topic Education

Bilateral exchange programmes in vocational training

The internationalization of industry and the working world is increasingly calling for qualified personnel with foreign language skills, intercultural competence and knowledge of other economic regions and different business practices. It is never too early to start acquiring these competences, which is why the Federal Ministry of Education and Research has supported bilateral exchange programmes for vocational trainees with the Netherlands, Norway and Great Britain since the mid-1990s. The Franco-German exchange programme in vocational training has been organized for 30 years.

For participating vocational trainees from Germany and their trainers these exchange programmes are an opportunity to become acquainted with other educational and training systems and to gain practical work experience abroad. By building international cooperation structures and through the collaboration of relevant regional players in vocational training, a stay abroad during initial training is set to become an integral part of the in-house training strategy of the companies and institutions involved.

As a result of the great involvement of industry, the exchange projects for trainees have a high degree of practical orientation, and a high level of specialist competence is gained by participants. The fundamental principle of mutuality of the bilateral exchange programmes is a key element to assuring their high quality, and they in turn lead to a greater willingness of participants to be mobile later on in their career.

Further information on and links to bilateral exchange programmes:

Franco-German exchange programme

On 5 February 1980, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany and the French Republic signed an Agreement on Exchanges of Young People and Adults in Initial and Continuing Vocational Training aiming at

• facilitating hands-on experience of everyday working life and the sociocultural environment
• overcoming the language barrier through joint labour
• promoting the mobility of young people and adults.

The Franco-German exchange programme in initial and continuing vocational training is operated by the Franco-German Secretariat for Exchanges in Vocational Education and Training in Saarbrücken. It supports the goal of the Franco-German Agenda to facilitate 5,000 participants from Germany and France gaining professional experience in the partner country every year.

Franco-German exchange programme in initial and continuing vocational training

BAND: bilateral exchange programme with the Netherlands

The bilateral exchange programme with the Netherlands (BAND) has the longest tradition of all the exchange programmes operated by GIZ. It has been run since 1995. The partner organization in the Netherlands is the "Centrum van innovatie voor opleidingen" (CINOP). The programme's distinguishing characteristics are model projects during which a real product (e.g. qualification module) is developed and conferences at which trainees in the exchange programme can meet and interact. Some 190 trainees in Germany benefit from BAND every year. Since 1995 nearly 2,000 participants have gained learning experience in the Netherlands.
BAND: bilateral exchange of apprentices and trainers with the Netherlands

GJØR DET: bilateral Norwegian-German exchange programme

The German-Norwegian Exchange programme GJØR DET was set up in 2003. As a key trade partner in the German economy, Norway holds great interest for many companies as a partner country. The partner organization in Norway is the Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Higher Education (SIU). Some 210 trainees in Germany benefit from the programme every year. Since its inception nearly 1,000 participants have gained learning experience in Norway.
GJØR DET: bilateral Norwegian-German exchange programme 

Training Bridge

German-British project partnerships were funded under this programme for 15 years. It provided a great many vocational trainees with the chance to gain work-related insights into British businesses. As of 2012, funding will unfortunately no longer be available for German-British exchange projects.

For more information on the bilateral exchange programmes for vocational trainees: www.inwent.org/portal/ins_ausland/europa/index.php.de

German-Israeli exchange of experts in vocational education and training

For more than 40 years the German-Israeli programme of cooperation in vocational education and training has served as a platform for the transfer of know-how and for the continuing education of experts and executives from Germany and Israel on current VET policy topics. The creation of sustainable national and bilateral networks is as much a focal point of the programme as are innovation in vocational education and training systems and the enhancement of intercultural competence among its participants. As part of the German-Israeli cooperation the BMBF funds study tours and conferences as well as seminars and projects. Further information on the Israel programme can be found at: www.giz.de/israel

Continuing Education with a European Dimension

The European Centre for Heritage Crafts and Professions in Thiene provides theoretical and practical continuing education in four languages - German, English, French and Italian - and promotes a dialogue on concepts and challenges in the European protection of cultural heritage. Since 1985, the BMBF has been awarding annual grants to journeymen and master craftsmen such as painters, stonemasons, joiners, stuccoists and metalworkers for a three-month continuing training course.

Further information on grant programmes in the field of protection of cultural heritage is available under: www.villafabris.eu/villafabris_deu/home.php

IBS - International Mobility Service Point

Information and counselling on international mobility: Preparation and information are important factors for successful international mobility phases. The Informations- und Beratungsstelle für Praxiserfahrung im Ausland (IBS) has been the central German service point since 1987 for all questions regarding vocational qualification abroad. On behalf of the BMBF, the IBS provides an overview of the large number of grant programmes and funding measures which support mobility for learning purposes. It helps to identify the most suitable qualification programme, and it provides advice on funding options and on how to prepare for a stay in the host country. Its many informational and educational events advise the public about the broad range of continuing education opportunities throughout the world. As interface between different institutions, the IBS provides a number of services to strengthen and publicize in industry and society the opportunities for initial and continuing vocational training abroad.

Information about specific exchange programmes and publications on the topic of gaining qualifications abroad are available on the IBS website: www.giz.de/ibs