Vocational education and training in the Federal Republic of Germany

Abstract

The highly organised system of vocational education and training in Germany is often held up to Britain as an example worthy of emulation. In this article, Nadine Dyer, an industrial sociologist working for the Training Services Agency, describes the German System, and the way it fits into German society. She points out what could be regarded as some of the shortcomings of this system of vocational education and training and poses the question whether, in view of the fact that Germany and Britain are experiencing similar manpower problems, we in Britain would gain anything by adopting their system. Finally some further questions are asked about the effects and value of the German system.