Bildungs- und Berufschancen. Fachschulische Berufsausbildung: ein Nebensystem im Gesamtsystem der Bildung?

Abstract

In Germany, the vocational school system has become firmly established side by side the dual system of vocational education and training (VET). Within the overall educational system, the fulltime vocational school is positioned structurally between the general school system and the dual system of VET. Thus, the fulltime vocational school is a halfway house between these two educational systems. Though research on vocational education at the fulltime vocational school still is full of gaps, there are some important results of the latest research on the efficiency of the fulltime vocational school. In comparison with the general school system the fulltime vocational school owns a high advantage. This is because of its specific school leaving certificate that includes both a training qualification and an educational achievement that gives access to a study at the university. This double qualification is also an important fact concerning the educational attractiveness of the fulltime vocational school in comparison with the dual system of VET. This article focuses on the vocational college (Fachschule) as a representative of the German vocational school system. After a description of the distinctive character of the vocational college which explores some key issues of definition and of context, the second section focuses on the educational capability of the vocational college, and it also points out specific needs of reform. Finally some conclusions are drawn.