Factors leading people to drop out from
VET and VET-specific policy responses –
Critical insights from Germany
Kristina Alice Hensen
1.1 " Basic Issues of Internationalisation / Monitoring of Vocational Education and
Training Systems", BIBB
Cedefop Workshop: The role of VET in reducing early leaving from education and training; Thessaloniki, 03/04 June 2014
1. Dropping out from VET – The German context
2. Some statistics from Germany
3. Factors associated with early leaving from VET
4. Conclusion I
5. Negative consequences of early leaving from VET
6. Policy measures that address early leaving from VET
7. Conclusion II
Outline
The dual system forms the core element of vocational education
and training in Germany.
There are no formal access requirements.
Dual training is characterised by two learning venues –
companies and vocational training schools.
People successfully completing training are qualified to be
employed as skilled workers.
In Germany a contract dissolution does not necessarily mean a
final dropout from VET.
Two threshold: school - vocational training / training - work
Dropping out from VET – A problem of understanding
BIBB Data Report shows the rate of dissolved training contracts
on an annual basis.
2011 BIBB Transition Study is a representative study on
students in dual training.
Sample: N = 2,208; 18-24 year-olds
Results:
12% of young people did not successfully complete training within
the first three years.
Drop our rates: 3% during the first four months; 6% during the first
year; 10% after 24 months and finally 12% within 36 months.
Different drop out rates with regard to gender.
Women (15%) leave dual training more often than men,
unsuccessfully (12%).
Some statistics from Germany
In Germany a drop out from VET can mean to enter/continue
VET again in several forms.
34% commence dual training within two years.
10% enter training in school-based occupations or civil service
training.
3% start to a higher education programme.
Some statistics from Germany
Factors associated with early leaving from VET
Source: 2011 BIBB Transition Study
If training occupation does not match with the desired
occupation the risk of dropout increases and is three times
higher than for those who enter training in their preferred
occupation.
Some sectors/occupations are very unattractive which leads to
drop out and problems of recruitment.
Sectors with problems of attractiveness: service, the hotel and
restaurant, care.
Reasons: low amount of training remuneration, long working
hours (especially in hotels and restaurants), the high workload,
quality issues.
Factors associated with early leaving from VET
Conclusion I
Several factors lead to early leaving from VET
In Germany there is a different understanding of “dropping out”
from VET.
Although a contract dissolution can be an opportunity for a new
start, it is associated with insecurity and a loss of resources in
the form of time, energy and money on both sides (companies
and apprentice).
The drop out rate varies from branch to branch. This indicates
branch-specific problems such as low levels of remuneration,
high workload and quality issues.
Policy measures that address early leaving from VET
Several initiatives and programs are launched to address early
leaving from VET.
Cooperation between central government, regional
government and the federal employment agencies.
“National Pact for Career Training and Skilled Manpower
Development in Germany” - 2010-2014
“Qualify and Connect – Education chains up to the completion of
training” (Abschluss und Anschluss - Bildungsketten bis zum
Ausbildungsabschluss) - 2010-2014
“Initiative to Preventing training dropouts“ (Verhinderung von
Ausbildungsabbrüchen – VerA) – 2008-2014
„Coach@school“ - 2010-2014
Other permanent programmes of vocational guidance
Policy measures that address early leaving from VET
Raising the Attractiveness of VET: The information campaign
“Vocational Education – Practically Unbeatable” (Berufliche
Bildung – Praktisch unschlagbar)
Februar 2013: Joint Declaration “Greater use of possibilities of
the dual part-time vocational training for young mothers and
fathers” (Möglichkeiten der dualen Teilzeitberufsausbildung für
junge Mütter und Väter stärker nutzen)
Conclusion II
The fact that the pay of qualified skilled workers is higher than
that of unqualified workers may be viewed as a significant
incentive for completing training.
A good company atmosphere, individual instruction, fair payment
and good company learning conditions have a positive impact on
reducing training dropouts.
Several career orientation/guidance and mentoring/coaching
programs for individual support in the transition from school to
work and during the training.
Thank you for your attention!
If you have any enquiries, please contact
Kristina Alice Hensen ([email protected])
or visit:
http://www.bibb.de/de/1480.htm
Annex
Reasons that influence the decision to discontinue VET
Source: 2011 BIBB Transition Study
Reasons that influence the decision to discontinue VET
Source: 2011 BIBB Transition Study
Reasons that influence the decision to discontinue VET
Source: 2011 BIBB Transition Study
Negative consequences of early leaving from VET
For companies:
The investment in training has led to no benefit. In addition to this, they
also loose the apprentice who has dropped out as a member of the
workforce.
For apprentices:
Dropping out of an apprenticeship means that they need to make a
successful transition to a new training company.