[1][2] In the Duales Ausbildungssystem, students can learn one of 250 (as of 2022) apprenticeship occupations (Ausbildungsberufe), such as Doctor's Assistant, Dispensing Optician or Oven Builder.
[4] In France, dual education (formation en alternance) has gained a lot of popularity since the 1990s, with information technology being the greatest draw.
This hybrid model of education and vocational training is designed to give students both practical knowledge and theoretical skills, providing comprehensive understanding of the chosen field.
[10] Historically, vocational training was organized by the various guilds through apprenticeships, as their members sought to ensure that they had a talented labor pool to perpetuate their respective industries.
[10] This high level of coordination allowed for the development of public education programs and firm specific apprenticeships that are complementary and mutually reinforcing.
In France, the same amount of time is supposed to be spent in practical training and theory, with the following possible systems: French companies must provide a tutor or other person responsible for the students, or a human resources officer to supervise them.
French apprentices on the dual education course are paid a certain percentage of the minimum wage for the job they are learning.
In Germany, for most trades, the first examination takes place about half-way through the vocational training and is only to test how well the student is doing so far: the marks do not go towards the final exam.
[13] Furthermore, the system effectively provides huge savings for firms on recruitment costs, as they are aware of and invested in the skills of potential hires.
[10] It is also seen as a contributor to the economic success of Germany's world renowned firms, as the highly skilled workforce can contribute directly to improvements in production and service delivery.
This system was grown in Germany over a period of time under very specific conditions and cannot easily be adapted in other modernized countries.
This allows apprentices to not only specialize early on but maintain the basic education needed to react flexibly in the future.
High-college costs and economic inequality mean that the local government must provide even more for certain individuals to succeed for the system to work.
[16] Finally, the long culture of apprenticeship makes sense in Germany but produces social stigmas in other foreign nations as it is seen as inferior as opposed to the traditional educational pathway.
Since certificates are standardized across all industries, the dual education system ensures that apprentices receive the same training regardless of region or company.
Dual education was designed to make it easier for employers seeking new employees by allowing them to test potential candidates as apprentices and create a smoother flow for the hiring process.
The modern era of rapid economic and technological change has expanded the role of the dual education system in the labor force.