Apprenticeship training or external recruitment of skilled workers
The shortage of skilled workers remains one of the dominant issues on the labour market. One way to counter this shortage at the firm level is to invest in apprenticeship training. Research results of the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB).
Dr Sandra Garbade became President of the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) on 1 August. Her appointment means that BIBB is led by a woman for the first time. She succeeds Professor Dr Friedrich Hubert Esser, who retired on 30 June 2026.
Unlocking potential to meet the demand for skilled workers through quality-assured, modular training geared towards obtaining a full vocational qualification. Partial qualifications are aimed at people over the age of 25 who have work experience but do not hold a recognised vocational qualification.
Fifteen experts from Nigeria’s waste and recycling sector spent two weeks in Bonn and Berlin — visiting landfills, labs and workshops, and starting work on a National Occupational Standard set to professionalise a largely informal sector.
Digital learning for old(er) workers: A systematic review
Demographic change and digitalization are reshaping both the workforce and the nature of work itself. This systematic review examines the current state of research on digital continuing vocational education and training (CVET) tailored specifically for old(er) workers.
Five years of Alliance for Dual VET in Latin America
At the end of June, the Alliance for Dual Vocational Training in Latin America and the Caribbean celebrated its fifth anniversary. Following the commemorative ceremony, experts discussed in a webinar how dual models can be implemented in economies with high levels of informality.
Dual vocational training as a response to changes in the world of work
Changes in the world of work are placing new demands on VET systems worldwide. The Alliance’s first 2026 webinar used three country case studies to demonstrate how dual models address these challenges and what approaches institutions in Latin America have developed in response.
A successful side event on the “Towards a Global TVET Agenda” initiative engaged high-level representatives from government, international organizations, and the global TVET community in a forward-looking dialogue on TVET system development.
Germany and Uzbekistan sign Joint Declaration of Intent
The German Federal Ministry of Education and the Uzbek Ministry of Education have initiated cooperation in the field of vocational education and training through a joint declaration of intent. The aim is to strengthen knowledge exchange and create opportunities for mutual learning.
Nigeria is in the middle of a green economic transition. Preparing the VET system to meet this demand, BIBB experts trained the first cohort of Green Skills Trainers in Lagos as part of the GIZ Skills and Youth Employment (SKYE) project in Nigeria.
Evidence-based policymaking in a fragmented data landscape
Current and accurate data promotes informed decision making, driving technical vocational education and training (TVET) forward. But how can we build data systems that are comparable and useful for multiple stakeholder groups across sectors and continents?
At a meeting of the ReferNet network in May, in-depth discussions took place at the BIBB on current developments in VET across Europe. The focus was on recognition of foreign qualifications, excellence, international mobility and AI. A company visit gave a practical insight into the dual training.
Parliamentary Education Committee from Ghana visits Germany
In May 2026, a delegation from Ghana’s Parliamentary Education Committee visited Germany to discuss current education reforms and future issues in vocational education and training with several representatives from diverse institutions.
Retrainees from Indonesia join German logistics firm
Sought and found: a logistics company has found two retrainees from Indonesia through BeRi Germany. The example from the Allgäu region, Germany, shows how this can be achieved in a fair, transparent and economically viable way. A new VET success story.
Round Table Meeting with Ghanaian Education Delegation
On 21 May 2026, GOVET, iMOVE and the Ghana Forum North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), hosted a roundtable discussion with a five-person delegation from Ghana’s Parliamentary Education Committee at the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) in Bonn.
The BIBB celebrates German Diversity Day 2026 by once again raising the rainbow flag and bringing diversity to life through a range of activities. Under the motto “When diversity wins, we all win,” employees come together to show their commitment to an inclusive and respectful workplace.
The glossary is a source for terms and definitions which are used in the field of vocational education and training. Emphasis is placed on its usage in the context of the German dual system.
