Pre-Employment Skill Formation in Australia and Germany

Abstract

This chapter seeks to provide a critical analysis of the role that vocational education and training (VET) plays in preparing young people for the labour market in two contrasting systems - Australia and Germany. In Germany, VET occurs mainly in separate secondary schools, within the structure of the 'dual system'. In Australia, it occurs within a scheme of mainly comprehensive high schools, with vocational studies located in the curriculum structures of the senior secondary certificates offered in each state. In Australia, it also occurs, to an extent, in the adult sector VET institutions, and some specialist upper secondary providers, such as trade training centers, which focus on vocation..