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Abstract
Despite the heavy investments in the economic development of East German industry, the region still faces immanent structural challenges that affect the provision of vocational education and training (VET), in particular apprenticeships, and the availability of a well skilled workforce. In this article the situation of the economy as well as new trends in the provision of VET in the Eastern states are outlined in order to provide necessary background information for the understanding of various innovative approaches that are taken to meet current and future workforce development needs. Although some of these approaches are viewed critically by industry stakeholders, politicians and researchers, the examination of selected projects indicates that they can be viewed as innovative attempts leading to positive change. Despite the fact that some of these projects are intended to implement sustainable structures, the results of the interviews point to the need for further public financial support.
Acknowledgement
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Cedefop.
Notes
1. The Report on Vocational Education and Training for 2009 in English, published by the Ministry of Education and Research (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung), is available online at: http://www.bmbf.de/de/berufsbildungsbericht.php.
2. Abitur is the highest school degree in Germany that enables its holders to study at institutions of higher education, especially universities.