What is Done in Germany Stays in Germany?

Some time ago, I joined a delegation of construction sector leaders on a fact-finding trip to Germany. Our goal was to learn first-hand why the "German model" of apprenticeship works so well. 

It was quite the experience. By week's end we had come to understand a number of key enviable attributes of the German model that distinguish it from the Canadian model. 

1. Start Early

In Germany, children are evaluated at an early age to gauge aptitude for future educational and occupational pathways. 

In Canada, our approach seems to be "university-or-bust". If your child doesn't look like they will make the cut for university, they can select option "B", and take a stab at trades education. In doing this, we stigmatize careers in the trades by making them seem like the lesser path. 

Germans avoid this problematic dichotomy. Their society views a university degree and a vocational trades certificate as equivalent. 

Entering high school, a student with an aptitude for the trades begins a process of "Dual Education", setting the student up for success in their educational and occupational pursuits. 

2. Dual Education 

In Canada, the average age of a person gaining their journeyperson certificate is 28 years old. 

In Germany, it is 18-20.  The German Dual Education system enables students in a vocational school to simultaneously earn a high school diploma, while moving through the apprenticeship process towards certification as a journeyperson in a skilled trade. 

The implications of this approach are significant. Living costs for high school students are lower than later, when they have moved out on their own. This reduces the financial strain experienced for post-secondary students having to make ends meet, while rotating between school and the job site. Having selected a trade pathway and having secured a trades certification, the late-teen German can begin earning and increasing mastery in their skilled profession, while still often living at home. The youth can also choose to enroll in university with a trades ticket in their pocket. Many German engineers began their education with securing a trades certification, making German engineers competent not just in the book knowledge aspect of engineering, but with hands-on experience. 

3. Parity of Esteem

A fascinating attribute of the German model is the cultural value placed on skilled trades. As noted earlier, a university degree is viewed as equivalent to a journeyperson certificate. The profession of plumber or mechanic or carpenter is viewed as having as much esteem as the profession of lawyer or doctor or engineer. 

This "parity of esteem" is a game-changer for Germany. 

Parents of students whose child is evaluated as destined for vocational training do not view this as a negative. Teachers and guidance counselors promote rather than suppress trades pathways. High school students working on both their diploma and trade certification are rightly proud of their Dual Education. Journeypersons are celebrated for their achievement. 

 Going back to medieval times, craftsmen in Germany having completed their apprenticeship undertake a time of "wandering". The "Wanderjahre" is an ancient custom where, attired in the uniform typical to their trade, craftsmen travel the country and are provided with opportunities to demonstrate their skills and work in their trade. This fascinating custom facilitates a meaningful connection between the worker and the community, which tangibly experiences and benefits from the learned skills of the craftsman. 

Lessons for Canada

Parity of esteem has now become something of a catch phrase in Canada, drawing upon many cohorts of fact-finding forays such as described in this blog. We know that we have work to do to destigmatize careers in the trades. It is better today than 10-20 years ago. But more work needs to be done. 

• Parents should welcome not fear early indications of their child's aptitudes. 
• Teachers and guidance counselors should advocate for trades certificates as much as they do university degrees. 
• We should bring back vocational schools and collegiates. 
• We should explore and deepen the connections and crossovers between trades training and university education. 
• Those who are learning and have perfected a craft should publicly and warmly celebrated. 

Canadian provinces have much to be proud about with our provincial skills training and apprenticeship system. But what works so well in Germany shouldn't stay in Germany. There are important lessons and takeaways we can learn and benefit from, to make our apprentice education even better.