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Original language: German

In recent years in Europe, forms of work-based learning (WBL) have increasingly attracted public interest. In the aftermath of the European economic crisis, it became apparent that the countries in which work-based learning is a core component of the education system emerged from the crisis relatively unscathed. Against the current backdrop of social change, work-based learning has the potential to provide needs-based training to skilled workers and ensure the employability of everyone.

Work-based learning is a key driving force in contemporary education system, which is able to respond flexibly to contemporary challenges in society. For this reason, EPALE Germany and Hungary are jointly organising the Work-based Learning Week "Work-based learning - driving force for lifelong learning?".

From 24 to 28 February, as part of the focus week, we will publish one article each day from both Hungary and Germany which will provide insight into work-based learning in the context of European and international collaboration in education and training.

What does work-based learning mean?

The basic focus of work-based learning is on the acquisition of knowledge, skills and competencies which are gained while performing or reflecting upon professional tasks, either in the workplace (for example in dual vocational training) or in a vocational education and training (VET) institution. WBL features in various educational contexts: in adult learning, in VET, and also in school-based initial and continuing education and training and in higher education. WBL can thus be part of initial education and training in all education sectors or a component in continuing education and training.

The aims of European educational policy

In recent years, as part of the fight against high youth unemployment, VET has become far more visible and important in terms of European educational policy. At an EU summit in 2013, key measures for tackling youth unemployment were approved in the form of the Youth Guarantee and the Youth Employment Initiative. However, in recent years the following question has also become more prominent in adult learning: how is education helping to ensure workers’ employability? Or to put it differently: what is the world of work doing to promote learning?

The question concerns both working conditions that promote learning and awareness of the potential for work-based learning. Let us take an example from the area of vocational education and training, where WBL is a long-standing tradition.

With respect to the long-term strengthening of work-based learning, international comparative studies in VET show that young people who have completed dual education and training or whose training has included a significant dual element are much less at risk of unemployment than young people with a general education or purely school-based training. Due to the high occupational relevance of the competencies acquired and put to use, this form of learning can react to specific needs and thus prepare employees for changes in their future areas of work brought about by changes in society. The following important EU strategies exist in the area of vocational education and training:

• the Youth Guarantee
• the Youth Employment Initiative
• the European Alliance for Apprenticeships and
• the New Skills Agenda for Europe

The aims of educational policy in Germany

The German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF) supports strategies and measures for implementing the Alliance for Apprenticeships and seeks cooperation and consultation with the five-country group which emphasises dual education and training (Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Denmark and Germany). Developing excellent vocational education and training is also the guiding principle of the bilateral Berlin Memorandum from December 2012 with Spain, Greece, Portugal, Italy, Slovakia and Latvia.

The German Office for International Cooperation in Vocational Education and Training (GOVET) at BIBB is the main point of contact for VET cooperation and is responsible for implementing the cooperation and advisory policies of bilateral working groups and VET cooperation-based projects.

Work-based learning has long been a top priority in VET. With this Work-based Learning Week we would like to show that WBL is also practised, promoted and considered in European adult learning – and will become even more important in the future.

Picture: ScanStock / Konstantin Kolosov

Look forward to the following articles in our Work-based learning focus:

Further reading on work-based learning                                                                  

• Cedefop, Apprenticeship schemes in European countries: A cross-nation overview, Luxembourg, 2018
• OECD, Sieben Fragen zur betrieblichen Ausbildung Erkenntnisse aus internationalen Erfahrungen, Paris, 2019 [DE]
• The European Framework for quality and effective apprenticeships
• Work-based learning: High-performance apprenticeships & work-based learning: 20 guiding principles
• Work-based Learning Handbook