Innovative continuing vocational education and training
The current challenges facing continuing vocational education and training provide opportunities to create something new. BIBB supports initiatives and programmes which offer potential for innovation – with the goal of delivering strong vocational education and training.
BIBB involves itself in various fields of innovation within continuing vocational education and training in order to develop structures and provision in a future-oriented manner at a strategic level, in the area of digital systems and in the implementation of tailored funding. Information on current initiatives and programmes is set out below.
National Skills Strategy
Embracing continuity and new beginnings for effective continuing vocational education and training. 17 partners have come together to pursue the further advancement of the continuing training system. The Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (German acronym: BIBB) is supporting this education and training policy process both technically and organisationally on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMBFSFJ).
Service Centre for Continuing Training Agencies
The Service Centre for Continuing Training Agencies (SWBA) offers guidance and assistance right across the country for the establishment and expansion of regional continuing training agencies. It provides a platform for collaboration and networking at a national level. The SWBA is an initiative by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) and is housed at the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB).
Strengthening digital competencies in the work process
DiKAp is a new funding policy aimed at enhancing participation in working life. It finances projects with a practical focus for the low skilled and for employees who perform unskilled tasks. The main focus is on improving the digital skills of these workers. The projects pursue integrated approaches which combine competency development, a target group-appropriate message and stackable credentials.
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Continuing Training Mentoring
Continuing training mentors (WBM) are colleagues or external parties who raise employee awareness of the topic of continuing training within the company itself. The objective is to target formally low-skilled persons in particular by speaking to them as equals. The current funding programme of the Federal Ministry for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMBFSFJ) encompasses 35 projects centring on further development of the WBM approach. These projects are operating nationwide and across sectors. The Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) is providing the WBM programme with research and administrative support.
Sustainability in the Workplace
The Federal Ministry for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMBFSFJ) is using the “Sustainability in the Workplace” (NIB) programme to bolster sustainability-oriented vocational education and training. The Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training is thus helping to turn skilled workers into pioneers, trainers into multipliers and companies into places of sustainable change.
Advanced vocational training after a Bachelor degree
The development project “Advanced vocational training after a Bachelor degree” (BeFoBa) is investigating the perspectives of key VET stakeholders in order to identify opportunities for further training leading to higher-level vocational qualifications for those with a Bachelor degree. The aim is to reveal possible courses of action for the harnessing of areas of education and training potential.
Cooperation in academic continuing training
The development project “Cooperation in academic continuing training” (KOwiWB) is examining the interface between vocational and higher education. It is analysing and systematising cooperation arrangements between vocational and higher education institutes. The aim is to uncover areas of development potential.
BIBB’s expertise informs communication between the fields of academic research, policy making and practice on the future-oriented shaping of continuing vocational education and training. The action areas of the Federal Institute are policy guidance and the structuring of practice.
“We maintain close contact with stakeholders from the areas of academic research, policy making and practice. Results and findings are processed and disseminated for use in vocational education and training practice. They are also incorporated into the academic discourse on vocational education and training and analysed for the purposes of policy advice.”
Barbara Hemkes, Head of Division 4.2 “Innovative Further Education, Permeability, Pilot-Projects” at BIBB