The ‘academization’ of the German qualification system: Recent developments in the relationships between vocational training and higher education in Germany

Abstract

The traditional German model of skill formation was based on the rather strict segmentation between vocational training and higher education. However, during recent years this differentiation has slowly dissolved, partly by politically motivated developments to increase the permeability between both sectors and partly as a result of latent changes in the participation in higher education leading to a higher degree of ‘academization’. After a short description and analysis of recent trends in higher education and vocational training, especially the expansion of higher education, the article focuses on two processes to achieve more permeability and cooperation between both parts of the German qualification system: (1) the introduction and extending of dual study programmes and (2) the opening of access to higher education for vocational qualified people without the usual school credentials (e.g. the Abitur). The article concludes with two scenarios regarding trends in the participation in higher education.