The examination room is prepared, the tasks are ready, and the tension is high. Few people stop to think about who helps shape the conditions under which examinations are held, training is conducted, and discussions on quality in vocational education take place. Enter the Vocational Education Committee – a statutory body that often works out of the public eye but exerts significant influence.
"The responsibilities of a regional Vocational Education Committee are precisely defined by the Vocational Education Act (BBiG). This work does not operate independently but rather as part of a nationwide system," says Heidrun Feine, alternating chair of the Vocational Education Committee (BBA) at the IHK Wiesbaden for many years. "Vocational training, further education, and career preparation – these are the areas the Vocational Education Committee oversees," adds Ines Habekost, deputy director of education at the IHK Wiesbaden. She organises the meetings alongside the chairs, prepares them, keeps minutes, and invites speakers for specialised presentations when necessary. The BBA also issues guidelines and ordinances for vocational education in the region. "It has legislative power," she says.
The committee is evenly composed of representatives from employers and employees. Vocational schools are also involved. "While they do not have voting rights, they are very valuable members. It is highly productive and helpful for schools to share their perspectives," says Heidrun Feine, who serves on the committee as a union representative. Her long-time deputy, Thomas Wolf, an employer representative, adds: "In Germany, with our dual education system, involving schools is vital." Like Feine, he serves on the BBA in a voluntary capacity.
The IHK Vocational Training Committee – briefly explained
The Vocational Training Committee is a statutory body of the IHK. Employer and employee representatives, as well as teachers at vocational schools, collaborate voluntarily within it. It addresses all essential aspects of vocational education, is consulted and informed by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK), and participates in establishing regulations, such as examination regulations. It plays a key role in the continual development of vocational education quality, drawing on practical insights from businesses and schools. Members are generally appointed for a term of four years.
Close to Practical Training
The committee meets three times a year. Topics such as AI and digitalisation, which are becoming integral to all professions, are currently particularly pressing. "We have enacted a revised examination regulation where digitalisation plays a crucial role in conducting written examinations," explains Feine. "Even the training logbook can now be kept digitally." The first mid-term examinations have since been conducted using computers. "This required legal basis," adds Ines Habekost. "We adhere to the guidelines of the Main Committee for Vocational Education and implement them locally." The committee is also concerned about the declining number of trainees and training companies. "For training companies, it is challenging when certain vocational branches are no longer taught at Wiesbaden schools. This means trainees often have to travel significant distances to attend school, making the training place less attractive," reports Wolf. Feine adds: "This issue is not unique to our region."
The Organisational Structure of the Vocational Education Committee
The IHK is responsible for appointing employer representatives, while unions appoint employee representatives. School representatives are appointed by the respective Ministry of Education. Habekost has been actively promoting the committee's work, as the regular four-year term ends in the summer. She has strong networks with training managers and HR leaders and targets suitable individuals for these roles. The employer positions are already secured, as many are keen to contribute. "It is more challenging for the unions," notes Heidrun Feine. "Members need to have experience with vocational education, ideally as training managers. Alternatively, full-time union officers covering vocational education within their remit could step in." Ultimately, the appointment of members is formalised by the state’s Ministry of Economics, highlighting the significance of this body.
Voluntary – and Highly Rewarding
Volunteering in this capacity is not a side job but an investment in the future of skilled workers. Thomas Wolf states: "We benefit greatly from the dual training system. The better the training, the better the employees companies will later have. This makes the time invested worthwhile." The time commitment, however, is manageable. Heidrun Feine mentions around two to three hours per month, with her deputy spending slightly less time. "It is rewarding and meaningful work, even on a personal level. You are rewarded with numerous contacts with interesting individuals," she says. Networking with other companies and the direct connection to schools are seen as particularly valuable by both. "You can genuinely make a difference."
Ensuring Quality in Education
A practical example of the Wiesbaden BBA's work is how it handles absenteeism. Ines Habekost explains: "We discussed whether trainees with high absenteeism rates should be allowed to take their examinations. We agreed on a procedure where the IHK is informed of trainees’ absenteeism early on. This enables us to address these problems with employers and trainees sooner." Additionally, a guideline for retraining measures was adopted to ensure the quality of training providers. "This ultimately promotes equality of opportunity, as participants can trust that programmes are genuinely qualifying and reliable." While this guideline was centrally issued by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), it was adapted and implemented locally.
A local IHK’s BBA does not operate independently but instead functions as part of a nationwide structure, which is highly formalised. Directives and recommendations often come from the Main Committee and must be implemented at the regional level. Simultaneously, there are avenues for feedback to be passed back: at the state level through discussion rounds and at the federal level through working groups and conferences. This allows regional knowledge to be fed back into overarching systems.
The BBA of an IHK rarely steals the limelight – but has a significant impact on the success of vocational education in the region.
IHK Vocational Training Magazine POSITION
This article is part of the summer issue of the IHK Vocational Training Magazine POSITION, which will be published on July 15.
The magazine is primarily aimed at trainers, examiners, and HR managers in the member companies of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK).
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Stefanie Richter
Editor at UNIVERSUM Verlag GmbH