Advantages and challenges of the German dual vocational education system

We rarely write about teachers’ mobility, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any 🙂 Not long ago, we were fortunate enough to send 10 enthusiastic VET teachers to Dresden, where they could study the German vocational training system for a week.

Their VET system is essentially a dual system thus is adapted to the rapidly changing labor market. Only a sidenote: dual training system is a form of secondary vocational education, where the theoretical education in the institution is in parallel with the practical training in companies.

Teachers could attend a one week training course and a half-day school visit. During the theoretical part they learned about the legal regulation of VET, the process of operation and the training of teachers. The practical part focused on visiting an institution to learn more about the basic structure of schools, to observe a class, and to talk to students and professional teachers about their experiences. In addition to the school visit, they went to the local Chamber of Commerce, where they discussed its situation and importance in VET.

And what was the most exciting topic? Of course, the digitalisation of the labor market and studies, and preparing students and staff for the challenges of the digital world. It has been agreed by all the particpants that it is important for all countries and institutions to label new digital competences and the tools not as distractions and problems, but as an effective way of promoting learning and development.

After speaking through various topics, the teachers had also time to explore the city, get to know local flavors, museums and practice foreign language communication. These 7 days have passed quickly, but it will certainly have a long-term impact in terms of their work and new methodologies.