Dual education system

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Dual education system" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (February 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

A dual education system combines apprenticeships in a company and vocational education at a vocational school in one course. This system is practiced in several countries, notably Germany, Austria, Switzerland, South Tyrol and in the German-speaking Community of Belgium, but also for some years now in South Korea.^[1][2]

In the Duales Ausbildungssystem, students can learn one of 250 (as of 2022) apprenticeship occupations (Ausbildungsberufe), such as Doctor's Assistant, Dispensing Optician or Oven Builder. The precise skills and theory taught are strictly regulated and defined by national standards: An Industriekaufmann (Industrial Manager) has always acquired the same skills and taken the same courses in production planning, accounting and controlling, marketing, HR management, trade laws, etc.^[3] Especially in southern Germany this model is also used for a special college system called Duale Hochschule.^[4]

In France, dual education (formation en alternance) has gained a lot of popularity since the 1990s, with information technology being the greatest draw.^[5] The Dual Education system in France, also known as the "Alternance" system, is an approach to learning where students alternate between periods of academic studies and work experience. This hybrid model of education and vocational training is designed to give students both practical knowledge and theoretical skills, providing a comprehensive understanding of their chosen field.^[6]

In South Korea, the German and Swiss dual apprenticeship system was studied and implemented by then President Park Geun-hye to address South Korea's more glaring employment needs including tackling the country's high youth unemployment rate and as well as reforming South Korea's entire education system.^[7] Since the rise of Meister schools and modern reforms through the implementation of vocational education in the South Korean education system, graduates from vocational high schools have been successful in navigating through South Korea's highly competitive and sluggish job market as they possess relevant skill sets that are in high demand in the South Korean economy.^[8]