Dual Apprenticeship and Continuing Vocational Education and Training in Central and Eastern Europe

Greater co-operation and exchange with Eastern Europe

In Germany, the cooperative education system, which has been standardised since 1969, has proven its worth. However, this system is not yet well established in other Central and Eastern European countries, which also contributes to the lack of qualified specialists there.

This is a major obstacle for family businesses that see great growth potential there – but one that can be overcome. At least that is the view of the authors of a recent study conducted on behalf of the Foundation for Family Businesses, which analyses how companies in the region are already conducting vocational training and at the same time provides further recommendations for companies and education policy.

Among other things, the authors argue in favour of foreign and German education ministries cooperating with each other in future. But companies should also work together more closely. Vocational trainees there should be given the opportunity to spend time at the parent company in Germany.

The commissioned researchers from the University of Bremen analysed a total of seven countries that are important for German foreign trade: Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Serbia.