Dual vocational education and training in the D‑A-CH region
Dual vocational education and training in Germany, Austria and Switzerland is internationally regarded as a successful model, yet the comparative data basis still shows gaps in detail. A pilot project launched in 2024 aims to establish regular monitoring of developments in dual VET in the D‑A-CH region, based on selected indicators. A first report was published one year ago. A follow-up report is now available, continuing the monitoring and introducing new indicators, for example on the nationality of apprentices, participation in training, and developments in selected apprenticeships. Higher VET is also addressed.
The results show that, despite many similarities, developments in the three countries differ considerably. While the number of apprentices in Germany has declined sharply over the past two decades, the decrease in Austria has been more moderate; in Switzerland, there has even been a slight increase. Relevant differences can also be observed in the share of an age cohort entering dual VET, in the participation of women, and in the increasing internationalisation of training.
The report highlights the extent to which developments in dual VET are shaped by the respective institutional and demographic context. This is precisely why cross-country monitoring is valuable: it helps to make shared trends visible and to better contextualise differences between the training systems.
Further information can be found in the research report (with annex; both in German) by 3s Research & Consulting, in cooperation with the Institute for Research on Qualifications and Training of the Austrian Economy (ibw), the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB), and the Swiss Observatory for Vocational Education and Training OBS EHB, as well as in the detailed BIBB press release.
image by AMS / Chloe Potter
Contact: Jörg Markowitsch
