“Vocational education and training is particularly effective when its stakeholders assume responsibility together”

Dr Sandra Garbade became President of the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) on 1 August 2026. Dr Garbade originally qualified as a bank clerk and then worked as a vocational school teacher before going on to obtain a PhD in business education. To this extent, her CV is quite typical for the BIBB. She also brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table from other varied professional roles. In this interview, Dr Garbade looks at the current challenges facing vocational education and training and explains how she is seeking to join forces with all stakeholders in order to shape the sector and to enhance its profile further.