Workshop discusses development of dual VET in South Korea and Germany

From 13 to 15 November 2019, researchers from the BIBB partner institution, Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training (KRIVET) visited the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) together with representatives of the Human Resources Development Service of Korea (HRD Korea). KRIVET and BIBB has existed since 2000 and was renewed at the beginning of 2018 with a focus on comparative research and dialogue on education policy.

Development prospects for vocational education and training

BIBB expert Dr. Philipp Grollmann presented the results of the CEDEFOP project "Changing Nature and Role of VET" (2016 - 2018) in which BIBB was involved. The analysis focused on developments in VET in general and the future of in-company vocational training in particular. The discussion of development scenarios for dual VET in Europe concluded his presentation.

BIBB expert Markus Bretschneider informed the Korean guests about the latest research findings of an occupational and sector screening analysis as part of the BIBB/BMBF initiative "VET 4.0 - Qualifications and Competences for Tomorrow's Digitalised World of Work" (2016 - 2018). One objective of the study was to gain indications of future important competency requirements in various occupations and sectors in order to derive recommendations for future regulatory work on training occupations. In his presentation, the BIBB expert also provided practical information and insights on developments in agricultural occupations.

Current reforms aim to strengthen dual vocational education and training in South Korea

In presentations and discussions, the Korean experts provided insights into the developments of the so-called Work-Learning Dual System, a subsystem of the Korean VET system, and current implementation challenges.

Following previous reforms, South Korea increasingly focuses on aspects of lifelong learning and new qualification requirements in the context of industry 4.0 in dual-oriented VET. A law passed in the summer of 2019 on support for apprenticeship in companies aims at increasing the attractiveness of VET for learners and companies. One focus of the reforms is the improved permeability of the education system, for example through the creation of VET programmes in tertiary education. In the context of the new law, training occupation profiles in the area of dual VET are to be created which are geared to the needs and changing requirements of the industry. VET qualifications acquired in dual VET programmes should be anchored in the national qualification system.

SWB provide insights into the organisation of in-company VET

On the last day, the South Korean delegation visited the combined heat and power plant of the public utility company, Stadtwerke Bonn (SWB). Mr. Rolf Driller, technician and Mr. Paul Becker, trainer for industrial and technical occupations, took time to answer questions about the process and organization of in-company training, as well as about the development of occupation profiles in the course of the advancing mechanization and digitization in power plant operation over the last decades. As a company with more than 2,200 employees and about 35 new trainees per year, SWB was particularly well suited for the Korean delegation to gain insights into the systematic design of in-company training in large companies.