Factors leading people to drop out from

VET and VET-specific policy responses –

Critical insights from Germany

Kristina Alice Hensen

1.1 " Basic Issues of Internationalisation / Monitoring of Vocational Education and

Training Systems", BIBB

Cedefop Workshop: The role of VET in reducing early leaving from education and training; Thessaloniki, 03/04 June 2014

1. Dropping out from VET – The German context

2. Some statistics from Germany

3. Factors associated with early leaving from VET

4. Conclusion I

5. Negative consequences of early leaving from VET

6. Policy measures that address early leaving from VET

7. Conclusion II

Outline

The dual system forms the core element of vocational education

and training in Germany.

There are no formal access requirements.

Dual training is characterised by two learning venues –

companies and vocational training schools.

People successfully completing training are qualified to be

employed as skilled workers.

In Germany a contract dissolution does not necessarily mean a

final dropout from VET.

Two threshold: school - vocational training / training - work

Dropping out from VET – A problem of understanding

BIBB Data Report shows the rate of dissolved training contracts

on an annual basis.

2011 BIBB Transition Study is a representative study on

students in dual training.

Sample: N = 2,208; 18-24 year-olds

Results:

12% of young people did not successfully complete training within

the first three years.

Drop our rates: 3% during the first four months; 6% during the first

year; 10% after 24 months and finally 12% within 36 months.

Different drop out rates with regard to gender.

Women (15%) leave dual training more often than men,

unsuccessfully (12%).

Some statistics from Germany

In Germany a drop out from VET can mean to enter/continue

VET again in several forms.

34% commence dual training within two years.

10% enter training in school-based occupations or civil service

training.

3% start to a higher education programme.

Some statistics from Germany

Factors associated with early leaving from VET

Source: 2011 BIBB Transition Study

If training occupation does not match with the desired

occupation the risk of dropout increases and is three times

higher than for those who enter training in their preferred

occupation.

Some sectors/occupations are very unattractive which leads to

drop out and problems of recruitment.

Sectors with problems of attractiveness: service, the hotel and

restaurant, care.

Reasons: low amount of training remuneration, long working

hours (especially in hotels and restaurants), the high workload,

quality issues.

Factors associated with early leaving from VET

Conclusion I

Several factors lead to early leaving from VET

In Germany there is a different understanding of “dropping out”

from VET.

Although a contract dissolution can be an opportunity for a new

start, it is associated with insecurity and a loss of resources in

the form of time, energy and money on both sides (companies

and apprentice).

The drop out rate varies from branch to branch. This indicates

branch-specific problems such as low levels of remuneration,

high workload and quality issues.

Policy measures that address early leaving from VET

Several initiatives and programs are launched to address early

leaving from VET.

Cooperation between central government, regional

government and the federal employment agencies.

“National Pact for Career Training and Skilled Manpower

Development in Germany” - 2010-2014

“Qualify and Connect – Education chains up to the completion of

training” (Abschluss und Anschluss - Bildungsketten bis zum

Ausbildungsabschluss) - 2010-2014

“Initiative to Preventing training dropouts“ (Verhinderung von

Ausbildungsabbrüchen – VerA) – 2008-2014

„Coach@school“ - 2010-2014

Other permanent programmes of vocational guidance

Policy measures that address early leaving from VET

Raising the Attractiveness of VET: The information campaign

“Vocational Education – Practically Unbeatable” (Berufliche

Bildung – Praktisch unschlagbar)

Februar 2013: Joint Declaration “Greater use of possibilities of

the dual part-time vocational training for young mothers and

fathers” (Möglichkeiten der dualen Teilzeitberufsausbildung für

junge Mütter und Väter stärker nutzen)

Conclusion II

The fact that the pay of qualified skilled workers is higher than

that of unqualified workers may be viewed as a significant

incentive for completing training.

A good company atmosphere, individual instruction, fair payment

and good company learning conditions have a positive impact on

reducing training dropouts.

Several career orientation/guidance and mentoring/coaching

programs for individual support in the transition from school to

work and during the training.

Thank you for your attention!

If you have any enquiries, please contact

Kristina Alice Hensen (hensen@bibb.de)

or visit:

http://www.bibb.de/de/1480.htm

Annex

Reasons that influence the decision to discontinue VET

Source: 2011 BIBB Transition Study

Reasons that influence the decision to discontinue VET

Source: 2011 BIBB Transition Study

Reasons that influence the decision to discontinue VET

Source: 2011 BIBB Transition Study

Negative consequences of early leaving from VET

For companies:

The investment in training has led to no benefit. In addition to this, they

also loose the apprentice who has dropped out as a member of the

workforce.

For apprentices:

Dropping out of an apprenticeship means that they need to make a

successful transition to a new training company.