Latest developments

Germany's academic path peaks with a doctorate at the top DQF/EQF level 8, but vocational training has no equivalent. Yet highly skilled workers with vocational qualifications often perform at that elite level after advanced training. The DQF-8-BB-Excellence project explores how to recognise this formally.  read more

In August 2025, seven updated vocational apprenticeship occupations have come into effect in Germany. The Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB), together with partners from industry, trade unions, and government, is responding to evolving technological, environmental, and social demands in the labour market.  read more

Artificial intelligence (AI) in vocational education and training (VET) is the theme of the Hermann Schmidt Prize for 2025, underscoring the growing importance of AI in the German VET system.  read more

The high value placed on apprenticeships in Germany is reflected in yet another significant increase in apprenticeship remuneration for 2024, following a continuous rise in previous years. Particularly companies in sectors experiencing a shortage of applicants, have increased apprentice salaries to attract more young talent. As a result, regional and occupation-related pay inequalities have decreased significantly.  read more

Skilled craft occupations have a long tradition in Germany but are currently suffering from shortages of apprentices. Several initiatives from trade associations and politicians are supporting craft businesses in making a career in the crafts sector more visible and attractive for young people.  read more

The VET report from the education ministry and the complementary data report from the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training provide figures from the past reporting year on VET activities, and contextualise them against the background of socio-political situations at regional, national and international/global levels and over a longer period of time. Positive developments on the VET market are set against current and future challenges for German VET. Both reports were published in May 2024.  read more

The growing shortage of skilled labour is a real challenge in many European countries. In 2022, the German government presented its Skilled labour strategy. One of the fields of action is the implementation of a modern immigration policy. The Skilled Immigration Act was revised, and since November 2023 the amendments have entered successively into force, adapting the immigration policy to the training and labour market needs.  read more

Since September 2023, the new portal ‘Stays abroad in training’ has been offering comprehensive guidance on how institutions can enable and support their apprentices in acquiring skills abroad. It targets stakeholders involved in apprenticeships, such as training companies, vocational schools and chambers. The new portal complements the existing portal ‘My apprenticeship abroad’, which provides counselling services to apprentices themselves.  read more

Many VET policy measures focusing on vocational orientation for young people are being launched to counteract the shortage of skilled workers, the decline in training numbers and high dropout rates. The current issue of BIBB's journal Berufsbildung in Wissenschaft und Praxis (Vocational training in research and practice) (BWP 2/2023) summarises the latest findings.  read more

Digitalisation and the energy transition require new skilled workers, while the numbers of young people opting for vocational training are declining. The Excellence in VET initiative addresses these challenges in VET with a portfolio of new and already established programmes.  read more

The integration of digital learning technologies in apprenticeship have proven to be a competitive advantage in the search for applicants. Currently, various projects are promoting the use of digital technologies in VET, such as data glasses (augmented reality glasses, AR glasses), virtual reality and artificial intelligence (AI).  read more