More people starting degree courses than vocational education and training?

It seems that young people are increasingly less interested in vocational education and training and are turning increasingly instead to a degree course. In 2013, the number of new entrants in the higher education sector was higher than in dual vocational education and training as per Vocational Training Act/Crafts Code. The discussion surrounding the academization in Germany is characterized by concerns about a skills shortage in the mid-qualification segment. The extent to which the ratio between vocational education and training has actually shifted is examined in this article based on data currently available from official statistics.