The drop-out rate in vocational training in Europe has remained at a consistently high level for years (Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft 2008; Jäger 2009; OECD 2004; BMBF 2009). The effectiveness of school and company-based measures to reduce drop-outs and the interventions of vocational guidance and case management specialists has not yet been consistently proven. The main reason for this is the lack of networking between the actors involved and the lack of instruments and methods for identifying and advising young people at risk of dropping out of apprenticeships (Ertelt 2005).
Contents and objectives of the project:

• Development of a vocational education and training framework concept for a didactic methodological approach for the early identification and counseling of at-risk groups in vocational training (dual or full-time school-based) that is capable of achieving consensus at European level and is implemented in all partner countries
• Transfer of an existing tool for identifying trainees at risk of dropping out into 5 languages (DE; EN; FR; IT; PL)
• Development and implementation of a training concept for the qualification of vocational training staff and specialists for counseling and case management in five countries
• Accreditation of the training concept for VET professionals in all project countries
• Field phases at national level to implement the first diagnostic and counseling units on around 2500 trainees/vocational school students
• Scientific evaluation to control and optimize the project objectives throughout the entire project duration as a basis for sound valorization

Dr. Daniela Nicodemus

Birgit Rodler