Pro & Kontra: Dispute over Karliczek's "Bachelor Professional"

Federal Education Minister Anja Karliczek had the idea, now it is about the implementation: In the future there should be new designations for completed vocational training, the "Bachelor Professional" and the "Master Professional". The titles should largely replace the "journeyman" and the "master", although the old terms can still be used.

The Bundestag has already approved the plan, and the law is due to enter into force in early 2020. For business representatives, this causes a jubilation: they feel that they have upgraded their vocational training and welcome the plans. For university representatives, however, the efforts of the Minister of Education are a breach of the dam, which dilutes the proven degrees and makes them confused.

Before the new designations come, the Federal Council still has to agree - and this has only once put itself on the cross: On Monday recommended the expert committee of the Chamber of Land, first reject the bill and call the Conciliation Committee. Baden-Wuerttemberg had applied for this decision, final vote will be taken at the Federal Council on 29 November.

In the following, we document the positions of Eric Schweitzer, President of the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), and Peter-André Alt, President of the German Rectors' Conference (HRK).

Per

Eric Schweitzer

DPA

Born in 1965, since 2013 President of the German Association of Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK). Together with his brother Axel he manages the disposal and recycling company Alba Group.

"Vocational qualifications are just as valuable"

The current DIHK business survey once again shows that a shortage of skilled workers is the biggest business risk faced by companies. Graduates of higher vocational education and training - such as industrial masters, specialists or business economists - are often sought in vain by the companies. The income and employment prospects of these highly qualified professionals are in no way inferior to those of academics, and in some cases even better. Unfortunately, in practice this is still too little known. One consequence of this is sometimes serious bottlenecks in the companies.

The planned new degrees "Bachelor Professional" and "Master Professional" are the right way to express linguistically the practicality and special abilities of VET graduates. The new terms make it clear that vocational education and training qualifications are equivalent to those of higher education institutions and thus worth just as much. Although this equivalence is already documented in the German Qualifications Framework (DQR), it has not yet gained widespread public acceptance. The designations "Bachelor Professional" and "Master Professional" help. They stand as brand names for the high value of a whole range of vocational training qualifications. At the same time, they clearly distinguish themselves from the university grades with the addition of "Professional", so there is no likelihood of confusion.

The introduction is also an important contribution to the internationalization of VET and supports the mobility of professionals. Especially for companies in non-German-speaking countries, the new terms are an important aid to properly classify vocational training qualifications. In many federal states, the use of the terms "Bachelor Professional" and "Master Professional" in the IHK certificate translations has been common practice for many years. At the same time, the terms will make it easier for companies to look for professionals, as hopefully more people will choose to earn this important degree.

The introduction of "Bachelor Professional" and "Master Professional" is a courageous step in the policy and is quite controversial. The Bundestag, which has already adopted the new terms, has met some concerns: So the recent degrees are to be able to remain in addition to the new generic terms. It is enough if this is so jointly determined among the partners from industry, trade unions and ministries. Hopefully, the compromise will be approved by the Federal Council. Then the way is free to make the equivalence of vocational and academic education, which is repeatedly evoked in Sunday speeches, finally perceptible in everyday life. The skilled worker security of the economy will benefit.

Contraindications

Peter-André Alt

David Ausserhofer

Born in 1960, has been president of the German Rectors' Conference (HRK) since 2018. The literary scholar was previously since 2010 President of the Free University of Berlin.

"Semblance of scientificity"

The German vocational training system is excellent and offers graduates the best career opportunities. To emphasize its quality and attractiveness is therefore completely correct. But the use of the final titles "Bachelor Professional" and "Master Professional" to underline the equivalency of academic and professional education is not effective.

Degree qualifications in education must be transparent and clear. The amendment, however, wants to prove very different educational paths with almost identical terms. This creates lack of transparency, because the clear assignment of a title to science or vocational training is essential for both areas. The change in the designation of the advanced training levels in "Bachelor Professional" or "Master Professional" is neither necessary nor helpful and in no way leads to an upgrading of the vocational training compared to university degrees. Rather, an opposite effect is to be expected: The reference to the higher education sector in the title designation does not take into account the practical relevance of training, weakens established brands such as master or specialist and suggests students interested in change, the vocational education is a kind of "catch basin" or "replacement measure".

Uncertainty would also be preprogrammed in the vocational orientation of young people, because the new degree titles hide the practical relevance of vocational education and the development of professional ability to act behind the appearance of scientificity. Constant misunderstandings are also threatening in the European context: Bachelor's and Master's degrees are awarded exclusively by higher education institutions throughout Europe and are therefore clearly recognized abroad as university degrees. The introduction of these diplomas also violates the distribution of competencies in the federal system of the Federal Republic, because the terms Bachelor and Master are university titles that fall under the competence of the federal states.

Above all, however, the proposed bill jeopardizes the already achieved goals of the Bologna Process and thus one of the most important European reform projects of the past decades, jointly supported by the federal, state and higher education institutions.

The HRK, which represents 268 universities from all federal states, has repeatedly strongly opposed these designations, and in this rejection we are in agreement with numerous professional associations, such as the German Farmers' Association, Gesamtmetall or the Bundessteuerberaterkammer. Instead, we call for professional terminology to use its own terminology that reflects the tradition and autonomy of this important area of ​​education. Otherwise, the German higher education system as well as the vocational education, which is so important for Germany, will be seriously harmed in the long term.