4 THE DUAL SYSTEM OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
4.2 Basic characteristics of the dual system of education and training in selected countries of the European Union and their comparison1 Germany (2016) In Germany, the dual system of education and training has a long tradition, its modern form has been developing since the 1920s. It is regulated by the Vocational Training Act from 1969, which provides a general framework for later more detailed legislative elaboration. This law focuses on a part of the training provided at the workplace. Education in secondary vocational schools is not regulated at the federal level, it is addressed at the level of school laws of 16 federal states. In 2015, up to 70% of all secondary vocational school students were trained in the dual system of education and training in Germany, which is almost 40% of all secondary school students, even though vocational education can be obtained outside the dual system of education and training. Apprenticeship education within the dual system of education and training is implemented at the upper level of secondary education lasting 2–3 years, partly in the workplace and partly in a secondary vocational school, while their alternation is not precisely defined, it depends on the particular school. It can take place on certain days of the week, or at intervals, taking into account the needs of stakeholders and the region. Compulsory teaching in a secondary vocational school is 12 teaching hours (on average), of which 8 hours should be devoted to a vocational subject. Education within the dual system of education and training is intended for students after the end of compulsory schooling, while the age limits are not strictly defined. Employers and apprentices are bound by a contractual relationship in accordance with the Labour Code (this is an employment relationship, i.e. the apprentice is officially in the position of an employee and there is no contractual relationship between the employer and the secondary vocational school) and preparation for work activities is in accordance with the professional profile, which is based on the official workplace training curriculum. The share of school education and on-the-job training is not legally defined, but depending on the curriculum, the time spent at the workplace amounts to approximately 70% of the total 1
Compiled based on up-to-date data published in Cedefop’s European database on apprenticeship systems (2019).
63
