Putting Acquired Knowledge into Practical Use
When I first started learning more about the German education system I read over and over again how stellar their vocational schooling opportunities are. We were lucky enough to visit the Berufkolleg in Bonn and get to speak with many of their students about the programs and classes offered there.
The Berufskolleg uses a model called then "dual engagement program," in which students spend half of their days in school and half in an industry location. They strive to put acquired knowledge into practical use. Over the course of the week students are in the building either two or there days. The other two or three days they are at their job placement with a local company. The schedule changes bi-weekly to be able to account for half-time in each location. While at school students take "normal" secondary classes like German and Maths, as well as classes best suited to their vocation. This whole school, and others like it, are heavily regulated and planned. You can find a list of all of the skills to be learned for each program and several agencies have input into the training of the students. For example, the agriculture program curriculum and assessments are formed by the Department of Agriculture, the home school, and a regulatory board of people currently in the ag. industry. Watch this short video for a great overview of the dual engagement system and why it works for Germany vocational training. Or read more here.
I love this model of vocational training. Its a high level of hands-on training in an actual real-life work environment. This is not just about theory with an activity thrown in occasionally. Students were already making a difference in the field. The agriculture class we shadowed had recently taken on a project to help raise money for victims of the floods that ruined property and took lives the Germany the previous year. In each of the classes we visited students were excited to talk about their job placements, and many of them can look forward to a job with the company in the future.
Example of a student schedule
The Berufskolleg Bonn-Dusseldorf focuses on two programs: Agriculture and Business. The agriculture topics include plants and animals of course, but also a strong focus on landscaping, designing playgrounds, stonework, restoration, and private design. The business program covers topics such as workplace safety issues, ergonomics, understanding HR roles in firing, hiring and mediating. The business class we sat in on was creating and giving presentations on common workplace safety measures, and it was all material that could be immediately used in the workplace. This is so different from much of our training. My education classes consisted of lots and lots of theory before we ever made it to a classroom and had practical experience. The Berufskolleg allows students a three month trial period when they enter the program to make sure it is a good fit for them. If it isn't, they may switch to a different program.
While the programs offered at the Berufskolleg were fascinating, the stars of the show were of course the students. Students in each class sweet to talk to and eager to share about their programs (or help me correct my German). We met with a representative group several times in their student cafe and they were always giddy to ask us questions about American schools and examine the differences. One thing I noticed about the school was the artwork and images on some of the walls. So much of it was about helping each other and being a citizen of the European Union as much as a citizen of Germany.
The trip to Berufskolleg was an eye-opening experience to see what power vocational training can have.
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