Transfer of the German Vocational Education and Training System—Success Factors and Hindrances with the Example of Tunisia

Melanie Oeben,Matthias Klumpp

doi:10.3390/educsci11050247

Abstract

As the German vocational education and training (VET) system, with its dual learning environment in both firms and vocational schools, is an international benchmark, many concepts and projects are aiming to transfer this approach to other countries and education systems. In such contexts, it is important to consider the specific concepts and requirements of educational transfer. This paper outlines success factors and hindrances for such endeavors. Therefore, a literature review is combined with empirical survey results from Germany. This is directed at a specific project regarding a transfer of the dual VET system from Germany to Tunisia, but it also exemplifies general factors for any such concept transfer. As important success factors, “quality assurance” and “perspectives for graduates”, for example, are identified.

Highlights

The German dual vocational education and training (VET) system is internationally recognized as performing very well [1,2,3,4]
This paper presents a literature review combined with empirical survey results from Germany to identify success factors and hindrances to the transfer of the German VET system, from Germany to Tunisia
In addition to the existing literature statements regarding VET transfer, this study identified the perspective of graduates as an important success factor

Summary

Introduction

The German dual vocational education and training (VET) system is internationally recognized as performing very well [1,2,3,4] This is related to the specific setup of two learning environments, in a commercial firm and a vocational school, working in a symbiotic fashion [5,6,7,8]. For reasons such as (i) the global economic and financial crises in 2008–2009 and 2020, (ii) the increased global need for qualified workers, and (iii) high levels of youth unemployment, many countries would like to implement variations on such a VET system [9]. In particular, require capable VET systems to meet demands for well-trained employees [12]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion