German VET in Europe

Education and vocational training have been gaining in importance in the context of European cooperation since the summit in Lisbon in March 2000. The EU has become an important arena for German vocational training.

German VET results in highly trained workers that have gained reputation all across the world. This is particularly true for VET based on the Dual System and occupations with training durations of 3 or even 3 ½ years.

As a result, there has been an ongoing – and yearlong – discussion as to the level of qualification that should be ascribed to skilled workers, as there is considerable diversity in the organization of VET through EU member states. The situation has now become even more complex after the VET Reform Act has gone into force in April, 2005, which has introduced forms of predominantly school based VET and occupations with shorter training durations.