The Dual vet system The secret behind the success of Germany and Austria 1

g. Trainees
Training period
Germany
2 – 3,5 years
Austria
2-4 years

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An introduction to the dual VET system
18
Two examples for the division of responsibilities in the dual vocational 
training systems of Germany and Austria:
Dual training in Germany has a long his-
tory. In the distant past, of course, train-
ing took place in the company alone. The 
dual system began to take shape when 
compulsory school attendance was intro-
duced. Efforts to provide systematic train-
ing were already made in the middle Ages 
in the area of the skilled crafts and trades. 
The training partners in the economy 
are industry, commerce, agriculture, the 
liberal professions, public administra-
tions, health services, and inter-company 
training venues. The various Chambers 
(‘competent bodies’) are responsible for 
advising companies, registering trainees, 
certifying trainers’ specialist aptitude, 
accepting examinations and conducting 
social dialogue at regional level. The ex-
amination boards are composed of repre-
sentatives of employers, employees and 
vocational schools. The chamber sets up 
a vocational training board, which must 
be consulted in important matters of vo-
cational training. It is composed of equal 
numbers of representatives of companies, 
unions and – in an advisory capacity – 
part-time vocational schools.
The partnership between employers and 
unions manifests itself at federal level 
through cooperation in the main commit-
tee of the Federal Institute for Vocation-
al Education and Training (BIBB), at Land 
level in the competent ministry’s VET 
committee, and at regional level in the 
Chambers’ VET committees and examina-
tion committees. 
The social partners have responsibilities 
at four levels: 
1. National level: participation in develop-
ing training programmes / standards, rec-
ommendations in all areas and aspects of 
VET. 
2. Regional level: 
» “Land” level – recommendations in 
all areas of VET in respect of coor-
dination between school and enter-
prise; 
» Level of the competent bodies – ad-
vice, supervision of training provi-
sion in enterprises, implementation 
of examinations, award of qualifica-
tions. 
3. Sectorial level: negotiations on provi-
sion of training places; collective agree-
ments on remuneration of training. 
4. Company level: planning and imple-
mentation of in-company training.

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19
The secret behind the success of Germany and Austria
The success and further development of 
the dual system are ensured by the part-
nership of many institutions and esta- 
blishments at various levels.