Proposals to reform school-to-IVET transitions attract only conditional consensus

Given the problems faced by many young people during the transition from school into initial vocational education and training (IVET), how to increase the accessibility of the IVET system is a matter for debate. In a round of the BIBB "Vocational Training Experts Monitor" survey at the end of 2010, around 500 experts commented on various reform proposals. Their ratings are presented in this article. These indicate that the only policy concepts likely to command a consensus in Germany are those which leave the existing rules on access to IVET intact. Reforms which restrict the autonomy of businesses' decision-making in the recruitment of apprentices therefore have little or no chance of implementation. In contrast, there is broad approval for innovations in the transition system and more intensive support measures for companies and young people.