Learning by doing is a cornerstone of the German education system. Whether someone wants to become a carpenter or a hotel concierge, she has probably gone though what is known as the dual education system. This system combines time spent in the classroom with work at a company.
Youth unemployment remains low in Germany (© picture-alliance/ JOKER) Most students complete their high school degrees between the ages of 15 and 18, depending on what type of school they attended. Then they have the option to specialise. Some go to universities, while others enter a dual training scheme.
To look at how one of these training schemes work, let us take two imaginary students: Susanna and Andreas. Susanna is 16 and wants to learn how to become a photographer. The 15-year-old Andreas plans to become an electrician. They can both learn their trades by attending a vocational training course usually lasting between two and three-and-a-half years. These courses cover more than 350 different occupations that are approved by the businesses and federal bodies overseeing the programme.
To begin, Susanna and Andreas approach companies to ask whether a trainee position is available. Chances are both will find a placement. Statistics from Germany's Federal Employment Agency show more than 450, 000 available trainee positions for 2013, with many likely to go unfilled. "Last year, around 70, 000 places with the sectors of industry and commerce could not be filled with students (i.e. apprentices), " says Ulrike Friedrich from the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK). Friedrich adds, "For this year...we expect nearly the same number of vacancies."
Mechatronics (© dpa/pa)
Despite a rise in the number of people going through the apprentice programme, Germany's demographics cannot keep up with demand. Fewer people are having children. That means there are fewer people to fill the positions vacated by older workers. The other challenge is the available apprenticeships do not always match the kind sought by students. But there are typically many positions for trainees in select areas like metal working, healthcare, and social services.
