European comparison of full-time school offerings in countries with dual vocational training systems
Feasibility study in preparation of a research project on the 'Role and potential of full-time school in countries with dual vocational training systems - A European comparison'
The number of in-company training places on offer in Germany has decreased noticeably in the years since 1999. In the absence of a sufficiently large number of in-company training places, many adolescents opt for full-time courses of training (at an all-day vocational school). In the wake of the amendment of the Vocational Training Act, Germany's Federal Ministry of Education and Research has developed initial ideas and measures for organizing school-based training to place it on par with in-company vocational training (Section 43 of the Act to Reform Vocational Education and Training). Such a reform could also help Germany achieve the 'Lisbon goals'. The European Council stipulated in May 2003 that member states had to work toward increasing the share of 22-year-olds who complete secondary school level II to at least 85 percent by the year 2010.
The current education policy discussion raises the general question of the role and potential of vocational training at all-day vocational training schools in countries with a 'dual' vocational training system (which combines part-time vocational schooling with practical work experience). As a supplement to and in close cooperation with BIBB's ongoing and upcoming activities revolving around this subject at national level, a research project is to be set up that examines this issue in a comparison of European countries. This study will concentrate on those countries in Europe where dual vocational training for young people is offered on a large scale. These countries include Switzerland, Austria, Denmark and the Netherlands.
