“Training strengthens the sense of loyalty to a company”
Silvia Annen explains why the German model of dual vocational training is gaining traction in the US and Canada, even if it still faces some scepticism.
Interview: Josefine Janert,
13.05.2025 
Professor Silvia Annen, German companies introduced the dual vocational training model to North America back in the 1970s. What advantages does it offer businesses?
Those who complete a dual vocational training programme acquire a standardised set of knowledge and practical skills. This is something companies can rely on. Vocational training in Germany is uniformly regulated. In other words, training regulations apply across the entire country. This is the result of cooperation between numerous institutions and businesses. Canada has the Red Seal programme, which covers 56 recognised professions – from chef to industrial mechanic. The programme delivers consistent qualifications and is recognised nationwide. But for other occupations, each Canadian province has its own standards. The same applies in the United States: the requirements for becoming a bricklayer in New York may differ from those in Texas, for instance.
How well known is the dual vocational training model in North America today?
As a researcher, I am in frequent dialogue with colleagues working in the field of education, and I’ve found that many of them are familiar with the German dual system and much appreciate it. The situation is different among businesses, however – partly because many school-leavers in the US and Canada go on to university. Some people are sceptical about dual vocational training in North America. When a major Canadian retail chain took over a German one a few years ago, people asked: why do shop assistants need two or even three years of training? The prevailing view was that the necessary skills could be picked up within a few months of on-the-job training. That said, some companies have come to appreciate the thorough qualifications provided by the dual vocational training system – especially in the technical and industrial sectors, where work processes are often complex. In many of these jobs – such as electrical engineering or environmental technology – a brief induction just isn’t enough.
But aren’t roles of this type ideally suited to university graduates?
In some cases, yes. But many universities in North America offer broad academic programmes that are often quite theoretical and not very practice-oriented. Much of what graduates learn is of little relevance to their later careers. Another drawback – particularly in the US – is the cost: many students leave university with large debts. In Germany, trainees receive a guaranteed wage throughout their training, as laid out in the Vocational Training Act, so there is no need to negotiate this individually with their employer.
The dual vocational training system also gives young people the chance to get to know a company’s culture at an early stage.
In 2019 you had the opportunity to speak before the US Congress about Germany’s dual vocational training system.
One question discussed in detail was: how do companies actually benefit from training young people? My answer: university students often spend several years studying before they even enter the world of work. Once they join a company, they usually go through trainee or onboarding programmes before they become productive. By contrast, trainees join companies at a younger age and contribute from at early stage – not just at the end of their training, but while they’re still learning. They take part in projects, they get to know how the company works, and they develop a sense of loyalty to their employer. This is why a lot of companies in Germany are so keen to offer dual vocational training positions.
A lot is currently changing in the US under President Trump. In your view, what role will dual vocational training play there in the coming years?
On the one hand, I’ve noticed that the Trump administration is tending to shift responsibility for education and training back to the individual states, encouraging companies to decide for themselves what to teach during training. A lot of Republicans are generally sceptical about government regulation. At the same time, the previous Trump government was under great pressure to improve conditions for businesses and tackle the shortage of skilled workers – a problem that is affecting the US, too. As I see it, there is great potential here for a dual vocational training system based on the German model. It provides a structured, standardised system that enables young people to become highly qualified specialists within three years.
Professor Dr Silvia Annen is an expert in international comparisons of different education and training pathways. A Professor of Business Education at the University of Bamberg, she previously worked as a project lead for research and development at the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) in Bonn. She has also served as a visiting scholar at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto.
