The approaches of four countries to vocational training for youth are described: West Germany's dual system; the Swedish vocational preparation system; the Certificate of Professional Aptitude in France; and Great Britain's Youth Training Scheme. (SK)

The author describes the West German "dual system" pattern of vocational training. This pattern requires collaboration between employers and vocational schools; employers teach their apprentices the practical side of the job, while schools provide the necessary theoretical instruction. Problems, including limited opportunities for women…

The adequate way to discuss problems of vocational education more generally is that taken by Resnick (1987). She feels that the relationship between general and vocational education, and their respective and common aims, problems, and restrictions, must be outlined primarily substantially and not only organizationally. Resnick tries to combine the…

West German apprenticeship combined with part-time vocational schooling--the dual system--provides a smooth transition from school into careers for German youth. One source of complexity in the structure of apprenticeship is the relationship between apprenticeship, which is controlled nationally, and vocational schooling, which is controlled by…

This report presents results of a visit of vocational education practitioners from the United Kingdom to the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) to study the spread of career development education. An introduction describes vocational education and training in the FRG and the activities of the three groups of specialists in the visiting party who…

This report presents papers on the vocational qualifications systems in Sweden, France, the Netherlands, the Federal Republic of Germany, and England and Wales. An introduction (Russ Russell) looks at common themes. The paper on Sweden (Gun Cardell) addresses vocational education opportunities, curriculum and standards, costs, youth and…

Tackles the "floundering period" between high school graduation and noncollege-bound students' first career-entry job. Blames age, an unfavorable labor market, and disjunctions between the labor market and the school system. Describes West Germany's system of apprenticeship and part-time schooling and advocates exploiting experiential…

Since the states of the Federal Republic of Germany enjoy autonomy regarding all educational matters, coordination is ensured by various commissions and ministries. Compulsory full-time education from ages 6 to 15 is followed by compulsory part-time release until age 18. Education is divided into primary, lower secondary, upper secondary, and…

These five papers describe the educational system of the German Democratic Republic (GDR). An introduction by Derek Marsh overviews the climate for and aims of education in the GDR. "A Brief Introduction to the GDR" (Jean Finlayson) summarizes the economic background, standard of living, role of women, politics, religion, sports and…

The Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) has developed five sets of measures to respond to the problems of the transition from school to working life. These are (1) Arbeitslehre (learning about the world of work); (2) vocational guidance, involving multimedia, open-access vocational information centers and close coordination with the Arbeitslehre…

In the Federal Republic of Germany the most important form of training leading to a vocational qualification and the focus of all initial vocational training is the "dual system" of in-firm and in-school learning. Other forms of initial vocational training include apprenticeships, training in a firm, and vocational schools. Trainers…

Six observers studied both school-to-work transition programs for youth and retraining programs for adult workers in three Western European countries--West Germany, Sweden, and England. They identified European solutions to a pressing problem in the United States: youth and adult workers whose skills are inadequate for today's and tomorrow's jobs.…

Discusses study of tenth and eleventh graders that was undertaken to determine how paid employment influences the behavior and attitudes of adolescents. Topics discussed include the development of responsibility, isolation from adults, negative effects of working, and West Germany's system of apprenticeship combined with part-time schooling. (10…

A party of vocational educators from the United Kingdom (UK) traveled to the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) to examine West German education and training for the hairdressing industry. During their study, the British educators examined the training with respect to entry into further education, industry, and school; vocational preparation;…

A party of vocational educators from the United Kingdom (UK) traveled to the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) to observe the role of industrial tutors in providing technical training to German workers. During their study, the investigators focused their attention on the role of the meister in the vocational education and training system in…