The German system of [dual] vocational training is highly regarded worldwide. High quality in VET is considered a national priority and at the core of a passionate dialogue between social partners.

Vocational Training in Germany is regulated by the BBiG, the “Berufsbildungsgesetz” or “Vocational Training Act”. It is a federal law and covers for instance entry requirements, preparation, implementation, and certification of vocational and comparable training.
VET in Germany provides a solid and holistic basis not only for the execution of tasks in the actual vocation but also in related fields of professional activity. It aims at a maximal exposure to job realities. Technical competence is crucial – but seen as embedded in the context of business- and work-processes. A high level of autonomy is achieved during the training – in conjunction with awareness for responsibility in terms of quality and customer orientation. Well developed technical and wider competences form the basis of a work life that is seen in the context of lifelong learning.

The Dual System is the backbone of VET in Germany. Its importance remains unchanged despite reforms made in recent years. These changes – where access to VET exams is now also granted to graduates from full-time vocational schools – occurred in consequence of a shortage of training places in companies and the commitment to fight low youth unemployment rates. The Dual System’s key element is a shared responsibility and partnership between the public and the private sector: The training takes place in companies and in part-time vocational schools, and is developed, implemented and quality assured by all relevant stakeholders.

The rapid emergence and growth of the ICT industry and its related ICT user industries created a clear call for new industry-specific occupations. Drawing from earlier experiences, where occupations from the Electrical and Metal Industries have been rearranged and curricula redefined, this process was the spear head for the introduction of a new innovative training concept to German VET.

As a major result, entirely new occupations for the yet relatively young IT industry have been established and the IT sector was the first to implement the reformed guidelines for the execution of VET. This has been extremely successful and led to many IT companies being involved with [dual] VET for their first time in order to train urgently needed highly qualified IT personnel.

Mission Objectives
Given the rapidly changing nature of the IT Industries and the high level of competences required, the new IT occupation were designed to qualify for the integration of broad work assignments, the autonomous, process-oriented planning and conducting of complex work activities, business acumen, and a high degree of responsibility that are characteristic of a modern IT work practice. They aim at profound technical and equally at wider social and personal competences. Additionally, the historically grown separation between technical and commercial training is overcome. Familiarity with English is to be fostered in order to connect with the European labour market and to enhance intercultural awareness. In brief: Technical, behavioural, organizational, and methodical competences are bundled into holistic occupational profiles that emphasize action competence under a wide range of real life work conditions.

Cross Section Orientation
The new IT occupations are build as “cross field” occupations in order to support general expertise and mobility within the industry instead of narrow-focussed specialist workers. Common core qualifications are defined for all occupations of the IT vocational group and comprise approx. 50% of the training. This general “shared occupational qualification basis” forms the foundation for a more technically oriented additional training that addresses the specialties of the chosen domain. Thus, an integration of broad work assignments and responsibility for extended parts of the actual work process are enabled.

IT Occupations at a Glance
Four new IT occupations have been established that range from more technical to more commercial/business aspects regarding the development, implementation, and operation of IT systems.