Higher Education and Employment: The Changing Relationship. Recent Developments in Continuing Professional Education. Country Study: Germany.

Overview & Synopsis

This report, one of a series of country studies on higher education and employment particularly in continuing professional education, looks at recent developments in Germany. The first of six chapters offers a series of definitions of central concepts and focuses the paper's discussion on continuing education offered by higher education institutions and on their own responsibility. Chapter II looks at the development and importance of continuing education describing the traditional role of continuing education, the current state of these services as demand and employment has changed, and comparison with other industrialized nations. Chapter III describes in detail the continuing education offered by higher education institutions from types of programs, teaching techniques, and integration into the structure of universities to career-orientation and further education provided by connected institutions. Chapter IV briefly describes non-university programs. Chapter V discusses the challenges and problems facing continuing professional education including admission and qualification of participants, certification and record keeping, finance, teaching staff and teaching methods, and competition and collaboration with other providers. Chapter VI concludes by evaluating the current status of university services and suggesting future directions. Includes 58 references and a 25-item bibliography. (JB)