Vocational Education and Training

Every year Germany’s dual system of vocational training offers around two thirds of all school-leavers the prospect of learning one of some 350 trades. Currently, just under 1.6 m trainees in nearly 500,000 businesses are taking advantage of this offer. Combining practical training at work with continued education at a vocational school, the dual system enables young people in Germany to be integrated into the workforce relatively successfully, as the low level of youth unemployment relative to other countries shows.

Date | Relevance |

Christiane Konegen-Grenier ·
IW-Report Nr. 32 ·
4 September 2019

Humanities scholars on the labour market

With a share of 8.2 per cent of all students and a share of 5.6 per cent of all approximately nine million employed graduates, the humanities graduates, without considering the teaching graduates, represent a comparatively small group in study and employment. Their most striking difference to the average of graduates is their high proportion of women, which in turn leads to an above-average proportion of mostly voluntary part-time employment.

Hans-Peter Klös / David B. Meinhard ·
IW-Policy Paper Nr. 6 ·
27 August 2019

world of employment: Industrial competitiveness, digitisation and vocational training

The digital transformation in Germany's economy and society is in full swing. Not all of the indicators of Germany's technological performance show a pioneering role in digitization. The technological trends will therefore not remain without effects on the business models of companies operating in Germany.

Progress to Date and Companies’ Ongoing Need for Modernisation and Support

Regina Flake / David B. Meinhard / Dirk Werner ·
IW-Trends Nr. 2 ·
23 April 2019

Digitalisation in Dual Vocational Training

This paper analyses the impact of the digital transformation on training activities in German enterprises.

Susanne Seyda / Luisa Wallosek / Michael Zibrowius ·
IW-Trends Nr. 2 ·
22 June 2018

An Index Measuring Low-skilled Jobs: Low-skilled Work in Germany

The present article examines how the extent and importance of low-skilled work has developed over a period of skill-biased technological change.

Regina Flake / Svenja Jambo / Markus Körbel / Susanne Seyda / Daniel Wörndl / Michael Zibrowius ·
Expertise ·
19 June 2018

Promoting Social Partnership in Employee Training

In the wake of global trends like the digitalisation of the economy, employees are faced not only with higher demands for competences but also with the requirement to continuously adapt and further develop their skills to maintain their employability. This study was conducted on behalf of the European social partners, ETUC, BusinessEurope, CEEP and UEAPME, with financial support of the European Commission.

Susanne Seyda / Luisa Wallossek / Michael Zibrowius ·
IW-Analyse Nr. 122 ·
15 May 2018

Factors influencing the Participation of Workers with no formal Qualifications in further Training

The present analysis examines the factors influencing the participation of workers with no formal qualifications in further training. Within this group, there has been an increase in the proportion of menial jobs, which correlates negatively with the probability of undergoing further training.

Susanne Seyda / David B. Meinhard / Beate Placke ·
IW-Trends Nr. 1 ·
24 April 2018

Further Training 4.0: Digitalization as a Driver and Innovator of In-Service Training

Digitalization is leading to a growing need for training. Firms which have digitalized further are thus more likely to be active in further training and to invest more time and money in developing their workers’ skills.

The Costs and Benefits of Continuing Further Training

Susanne Seyda / Beate Placke ·
IW-Trends Nr. 4 ·
4 December 2017

The 9th IW Survey of Further Training

In 2016 some 85 per cent of companies in Germany were active in continuing vocational training, using a broad mix of methods.

Regina Flake / Lydia Malin / Paula Risius ·
IW-Trends Nr. 5 ·
26 October 2017

How High School Graduates Decide Between a University Course and Vocational Trai

The proportion of school students who take and pass the German Abitur exams (equivalent to British ‘A’-levels or the American high school diploma) has been increasing for many years.

Markus Körbel / Sarah Pierenkemper / Michael Zibrowius ·
Expertise ·
28 September 2017

Gaining and Retaining Skilled Personnel Abroad

The present study investigates training strategies of German companies in developing and emerging countries. By means of semi-structured interviews we shed light on the experiences of 16 companies operating in six countries. We thereby aim at identifying guidance for companies’ training and personnel development abroad.

Yet there is no reason for us to rest on our laurels, as this transition is seldom seamless. The average age of those starting an apprenticeship is 19 years, with many school-leavers first having to complete a preparatory course. Companies are encountering increasing difficulties in finding suitable applicants.

Additionally, there is a need for improvement at the interfaces between vocational training, further training and tertiary education. Too often skills which have already been acquired are not recognised. Moreover, the traditional German belief in apprenticeships does not extend to further training. Companies are setting a good example in this respect, investing an average of over a thousand euros a year on the further training of their employees. However, the challenges of demographic change and technological progress mean that such measures will have to be expanded and vocational training systematically developed if the economy is not to run out of skilled workers.