The Dual System of Vocational Training in Germany. BASIS-INFO 11-1995. Social Policy.

The dual system of vocational training is a joint government-industry program and part of the general educational system in Germany. It provides hands-on training in private businesses coupled with specialized instruction in public vocational schools at no cost to students. The objective of the dual system is to provide young people with the best possible job qualifications by engaging the private sector, which provides practical experience, and the public vocational schools, which provide theoretical instruction, in the training of the future work force. The program bridges the transition from school to work. More than two-thirds of all German youths between the ages of 15 and 18 enroll in vocational training in one of the 440 officially recognized occupations. Most teenagers begin their vocational training after at least 9 years of full-time mandatory education, but there are no special admission requirements for participating in the dual system. The individual graduate is responsible for finding an apprentice position with an employer. The training, which lasts 2-3 years depending on the occupation, is designed and administered jointly by the company, professional groups, and the vocational school. All three sectors shoulder the cost jointly. Although no firms are required to offer vocational training, most participate because they consider it economically beneficial in the long run. Students spend the majority of their time in their on-the-job training and 1 or 2 days per week in a part-time, classical vocational school. Although the dual system has been working well for Germany, it is not immediately obvious that the system might be easily transferable to other countries. The German culture emphasizes preparing students for the workplace, the relatively high homogeneity of the German student population allows for more standardization, and the long tradition of business supports the concept. Elements of the German dual system have been adopted successfully in other countries, such as India, Peru, and Brazil. (KC)