Changes in the Governance Structure of the Dual Vocational Training System in Germany

Abstract

In comparison with other initial vocational training models, the dual vocational training system has a distinguishing feature in its governance style, which is known as ‘corporate governance’. This means that the employers' association and chamber (employers' representative) play the main role in the initial vocational training. In principle, public officials at federal and state government level only lay down the fundamental legal frameworks and entrust the implementation of the system itself to self-governance by the employers' association. This works as a dual system on the basis of totally voluntary participation by the employers, who therefore need to meet two conditions in order to make it function effectively. First, to maintain the legitimacy of this style of governance, the employers must offer enough apprenticeship places to accommodate all applicants. Secondly, they must bear responsibility for the cost of in-firm training.