Table 1 Institutional orders of VET (dual system) and Higher Education
Distinctive criteria of skill formation institutions | Higher educationa | Dual system of vocational education and training |
|---|---|---|
Guiding principle (main objectives) | Academic professionalism | Vocational competence in firms and labour markets |
Normative references for curricula | Representative systematic knowledge in academic disciplines | Labour market and employment structure; economic demand for qualifications |
Political governance | Länder governments | Corporatist: (self-)governance by social partners (chambers of trade, industry and commerce), regulated by federal law |
Financing | Public by the Länder governments | Mainly by private enterprises |
Status of the learners | Students | Apprentices with employment contract |
Location/organisation of learning processes | Universities; institutions independent from workplaces | Firms; integrated in work processes |
Qualification of teaching personal | University degrees; PhD | Semi-professional: master (craftsman) diploma; journeyman diploma |
Conditions for access | Abitur; A-level degree (grammar school)b | Certificate of access not legally required |
Areas of employment associated with type of skill formation | Academic professionals in public and private administrations, research and leading positions; liberal academic professions | Skilled work in production and service industries |