The emergence and development of the German dual vocational system: Between crises and praises

In this article we give an overview of the emergence and development of the German dual vocational training system. We show how it developed from training young people in the guilds in the Middle Ages towards a corporatist system including several actors and learning locations. Due to its flexibility and corporative character, the German vocational training system has managed to emerge strengthened from several social changes that threatened its existence. It is currently regarded as key for Germans economic success and social integration of approximately half of Germany’s school leavers in preparing them for the world of work.