The German Dual Vocational Education and Training System (VET), 2017
Information tour for US-American Governors and their delegations
On behalf of the Goethe-Institut Visitors Programme
www.goethe.de
On behalf of the Goethe-Institut Visitors Program, this information tour for three US governors and their delegations was planned, organized and implemented in 2017 in cooperation with the National Governors Association (NGA), Presence Switzerland and the Hamburg Institute for Vocational Education and Training (HIBB).
The purpose of this trip was an examination of the dual vocational and training systems of Germany and Switzerland. In the planning, duplication of content had to be avoided, but similarities and differences had to be worked out so that the participants could gain a comprehensive insight into the dual training systems of both countries.
In order to ensure this, overview presentations were offered, the responsible ministries and subordinate education authorities were involved, meetings with representatives of the various chambers and trade unions were organized and companies and industrial enterprises as well as vocational schools from various sectors were visited in Switzerland and Germany.
Presence Switzerland was responsible for the Swiss part of the trip.
3 Nights Berlin
1 Day Hamburg
Itinerary
Day 1
Morning
Today the second part of your information trip on the subject of Dual Vocational Education and Training System (VET) begins with your transfer flight from Switzerland to Germany.
Noon
Arrival in Berlin and warm welcome by your tour guide
Afterwards
Transfer by coach to a vocational school. There you will first get an overview of the vocational school and the various training opportunities offered there.
You will then visit the school and have the opportunity to talk to teachers and students.
Afternoon
Transfer to the hotel, check-in and short break
Afterwards
Transfer to the US-American Embassy by coach
Afterwards
At a reception, you will first receive a briefing on the tasks and concrete activities of the US Embassy with a focus on business relations and vocational training. You will then have the opportunity to briefly introduce yourself and your delegations and then to exchange ideas with representatives of local and foreign business, politics and culture.
Evening
Dinner at the embassy
Afterwards
Walk back to the nearby hotel or – optionally – guided tour through the historic Berlin city center.
Day 2
Morning
Transfer to Berlin central railway station
Afterwards
Train ride from Berlin to Hamburg by high speed train
Morning
Arrival in Hamburg and transfer to a vocational school.
Afterwards
First, a presentation will give you an overview of the German dual vocational education and training system (VET) and its similarities and differences compared to the Swiss dual education system.
Afterwards
Get an overview of the vocational school and the various training opportunities it offers.
During a tour of the school you will have the opportunity to talk to teachers and students.
Noon
Working lunch with representatives of the Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber of Crafts and the German Trade Union Federation (DGB) Hamburg.
Afternoon
You will visit an industrial company and can experience the practical side of the dual training system first hand by visiting the company and the training workshop and by talking directly to trainers and apprentices.
Afterwards
Transfer to Hamburg central railway station
Afterwards
Return to Berlin by high speed train
Evening
Arrival in Berlin and transfer to your hotel.
Afterwards
Group dinner
Day 3
Morning
Transfer to an industrial company
Afterwards
Presentation of the various company training courses and the in-house training academy.
Afterwards
A tour of the site provides an opportunity for discussion and further exchange.
Noon
Group Lunch together with company representatives
Afternoon
Visit to the Federal Ministry of Education and Research where you will receive information on the responsibilities, tasks and concrete work of the Ministry with regard to the dual training system.
Evening
Group dinner
Afterwards
Visit of a classical concert
Day 4
During the day
Individual return flights to the USA
