Background and History of Apprenticeship in Germany
– Apprenticeship is a system for training practitioners in a trade or profession.
– It involves on-the-job training and accompanying study.
– Apprenticeships can lead to a license to practice in a regulated profession.
– Training is primarily done while working for an employer.
– The employer provides guidance and support to the apprentices.
– The modern system of apprenticeship in Germany originated in 1897.
– Key features of the original system are still in place.
– In 1969, a law was passed to regulate and unify the vocational training system.
– The dual system was successful in both parts of divided Germany.
– In the GDR, three-quarters of the working population had completed apprenticeships.
Infrastructure of Apprenticeship in Germany
– Germany has 342 recognized trades for which apprenticeships can be completed.
– Apprentices spend 50-70% of their time in companies and the rest in formal education.
– Trade and craftspeople usually work for three to four days a week in the company and attend vocational school for one or two days.
– Berufsschulen (vocational schools) have been part of the education system since the 19th century.
– For professions requiring more theoretical learning, working and school times take place blockwise.
Popularity of Apprenticeship in Germany
– In 2001, two-thirds of young people under 22 began an apprenticeship.
– Approximately 51% of all young people under 22 have completed an apprenticeship.
– In 2003, one in three companies offered apprenticeships.
– In 2004, the government signed a pledge with industrial unions to require companies, except very small ones, to take on apprentices.
– The number of companies offering apprenticeships decreased from 25 to 20 percent between 2011 and 2016.
Apprenticeship after General Education in Germany
– After graduation from school, students start an apprenticeship in their chosen professions.
– Realschule and Gymnasium graduates have better chances for sophisticated craft professions or white-collar jobs.
– An apprenticeship typically takes between 2.5 and 3.5 years.
– Originally, only a small percentage of German students attended Gymnasium, but the number entering university has increased.
– Older apprentices and immigrants can also be accepted under certain conditions.
Business and Administrative Professions and Trade and Craft Professions
– Skills and theory taught on German apprenticeships are strictly regulated.
– Employers are responsible for the education program coordinated by the German chamber of commerce.
– Apprentices obtain a special apprenticeship contract until the end of the program.
– Each profession has a different duration, usually between 24 and 36 months.
– Completion of an apprenticeship is required for specific job titles and functions.
– Rules and laws for trade and craftwork apprenticeships are strict and reflect medieval origins.
– The average duration of these apprenticeships is about 36 months.
– After completion, apprentices can call themselves journeyman of their respective professions.
– Journeymen can continue their education at masters school for 3-4 years or full-time for about one year.
– Graduation from masters school leads to the title of a master craftsman.
Note: The information about the license for educating apprentices and the subtopic about the apprenticeship of trade and craft professions can be included in the respective groups. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apprenticeship_in_Germany
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Apprenticeships are part of Germany's dual education system, and as such form an integral part of many people's working life. Finding employment without having completed an apprenticeship is almost impossible[citation needed]. For some particular technical university professions, such as food technology, a completed apprenticeship is often recommended; for some, such as marine engineering it may even be mandatory.
