Competence focussed initial and continuing education and training of vocational school teachers

There is a high level of professionalization in the initial and continuing education and training of teachers at vocational schools. A university degree ensures a professional standard and the practical school-based teaching practice with a seminar structure ensures that prospective teachers have sufficient practical teaching expertise. But does a higher professional standard also mean a higher degree of professionalism for the teaching profession and the work involved? And which concepts can the combined efforts of institutions involved in initial and continuing education and training of teachers use to enable successful life-long work as a teacher in vocational schools? The article examines these issues for the German state of Saxony Anhalt.