission

During the European Vocational Skills Week, which took place from 20 to 24 November, Brussels and the rest of Europe hosted this year events highlighting the quality and excellence of VET.

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E-Learning Solutions and Learning with Digital Media

The "Developing Skills for Employability with German Partners - 8 Case Studies from the Sector of E-Learning Solutions and Learning with Digital Media" brochures presents eight vocational education and training success stories of German and international partners.

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Quality assurance of company-based training in the dual system in Germany

The brochure "Quality assurance of company-based training in the dual system in Germany An overview for practitioners and VET experts" contains a structured overview of central quality assurance mechanisms which underlie the company-based part of initial training in the dual system in Germany. It informs about the most important regulations, procedures and stakeholders which secure and pursue the further development of training quality at the company as a learning venue. Addressed are education and training experts from the field of academic research, policy making and practice in Germany and Europe

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

Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 114 – 116
53113 Bonn - Germany

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

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

Editorial Team:
Charlotte Schölgens (editor-in-chief)