Vocational Education : Germany

The number of school leavers in the Federal Republic of Germany who are qualifying and opting for higher education is steadily increasing. Young people who do not reach university entrance standard usually take a course of vocational training, but so do many of the higher education qualifiers. Most of them are trained within the “dual system”. This comprises practical on-the-job training with theoretical instruction at a part-time vocational school. Thus private business and industry and the public sector are jointly responsible for vocational training.

The Federation draws up the training regulations while the states oversee the vocational schools. Just under 1.6 million young people are currently receiving training in the roughly 470 recognized occupations for which accredited vocational training is required. The popularity of these training occupations varies, however, as does the job market demand for the skills they impart. Almost 40 percent of the male trainees are concentrated in ten preferred vocations, and in the case of female trainees the figure is as high as 55 percent. The occupations which most attract boys are automobile mechanic, electrical fitter, industrial mechanic and business specialist in wholesale and foreign trade, whereas the girls’ favorites are doctor’s assistant, business specialist in retail trade, hair stylist and office clerk.