Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training INFO Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training Researching Advising Shaping the future
Contents About BIBB 3 Organisational framework 4 Tasks 5 VET research at BIBB 6 Target groups 7 Knowledge management for VET 8 Departments of the Institute 9 Organigramme 10 Departments of the Institute 12 Units reporting directly to the President 14 Publications 16 Information - Discussion - Practice 18 Directions to BIBB 19 Imprint Published by: Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) 53142 Bonn, Germany Photos : BIBB Designed by : MIC GmbH, Cologne Printed by: druck partner Druck- und Medienhaus, Essen Order code: 09.139 Bonn, September 2013 2
About BIBB The Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) is a centre of excellence for research related to the progressive development of vocational education and training (VET) in Germany. BIBB identifies future challenges in VET, stimulates innovation in national and international VET systems, and develops practice-oriented solutions for both initial and continuing vocational education and training. Maintaining a highly qualified skilled workforce is a constant challenge for companies in a climate of rapid technological, economic and social change. In Germany, the dual system of initial VET (company and part-time vocational school) provides an effective response to this challenge. A dual system qualification also provides the foundation for continuing and advanced VET in the context of lifelong learning. Both initial and continuing vocational education and training are investments in the future. The BIBB was set up in 1970 on the basis of the Vocational Training Act (Berufsbildungsgesetz, BBiG) as a federal government institution for VET policy, research and practice in the field of vocational education and training. Its current legal basis is the Vocational Training Act of March 23, 2005 which sets out the Institute s tasks. The BIBB is directly accountable to, and funded by, the Federal Government under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). Since 1999 its headquarters have been in Bonn. 3
Organisational framework BIBB is organised into four departments with 16 sections and a Central Services department. Currently the Institute employs some 600 members of staff. Overall authority for BIBB rests with the Board and the President. The President is the Institute s director and its public representative. The Board provides a crosssection of expertise on all issues relevant to vocational education and training (VET) in Germany, and acts as the statutory advisory body for the Federal Government. Delegates representing employers and employees, the Federal States (Länder) and the Federal Government work together on the Board, each group (or bench ) with equal voting rights. One representative each from the Federal Employment Agency, the German local authorities associations and the BIBB Research Council may also assist in the Board s decision-making in an advisory capacity. The Board s tasks include adopting the annual research programme and the Institute s budget, making recommendations on the promotion and development of VET, and commenting on the draft of the Federal Government s Annual Report on Vocational Education and Training (Section 92 BBiG). The Research Council, composed of external (national and international) VET researchers, advises the BIBB by means of opinions and recommendations concerning the research programme, the Institute s cooperation with higher education institutions and other research institutions, and the annual reports on the results of research by the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (Section 94 BBiG). 4
DUAL SYSTEM Initial vocational training shared between company and school Federal government Länder and local governments Training company Workplace-based acquisition of skills and applied knowledge Vocational school Teaching of occupation-specific and general subjects Tasks BIBB s staff members analyse structural developments in the training-place market and in continuing education and training, observe and study initial and continuing training practice in companies, test new methods in the field of initial and continuing vocational education and training, carry out early identification of future skills requirements, develop and update initial and continuing training occupations, support in-company vocational training practice with modern training materials, develop concepts for the training of in-company trainers, support modern vocational education and training centres which supplement initial and continuing VET provided in companies, assess the quality of VET distance learning programmes, manage and supervise national and international programmes designed to continuously develop vocational education and training, conduct international comparative research on vocational education and training. 5
VET research at BIBB The objectives and framework for the Institute s research are set out in the Vocational Training Act (BBiG). According to Section 84 of the Act, the aim of vocational training research at the BIBB is to clarify the fundamentals of vocational training, track domestic, European and international developments in vocational training, develop standards for the subject matter and objectives of vocational training, pave the way for further developments in the field of vocational training to meet changing economic, societal and technical requirements, further the development of instruments and procedures for the provision of vocational training and promote the transfer of knowledge and technology. The statutory framework is therefore very broad in scope. Activities are planned more specifically in a medium-term and an annual research programme. Research currently focuses on five priority areas: Training market and employment system, Modernisation and quality assurance in vocational education and training, Lifelong learning, permeability and equivalence of educational pathways, Vocational education and training for specific target groups, Internationalisation of vocational education and training. 6
Target groups The Institute s research and findings are intended primarily for the following target groups: VET planning Federal government and Länder ministries and other authorities, bodies and committees involved in VET planning, Employers and employees organisations, Chambers (of industry and commerce, crafts, agriculture etc), Trade associations. VET practice Competent bodies for initial and continuing vocational education and training and their vocational training committees, staff responsible for initial and continuing vocational education and training in companies, training and continuing education establishments and vocational schools, Members of examination boards, human resources managers, works councils and staff councils in companies, training and continuing education establishments and administrations. VET research community Researchers at universities and universities of applied sciences (particularly in the disciplines of vocational and industry education, sociology and economics, as well as in labour market research) Researchers in non-university research institutes. 7
Knowledge management for VET BIBB makes its research and the results of its work available to the VET community continuously and comprehensively. Furthermore, the Institute supports the transparent sharing of VET expertise with a powerful knowledge management system. A selection of BIBB s specialist portals Internet The BIBB website the largest for VET in Germany gives convenient access to over 140,000 internet pages and documents and more than 40 specialist portals hosted by BIBB. The full range of themes dealt with by the Institute is shown in a Knowledge Map, which links directly to information, interim findings and outcomes of both projects and long-term tasks. www.bibb.de www.bibb.de/aweb Information system for initial and advanced training profiles www.foraus.de Forum for training staff (German) www.good-practice. bibb.de Good Practice Center: VET fostering persons with special needs (German) www.eldoc.info E-learning resources (German) www.bibb.de/portale Complete overview of BIBB s specialist portals 8
Departments of the Institute Department 1 Internationalisation of Vocational Education and Training/Knowledge Management This department combines cross-departmental aspects of planning and coordination with its core responsibilities for communication and public relations and for BIBB s international activities in the field of vocational education and training. The department contributes to enhancing BIBB s international presence and extending its efforts in international VET through worldwide partnerships and network. It is also consulted on international comparative research and European VET policy matters. It responds to the rapidly growing demand from other countries for advisory services concerning the development and the organisation of VET. The department also incorporates the Coordination Office edvance an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). edvance aims to promote the quality of German vocational education and training worldwide. (www.edvance-net.de). 9
Organisation chart Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training Robert-Schuman-Platz 3 D-53175 Bonn Fon: +49 228 107-0 Fax: +49 228 107-2977 zentrale@bibb.de www.bibb.de Presi Equal Opportunities Officer Office of the Board Office of the Disabled Persons Committee Office of the Research Council Deputy Head of --------------------------- Office of the Instit Staff Council/Youth and Trainees Representation Disabled Staff Representative Department 1 Internationalisation of Vocational Education and Training/ Knowledge Management Department 2 Sociology and Economics of Vocational Education and Training ------------------------------------- Research Data Centre Education for Europe National Agency Team Grundtvig Team Leonardo da Vinci Transfer of Innovation Projects Team Leonardo da Vinci Mobility, Partnerships, Transparency of Qualifications Team Public Relations and Information Team Finance and IT JOBSTARTER A funding programme for more training places Section 1.1 Basic Issues of Internationalisation/ Monitoring of Vocational Education and Training Systems Section 1.2 International Cooperation and Advisory Services/ Central Office for International Cooperation in VET Section 1.3 Internet, Coordination of Enquiries and Internal Knowledge Management Section 1.4 Publication Management/ Library Section 2.1 Vocational Training Supply and Demand/ Training Participation Section 2.2 Qualifications, Occupational Integration and Employment Section 2.3 Costs, Benefits, Financing Section 1.5 Section 2.4 imove International Marketing of Vocational Education Skills and Competences Development 10
dent President the Research -------------------------- ute Management Strategic Communication, Press and Public Relations Office of Research Coordination Human Resource Development IT-Security officer Auditing Office Department 3 Vocational Teaching and Learning, National Programmes and Pilot Schemes Department 4 Regulation of Vocational Education and Training Department Z Central Services Section 3.1 Transition into VET and into Work, Vocational Training Orientation ------------------------------------- Vocational Training Orientation Programm Section 3.2 VET Personnel, Digital Media, Distance Learning Section 3.3 Quality, Sustainability, Permeability Section 4.1 Structural Issues Related to Regulatory Work, Examination Systems and Implementation Concepts Section 4.2 Commercial/ Business Service Occupations and Occupations in the Media Industry Section 4.3 Industrial, Technical and Scientific Occupations Z 1 Human Resources Z 2 Budget/Controlling Z 3 Legal Affairs/ Organization/ Quality Development Z 4 Internal Administration Section 3.4 Section 4.4 Z 5 Inter-company Vocational Training Centres/ Regional Development of VET Structures Company and Individual Customer related Service Occupations/ Disabled Persons Committee Information Technology As of: 12. September 2013 11
Departments of the Institute Department 2 Sociology and Economics of Vocational Education and Training This department s focus is on research and advisory work in the VET system and in the employment system. Trends in VET are analysed and monitored on the basis of primary and secondary statistical data, and future trends are identified. The department assists the Federal Statistics Office with the compilation of vocational education and training statistics, and reports the annual total of newly concluded training contracts. In particular, it analyses trends in VET supply and demand, industry-wide training needs, the needs of individuals and their integration into the employment system, the costs and benefits of VET, and competence development. 12
Department 3 Department 4 Vocational Teaching and Learning, National Programmes and Pilot Schemes The core task of the department is improvement of structures, processes and approaches for vocational teaching and learning. Relevant models are developed in research projects and pilot programmes. Transfer into VET practice is the overall aim, but equally, insights and problems from practice may be taken up in new research. The various research approaches are designed with a view to practical implementation and subsequent evaluation. Regulation of Vocational Education and Training This department develops new training profiles (qualification standards, framework curricula and examination requirements) and continuing vocational training regulations, and updates the regulations for existing profiles. Its work is informed by the findings from research on qualifications trends, and is carried out in close cooperation with the social partners. The department drafts explanatory notes to the initial and continuing training regulations to assist their implementation in practice, and evaluates vocational training courses and examination procedures. Central Services The Central Services department is responsible for crossdepartmental administration at BIBB. 13
Units reporting directly to the President Three units with special tasks commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) are located at BIBB: Education for Europe National Agency The NA at BIBB was set up in the year 2000. Under the European Union Lifelong Learning Programme, it oversees the implementation of the LEONARDO DA VINCI programme for vocational education and training and the GRUNDTVIG programme for adult education in Germany. Since 2007, the NA has also been the National Europass Centre (NEC), and beyond this it performs other special tasks related to European education and training policy. The NA works closely with the BMBF, the Länder and the social partners. At international level it cooperates with the European Commission and the National Agencies in the 30 European countries involved in the programmes. Fon: 0049 228 107 1608 na@bibb.de www.na-bibb.de Its objectives are to provide high-quality information and advice and competent project support, and to establish networks between European and national projects and initiatives. 14
JOBSTARTER JOBSTARTER Training forthe future is the structural programme for initial vocational training set up by the BMBF. JOBSTARTER promotes regional projects which support companies with a range of services in order to motivate them to offer training places, and to build and safeguard training capacity for the future. Beyond this, the programme contributes to the long-term improvement of training structures, through better integration of schoolbased and in-company initial vocational training. Fon: 0049 228 107 2909 info@jobstarter.de www.jobstarter.de 15
Publications Basic information in German and English: Vocational Training Regulations and the Process Behind Them Modernising Vocational Education and Training BIBB International Available for download from www.bibb.de/prints or to order from Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) 53142 Bonn, Germany vertrieb@bibb.de 16
BIBB REPORT provides up-to-date information on BIBB s research and the results of its work. Each issue provides brief analyses and background information on current topics of debate for VET policy or VET research. A full-text version of each BIBB REPORT is available for free download on the BIBB website at www.bibb.de/bibbreport (in German and English). You can sign up for a newsletter in English at www.bibb.de/newsletter-en. Here you can also find information about all newsletters offered through the BIBB homepage. 17
Information - Discussion - Practice The BIBB journal: Vocational education and training - new challenges (BWP) Special Edition 2013 in English: The articles assembled in this issue focus on new challenges in vocational education and training and cover recent topics like New focus of learning in the digital age and Recognition of foreign professional qualifications. Further information can be found at our website under www.bwp-journal.de The BWP website offers: all issues including special issues and supplements published since 2000 the search function allows to explore the whole data stock (about 1.200 data sets) first-hand information on the latest developments and interesting facts 18
Directions to BIBB (travel time: approx. 30 minutes), then follow the directions as above. By train From Bonn central station take subway (U-Bahn) line 66 or 68 (direction: Ramersdorf/Königswinter/ Bad Honnef) to RobertSchuman-Platz (travel time: approx. 10 minutes). From Siegburg/Bonn ICE station take subway (U-Bahn) line 66 (direction: Bad Honnef) to Robert-Schuman-Platz (travel time: approx. 40 minutes). From the airport take bus line SB 60 to Bonn central station (Hauptbahnhof) A visitors parking area is clearly signposted. Please be advised that parking spaces are limited. For this reason, travel by public transport is recommended. BONN-RHEINAUE GRONAU RHEINAUE U BIBB Deutsche Telekom/ Olof-Palme-Allee Lu U dw RobertSchumanPlatz Hotel Maritim ine He str. nn ma ine He Go de n ma ns ig -E tr. rh ar d- Al le e Gustav-Stresemann-Institut (GSI) BMBF sb r. er t r-s ne er ax M ng ra b -Lö La ge Gr lle ab e en Max-Löbner-Str. eg U w o_eng_12_06.indd 19 By car Directions can be found online at www.bibb.de/en/1496.htm 19 25.09.2013 10:03:48
Contact Street address Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training Robert-Schuman-Platz 3 53175 Bonn Germany Postal address Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung 53142 Bonn, Germany Fon: +49 228 107-0 Fax: +49 228 107-2977 www.bibb.de E-mail addresses zentrale@bibb.de vertrieb@bibb.de