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Meister, Fachwirte & Co: Beruflich Qualifizierte haben fast ihr ganzes Erwerbsleben lang finanziell die Nase vorn
Der "Studier-Reflex"
Schulabschluss in der Tasche und dann? Erstmal studieren! So lautet die Antwort vieler junger Menschen, die vor der Wahl zwischen Studium und Ausbildung stehen. Dass der Trend immer stärker hin zum Studium geht, spiegelt der Arbeitsmarkt deutlich wider: Knapp jeder vierte Erwerbstätige (24 Prozent) hat heute an einer Universität, Fachhochschule oder Berufsakademie studiert. Gleichzeitig, so zeigen aktuelle Projektionen, wird die Fachkräftelücke im Bereich der beruflich Qualifizierten auch in der aktuellen Dekade weiter bestehen bleiben. Viele Bereiche der Wirtschaft werden so bei der Personalgewinnung vor unverändert großen Herausforderungen stehen.
Ein möglicher Grund für das anhaltende Streben nach höheren Bildungsabschlüssen ist die weit verbreitete Annahme, dass Akademikerinnen und Akademiker mehr Geld verdienen als beruflich Qualifizierte. Aber stimmt das wirklich? Nicht unbedingt. Am Ende ihres Erwerbslebens haben Akademiker und Personen mit einer abgeschlossenen Höheren Berufsbildung – also beispielsweise Industriemeister Metall oder Bachelor Professional in Bilanzbuchhaltung – fast gleich viel verdient, nämlich rund 1,7 beziehungsweise 1,6 Millionen Euro brutto. Das belegt eine Studie des Instituts für Angewandte Wirtschaftsforschung an der Universität Tübingen. (IAW, 2022)
Lebenseinkommen unterscheiden sich nicht erheblich
In den Urlaub fahren, ein Auto kaufen, eine Immobilie erwerben oder eine Familie gründen – für Menschen mit abgeschlossener Berufsausbildung und anschließender Weiterbildung finanziell kein Problem.
Während viele Akademiker erst mit Mitte 20 anfangen zu arbeiten und dann oftmals noch ihren Studienkredit abbezahlen müssen, verfügen beruflich Höherqualifizierte, die direkt nach der Schule ins Erwerbsleben eingestiegen sind und nach ihrer Ausbildung noch eine höherqualifizierende Berufsbildung abgeschlossen haben, bereits über einen deutlichen finanziellen Vorsprung. Vielen Hochschulabsolventen gelingt es erst mit etwa 50 Jahren und somit recht spät, diese Lücke zu schließen.
Akademische versus Berufliche Bildung
In the group of academics, there are sometimes significant income differences: While a lawyer receives an average starting salary of around 59,000 euros gross, an architect at the beginning of his working life will only have an average salary of 42,000 euros gross on his pay slip. Graduates of social pedagogy or humanities often have to make even greater cuts in their earnings.
In contrast, the starting salary of skilled workers is often higher than one might think: banking professionals can expect a gross salary of up to €42,000. Similarly, industrial workers are highly sought after: a fully trained chemical technician is even compensated with up to €46,000 gross annually. After completing Higher Vocational Education, such as becoming an industrial foreman or certified accountant, top salaries of up to €80,000 gross annually can be achieved – of course, always dependent on the industry and company size. The classic prejudice that academics always earn more than non-academics is only partially true.
The high earnings of doctors and engineers raise the average salary among academically qualified individuals. Graduates of other academic programs often rank significantly below this. Vocational training – especially combined with a Higher Vocational Education qualification – can therefore be more lucrative than years of studying. This is particularly true when university graduates are forced to start their careers below their qualification levels.
Skilled labour shortages continue to be a challenge for businesses despite the prolonged economic downturn.
Vocational training provides a reliable pathway to employment security.
Finding employment aligned with one's academic qualification? This goal remains unfulfilled for many, especially Bachelor's degree holders, as revealed in the report "Education in Germany 2024," which states that one-sixth (15%) of graduates work in positions not requiring a degree (termed "inadequate employment").
Weitere Vorteile der Höheren Berufsbildung
For the majority of graduates from advanced vocational training courses (80 percent), this training has had positive effects on their career development according to the DIHK Success Study Education 2023 (PDF, 264 KB). This success is most frequently reflected in financial improvements and a higher position in their job with greater responsibility and tasks at hand (60 and 57 percent, respectively).
A study conducted by the German Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) also shows that employees with advanced vocational qualifications often hold project, group, or team leadership roles (59 percent) and have independent budget responsibilities (37 percent). In addition, they often hold supervisory positions (45 percent) and frequently take on comprehensive personnel responsibilities. Accordingly, the perceived benefits of advanced vocational qualifications are rated highly by this group: For example, almost every newly certified master and technician was able to achieve a higher income; and more than two-thirds of them attribute high overall benefits to their advanced vocational qualification for their career development.
The success of continuing education is even more evident in its personal impact. Well over 90 percent, and thus the vast majority of graduates of an advanced vocational education examination, stated in the DIHK Continuing Education Success Survey 2023that continuing education was personally beneficial for them. Broadening perspectives (74 percent), improved understanding (70 percent), and gained confidence (54 percent) rank highest among the benefits. These personal effects mostly occur immediately after the examination. Men, in particular, report that they have significantly developed their soft skills through advanced vocational education.
Even during the transition from education and studies to working life, vocational training clearly has an advantage: According to a study conducted by respondi Market Research Institute, significantly more trainees feel well-prepared for a job compared to college graduates. Almost two-thirds (around 60 percent) of this group benefit from the high practical share of their dual education at career entry. Meanwhile, only 34 percent of academics feel well to very well prepared for working life, notably among professionals in the healthcare and production sector.
Höchste Zeit also, gängige Vorurteile infrage zu stellen. Der Karriereweg über die Berufliche – stärker praxisorientierte – Bildung ist für viele eine lohnende Alternative zum Studium. Das gilt für junge Menschen bei der Berufswahl ebenso wie für Unternehmen bei der Suche nach Talenten für eine gemeinsame Zukunft. Die deutsche Wirtschaft jedenfalls profitiert seit Jahrzehnten von der betriebsnahen Aus- und Weiterbildung – und ist auch in Zukunft auf beruflich top qualifizierte Fachkräfte angewiesen!
Whether it's Power Grid Foremen or Business Economists: Advanced vocational training has greatly benefited graduates. How did this happen and how are they doing today? We have asked women and men who have pursued further education. Watch our compelling and personal videos here.
Higher vocational education pays off: POSITION spoke with practitioners from Erwin Hymer Group and the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK Bonn/Rhein-Sieg) about the benefits of further education for businesses and employees.
Ansprechpartnerin
Julia Flasdick
Director Education Policy, Universities, Research and Structural Issues
