Dual study courses were created as a form of educational provision offering both an academic and a practical vocational qualification. The coupling of competence acquisition in both higher education and practical company-based contexts is aimed at supporting learning transfer and hence achieving a benefit over purely academic or purely hands-on forms of initial vocational training. There is, however, a lack of clear criteria for describing this duality.
Ministers from the European Union (EU) Member States, candidate countries, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein have endorsed the new medium-term deliverables for vocational education and training (VET), known as the Riga conclusions.
As early as last year, the 7th "National Integration Summit" decided to provide supervision for 10,000 apprenticeship placements. The goal: to help young people with difficulties in completing a vocational education and training course in the regular manner or in finding an apprenticeship placement in the first place.
The German Education Center Co., Ltd. has been opened in Beijing. It will offer programmes in the fields of "Environment", "Logistics and Transport", "Automobiles" and "Healthcare". The project is funded by the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).
The US (United States) and Germany are moving toward closer cooperation on education and workforce training with the newly-signed Joint Declaration of Intent. The German Federal Ministries of Education and Research, Economic Affairs and Energy, and Labour and Social Affairs have been working with the US Departments of Commerce, Labor, and Education to develop the joint declaration, which will outline the shared belief of the importance of technical education while strengthening ties between the nations.
As a follow up of Indian Prime Minister Modi's visit to Hannover, Germany and his dialogue with Chancellor Merkel on the agenda of skill development, a workshop was held highlighting the German dual system of apprenticeship training. The workshop organized by Confederation of Indian Industry, supported by Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, was held on 25 June 2015, in New Delhi.
