Vocational Education and Training in Germany after Unification

Abstract

It is generally known in this context that the so-called 'dual system' of vocational education and training of apprentices, i.e. the combination of in-firm training and college-based education, is of much greater significance in the Federal Republic of Germany than in neighbouring countries. In principle, this also applies to the five new federal states (Ldnder) created after the demise of the German Democratic Republic and the unification of Germany on 3 October 1990. However, as will be explained below, these new states are still faced with considerable problems of adaptation and transition.