Dietmar Niedziella, DIHK

1. Vocational Training in GermanySession 3:The role of Government, Industry and trade Unions in training high quality manpower Dietmar Niedziella, DIHK

2. The DIHK • umbrella organisation for 80 German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CCI) • every German company is required by law to join a chamber • more than 3 mill. member companies • co-ordinates bilateral chambers abroad in more than 80 countries (120 offices)

3. The Dual System of Vocational Training In-Firm Training Vocational School • 3 - 4 days a week • as a rule 3 years • vocational training act - nationwide • training contract • 1 - 2 days a week • school acts of the 16 “Länder” (states) • coordinated nationally educational background set out in compulsory education lower secondary/secondary/grammar school/vocational college

4. The Vocational Training Act • Vocational Training Act from 1969, updated in April 2005 in-firm training follows the same law all over Germany! • equal legal relationship between trainee and instructor • equal administration of apprenticeships through CCIs • equal exams administrated through CCIs • possibility to work abroad during vocational training • every profession has its own national decree • contents of apprenticeship • contents of intermediate and final examination

5. Characteristic Elements of the Dual System • training based on practical requirements of the companies • responsibility shared between public and private sector • co-operation of stakeholders: • Federal Ministries • “Länder” (State) Ministries • Employers’ Associations • Trade Unions develop national decrees for qualification profiles / VET-standards (e. g. duration and contents of training, examination requirements )

6. government • Training regulations • duration • designation of the occupation • contents: decision – making skills (knowledge, skills) economy trade unions „Länder“ How are training regulations developed?

7. Benefits of the Dual System for enterprises: • influence on content and organisation of vocational training • at medium-term: low recruitment costs • next generation of skilled workers assured for trainees: • labour market relevant training • acquisition of social skills, personality development • motivating situation (earning and learning) for the state: • private sector contribution eases the burden on public budgets • relatively low rate of youth unemployment

8. Facts and Figures (2007) • 60 % of the young people take part in the dual system • over 1,6 Mio. trainees altogether, more than 600.000 new contracts per year • German economy spends € 30 billion per year on vocational training • average costs of a trainee in the dual system a year: € 18.000 • approx. 350 nationwide recognized training occupations (250 in the field of industry, trade and services) • over 150.000 professional experts work on a honorary basis in the examination boards of the CCIs

9. National Pact on Apprenticeship 2004: Agreement between Federal Government and employers associations to prevent the so-called training levy, a law, which was planned to force companies to either provide training places or pay money instead. • concluded on a completely voluntary basis • main aim: all applicants, who are capable and willing to start an apprenticeship, get an offer • 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

10. The Role of the CCIs • support and assist companies • that initially want to start vocational training • that need help during the vocational training • support and assist the trainees (e. g. Europass) • provide and register the training contracts • examine trainees and instructors • intermediate examinations • final examinations • instructors examinations

11. Thank you for your attention! Do you have questions?