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The journal reports on research findings and practical experience with issues from vocational education and training, thus fostering an exchange between education research, day-to-day education practice and education policy.
Current issue
Ecological transformation (BWP 4/2023)
A huge expansion of renewable energies is needed if climate goals are to be achieved. The areas of transport, and electricity and heat generation especially affected. Alongside the emphasis on growing renewable energies, there is a further focus on aspects such as energy-efficient building construction and on the resources-efficient production and environmentally friendly transportation of goods.
This issue of BWP investigates which sectors, occupations and companies face particular demands in this regard. It also looks at how the ecological transformation is affecting the development and training of skilled workers and at the challenges which are emerging for the vocational education and training system.
The Paris Agreement of 2015 sets out climate and energy goals for the year 2050. Attention is now being directed towards attaining these objectives and addressing necessary changes in trade and industry and in society. This is associated with adaptations in all economic sectors and in terms of occupational actions. In this interview, Professor Dirk Messner explores what has been achieved and neglected thus far and explains what remains to be done along the pathway to a climate-neutral economy, including with respect to skilled worker training.
In March 2023, the European Commission presented a proposal for a directive on a “right to repair”. The aim is for consumers to be able to use products for longer, thus leading to greater resource efficiency in the interests of a circular economy. This article uses a scenario analysis to investigate what implications different repair behaviour and longer duration of use will have for the labour market, the areas in which job shifts will occur between sectors and occupations, and what this will mean in terms of securing a supply of qualified skilled workers.
The establishment of a hydrogen economy is a key element of German climate policy. This article summarises the results of two BIBB projects which have been examining the impacts of the hydrogen ramp-up on the labour market as a whole and on the dual VET system. Alongside the expected positive economic impetuses and employment effects, it is revealed that existing training occupations already offer good initial starting points for hydrogen-related tasks. Nevertheless, there is a need for more precisely tailored training provision.
Heat provision is about to change radically. From 2024 onwards, at least 65 percent of the energy used by future heating systems will need to come from renewable sources. Gas and oil-fired systems are on the way out. Heating engineering, the gas grid and occupations relating to improving the energy efficiency of buildings will all play a key part in this shift. There are many ways of generating internal heating in a way which lessens its carbon footprint. This article offers a more detailed presentation of heat pumps and of hydrogen combustion in heating systems and also considers possible implications for occupational profiles and for the tasks performed by skilled workers.
How will the ecological transformation and the energy transition change occupational tasks and jobs? How will VET and company stakeholders position themselves in order to drive forward the ecological transformation of occupational tasks even though it is still difficult to assess the extent and nature of the “greening” that occupations will undergo? This article uses various discussions and research works as a basis for presenting an initial overview of the discourse in France, which covers everything from systemic challenges to the necessary competency development of skilled workers.
VET has a key function in the implementation of the European Green Deal. It makes an important contribution to the training of skilled workers for the economy’s green transformation. This article highlights examples of VET strategies and approaches from four EU countries.
Julia Hünniger; Lennart Michaelis; Stefanie B. Seitz
The energy transition is exerting multifarious effects on the automobile sector and its supplier industry and is requiring companies to make adaptations. The “BeaT” project examines these impacts for employees at companies based in Thuringia and develops appropriate continuing training concepts. This study shows that new learning processes and formats are necessary in order to take account of the requirements of the changing automobile sector. Rapid knowledge networking is particularly crucial for e-mobility suppliers. The use of peer learning approaches has proved successful and is fostering flexible continuing training possibilities.
The switch from linear to circular value creation requires companies to make huge changes. Although it can be demonstrated that positive effects are associated with this process, very infrequent use is being made of VET support provision. In order to assist SMEs along this pathway in particular, training modules have been developed, piloted and established in the GEKONAWItransfer project.
In April 2023, the VET Specialist Forum, part of the National “Education for Sustainable Development” (ESD) Platform, submitted a position paper in which the particular characteristics and specific strengths of VET for ESD were set out. This article presents the objective and contents of the position paper.
Two advanced training programmes are being developed and piloted in the InnoVET project “UpTrain”. Practically relevant networking is emerging as part of the learning process via the integration of three sector-related learning venues into the programmes. This article describes the significance of green skills in the advanced training courses and initial experiences with the trial learning.
Germany is seeking to accomplish the energy transition by entering into energy partnerships with hydrogen-producing countries. Such partnerships also encompass continuing training courses for local skilled workers. This article presents an example of such knowledge transfer from a cooperation agreement with hydrogen producers in Chile.
Although chemical and pharmaceutical production is highly automated, malfunctions and disruptions frequently occur. Competent action on the part of skilled workers is particularly relevant in such situations in order to avoid or mitigate any negative consequences. Which competencies are relevant in this context, and what can be done to support competent action? This article addresses these questions and concludes by setting out the possible implications for the initial and continuing training of skilled workers.
Despite the current shortage of labour and a high number of vacant training places, many young people find it difficult to make the transition from school to fully qualifying training. This mainly affects young people without or with only a basic school leaving certificate. For this reason, they are more likely to find themselves in education and training courses within the transitional sector. Although there are already research results relating to the life situation of these young people, virtually no empirical findings are available in respect of the teaching that takes place in education and training courses in the transitional sector. This applies in particular to lesson planning, the topic addressed in this article. The results of a qualitative survey of teaching staff are presented.
Modernised advanced training regulations for the qualification of Certified Professional Specialist for Motor Vehicle Service Technology entered into force on 30 September 2023. This article examines the origin and previous use of this advanced training provision with a particular focus on the interlinking with the master craftsperson qualification in the motor vehicle craft trades sector and on the necessity for modernisation. At a content level, it also looks at the occupational profile and examination regulations.
Optician is a training occupation for people who enjoy advising customers, appreciate highly precise work and would like to use technical skills. This description of an occupation explores the most important tasks and why the employment opportunities for trained opticians are so good.
