Stays abroad are still the exception in vocational training. Yet experience abroad is of particular importance here: trainees not only improve their foreign language skills, but also bring new ideas, working methods and techniques back to their home company. In addition, the internship abroad is a good argument in the race for suitable young talent, with which training companies can advertise themselves.
However, exchange programmes for students at vocational schools are also particularly difficult to organize because the vocational training systems in most other European countries differ fundamentally from the German dual system: In Germany, the training company plays the central role, while the vocational school is not only subordinate in terms of time, but also legally. In most other European countries, on the other hand, the entry-level vocational qualification is organized on a full-time school basis. Practical instruction is only provided in the form of shorter internships.
Even if many young people are very interested in a stay abroad, the hurdle of organizing this individually and for themselves is still very high. This is why vocational schools play a particularly important role in enabling young people to gain experience abroad at the start of their careers.