A unique training system known as the “dual system” of Vocational Education and Training (VET), combines practical on-the-job training with classroom education.
Here’s how it works:
Dual Training Contract: The dual training system starts with a dual training contract between the apprentice, the training company, and the Chamber of Industry and Commerce. The contract outlines the terms of the apprenticeship, including the duration, the content, and the compensation.
On-the-job training: The apprenticeship involves a period of on-the-job training, during which the apprentice works in a company and learns the practical skills needed for their chosen profession. The apprentice is supervised by a skilled worker who acts as their mentor and there is not an option for fully on-the-job training.
Classroom education: In addition to on-the-job training, apprentices attend vocational schools on a regular basis, usually one or two days per week. The vocational schools provide classroom education in subjects such as mathematics, science, and business, as well as specific skills related to the apprentice’s chosen profession. And there is not an option for fully off-the-job training.
Certification: At the end of the apprenticeship, the apprentice takes a final examination, which consists of both practical and theoretical components. If the apprentice passes the examination, they receive a recognised vocational qualification with external (from the training organisation) assessors.
The dual system of VET has several benefits. It allows companies to develop their own skilled workforce, provides young people with a clear career path, and ensures that the skills taught in vocational schools are closely aligned with the needs of industry. Additionally, the dual system is often credited with contributing to Germany’s strong economic performance and low youth unemployment rates.
In the German system who assesses the apprentices, trainees and students?
In the German dual system of vocational education and training (VET), apprentices, trainees, and students are assessed by a combination of their employers and vocational schools with industry validation.
The employers are responsible for providing on-the-job training and assessing the practical skills of the apprentices and trainees. This assessment is usually conducted by a skilled worker or supervisor who works with the apprentice or trainee on a daily basis. The assessment focuses on the apprentice’s or trainee’s ability to perform job-specific tasks and meet the performance standards set by the company.
The vocational schools, on the other hand, are responsible for providing classroom education and assessing the theoretical knowledge of the apprentices, trainees, and students. This assessment is usually conducted through written evidence, practical tests, and projects, and focuses on the apprentice’s or trainee’s understanding of the concepts and principles related to their chosen profession.
Assessment processes in the German dual system of VET is designed to be rigorous and comprehensive, ensuring that apprentices, trainees, and students are well-prepared for their chosen careers and able to meet the high standards of the German economy.