Permeability: Transparency and Transfer Opportunities in the Education System
In Germany the apprenticeship scheme is well embedded within the VET system and can look back on a long tradition. About 70 percent of the learners in the VET system belong to the dual apprenticeship system. The regular dual vocational training takes place in the company and the vocational school, with the company share accounting for around 60 to 80 percent, the school-based part 20 to 40 percent.
Access to higher education is available through:
1. Academic Aptitude Test
The Academic Aptitude Test enables particularly qualified professionals to obtain a certificate of general higher education entrance qualification. In addition to completing vocational training (including dual vocational training), admission requirements are a minimum age of 25 and - depending on the training completed - a 5 to 7-year professional practice. The examination consists of a written and an oral part.
2. Double qualification program
Offers the possibility to obtain an apprenticeship training in combination with a university entrance qualification regarding universities of applied sciences.
3. Dual course of study
These dual models allow participants with a vocational qualification to attend study programmes at higher education institutions without an university entrance qualification; this scheme takes place either via a part-time or a full-time employment and requires the cooperation of the employer, e.g. in the form of a part-time employment contract.
4. Upper vocational school
Apprentices can obtain a vocational university entrance qualification after attending one year at such upper vocational schools; this enables studying at universities of applied sciences.
5. Master craftsperson examination
University access for professionally qualified applicants without a university entrance qualification master: craftspersons, technicians and business administrators are granted such an access qualification.
6. Subject-specific university entrance for the professionally qualified
Professionally qualified students who have at least two years of vocational training and at least three years of professional experience - “in an area related to the desired course of study” obtain a subject-specific university entrance qualification (valid for universities as well as universities of applied sciences).
7. Vocational university entrance qualification
Vocational university entrance qualification provides the acquisition of a recognized professional qualification as well as a general university entrance qualification. In order to meet the respective federal circumstances, three different model variants have been developed; all these models have in common that they legally meet the requirements of dual apprenticeship training (4-year duration, company and vocational school locations, trainees are in a training contract).
Non-traditional access to apprenticeship is fostered through:
For graduates with a university entrance qualification apprenticeship training can be shortened by up to one year.
Further sources:
https://www.dualeducationfinder.eu/sites/default/files/downloads/report-permeability.pdf