Dr Günter LambertzManaging Director Continuing Vocational TrainingAssociation of German Chambers of Industry and

Commerce (DIHK)

Dual Vocational Training in Germany:

Jobs and career perspectives foryoung people

• umbrella organization of 80 German Chambers of Industry and Commerce in Berlin and Bruxelles

• every German company is required by law to join a chamber

• more than 3 million member companies

• coordinates bilateral chambers in more than 80 countries

The Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK)

… Youth Unemployment in the EU

Youth unemployment rate in 2012 of under 25s in %

9,0 9,311,9

15,7 16,418,8 19,1 19,1 19,7

22,8 22,9

26,0 26,2

29,6 30,2

34,035,7 35,7

51,3

7,9

0,0

10,0

20,0

30,0

40,0

50,0

60,0

German

yAus

tria

Nether

lands

Malta

Denmar

kUnit

ed S

tates

Finlan

dBelg

ium

Czech

Rep

ublic

Luxe

mbo

urg

Sweden

Fran

cePola

ndHun

gary

Bulgar

iaIre

land

Slovak

ia

Italy

Portu

gal

Spain

EU27 (22,6 %)

How does Vocational Training Work?

Training is mainly provided in the

company –supported by

teaching in part-time vocational school

(Berufsschule)

Everyone benefits from Vocational Training

Benefits for trainees:• labor market relevant training leads to excellent job perspectives• acquisition of social skills within the real life of a company• motivation by getting training fees (earning and learning)Benefits for enterprises and trade unions:• influence on content and organization of training• at medium-term: low recruitment costs• next generation of skilled workers assuredBenefits for the government:• Private contribution eases the burden on public budgets

Win-Win-Situation and a perfect Public PrivatePartnership!

• 3-4 days per week

• on the basis of trainingregulations

• within the framework of a training contract

Partner Company

Learning at the company

Partner “Berufsschule”

• 1-2 days per week on average

• on the basis of a frameworkcurriculum

• general & vocational knowledgeis taught within the framework of compulsory education

Learning at the vocationaltraining school

… and even more Partners

Training regulations

− duration− designation

of occupation− training contents:

decision-making skills(knowledge, skills)

„Länder“ (State Ministries)

Trade Unions

Employers‘Organizations

ChamberOrganizations

Federal Ministries

Occupations for every need

Alterations

tailor

Biologylaboratorytechnician

Industrialmanagement

assistant

Mecha-tronics

technician

Office

manager

The Tasks

competent bodiesregister training contracts organize interim and final exams

Role of the CCI

National Training Pact

National Training Pact

2004: Agreement between Federal Government and DIHK, ZDH (skilled craft and small business), BDA (employers) to prevent the so-called training levy, a law, which was planned to force companies to either provide training places or pay money instead

• extended in 2007 and 2010

• concluded on a completely voluntary basis

• main aim: all applicants, who are capable and willing tostart an apprenticeship, get an offer for qualification

• promises of the economy:– offer 60.000 new apprenticeship training positions

– offer 40.000 positions for courses leading to a first qualification

– acquire 30.000 new training companies

National Training Pact

• In the meantime, Germany has faced a dramatic change due to the demographic development

• While during the last years apprenticeships were rare, nowadays the applicants become rare

• Therefore, the third “Training Pact”, concluded in October 2010, aims for the improvement of the education level of the school leavers and a much better vocational guidance already at school

Conclusion

• German dual training is an excellent system for qualifying young people for the labour market.

• It leads to a win-win-situation for young people, companies, government , altogether.

• But it’s also a very complex system. It works because of its history and long tradition in German culture and economy.

1. Adjust the dual training principle to your cultural background!

2. Administration and companies: work together! Both of you have to provide your part in the share!

3. A National Training Pact helps to fight youth unemployment and to give young people access to the labor market!

4. There should be strong Chambers helping to organize company-based vocational training!

Here is my advice

Facts and Figures

• approx. 350 nationwide recognized training occupations (270 in the field of industry, trade and services)

• two out of three young people in Germany in VET

• around 1,5 million trainees, 560,000 new contracts per year

• approx. 500,000 companies providing training

• approx. 336,000 vocational training instructors only in the field of industry, trade and services

• over 160,000 professional experts work on a honorary basis in the examination boards of the CCIs

• German economy spends € 23 billion per year on vocational training

• gross costs of a trainee per year: € 15,300 – return on investment through productive activity: € 11,700

– net costs of a trainee per year: just € 3.600