Abstract # 7

Blossfeld, Hans-Peter. Globalization and changes in vocational training systems in developing and advanced industrialized societies (together with Reinhard Stockmann). Vol. I-III, Armonk, NY/London: Sharpe (1998-99).

The purpose of the three volumes of the International Journal of Sociology on Globalization and Changes in Vocational Training Systems in Developing and Advanced Industrialized Societies, edited by Hans-Peter Blossfeld and Reinhard Stockmann (1998-99), has been twofold: (1) to compare the German dual system with other important systems of vocational training (and their changes) in selected countries of Western Europe and in the United States and to specify the advantages and disadvantages of the German dual system in the process of globalization; and (2), to describe, on the basis of selected countries, the kinds of development problems with which many third world countries must struggle with regard to the educational and vocational training sector. The emphasis here was on the success of the attempts in these countries to implement and adopt the German dual system of vocational training. The countries included were Germany, England and Wales, France, the United States of America, Poland, China, Thailand, Egypt, and Chile. The volumes show that the German dual system has considerable strengths in dealing with the rapid changes in modern labor markets. There is, nevertheless, considerable room for improvement. In particular, the German dual system must (1) better coordinate theoretical school-based learning with practical work-place training; (2) reduce the number of different training occupations and their mutually exclusive character; (3) be changed in such a way that older employees also have a fair chance to acquire vocational training certificates later on in the work life; and (4) after educational expansion, be reintegrated again into the changed environment of the general school system.