Vocational Training

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The German-Israeli Programme for Cooperation in Vocational Education and Training is a cooperation between the Israeli Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MOLSA) and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) which has been ongoing since 1969. In 2011, an intergovernmental agreement was concluded on bilateral cooperation in the field of vocational education and training. Since 2020, the German side of the programme has been implemented by the German Office for International Cooperation in Vocational Training and Education (GOVET) on behalf of the BMBF.

The German-Israeli Programme for Cooperation in Vocational Education and Training, launched in 1969, is funded by the BMBF and the MOLSA. So far, more than 2,300 people have participated in this programme. In 2011, the BMBF concluded an intergovernmental agreement with the Israeli Ministry of Economy and Industry (MOEI), which also covers bilateral cooperation in the field of vocational education and training (VET).

‘Even though the circumstances and framework conditions of vocational education and training are different in the two countries, they can inspire and learn from each other. The cooperation in the German-Israeli programme provides this opportunity. Technical, economic and social developments pose similar challenges for vocational education and training in Israel and Germany: Shortage of skilled workers, permeability between higher education and vocational education and training, inclusion, and increasing the attractiveness of vocational education and training.’
(Source: GOVET, translated from German)

The core objectives of the cooperation are to develop VET systems, training programmes and teaching materials. The National Agency Education for Europe at the German Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (NA at BIBB) was tasked with implementing the Israel programme in 2013. Since 2020, the programme has been managed by GOVET. On the Israeli side, the implementing partner switched from the Manpower Training and Development Bureau (MTDB) to the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs in 2017.

The first cooperation project took place in 1999. Cooperation formats so far have included study tours for TVET experts and the cooperation in scientific project teams, e.g. on solar energy and curriculum development / modularisation at vocational training institutions. Since 2012, the German-Israeli Programme in Vocational Education and Training has offered exchange programmes for trainees from Germany and Israel.

On 1 December 2022, around 100 stakeholders from German VET institutions gathered at the first symposium on ‘Austausch in der Berufsbildung mit Israel’ in Berlin. A German-Israeli forum in the Israel programme is planned for 2023.

Further examples of cooperation as well as supplementary information is available in the programme’s Infothek.

The film ‘Austausch von Auszubildenden zwischen Deutschland und Israel’ accompanies German apprentices in the food sector and Israeli apprentices in the building trade during a vocational training stay in the respective partner country.

Video: Austausch von Auszubildenden zwischen Deutschland und Israel (in German)

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Source: YouTube channel of the National Agency Education for Europe (NA at BIBB)