Vocational STEM Qualification for All. Impetus for Policymakers from acatech’s Education Working Group

The standard of knowledge in mathematics and the natural sciences among around 20 per cent of all 15 year olds in Germany is too low to prepare them adequately for further education. A lack of skills and a high apprenticeship dropout rate is also resulting in thousands of apprenticeship places going unfilled.

With a focus on the growing skills shortage in the STEM sector (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) as well as on the societal goal of equality of opportunity, an effort needs to be made to ensure that all people are qualified to enter the professional and working world of STEM.

acatech’s Education Working Group emphasises three tools necessary for the equitable and future-oriented design of the school and education system:

• minimum standards for STEM education,
• entry qualification for vocational training,
• courses on career guidance and preparation.

Further impetus for policymakers can be found in the publication. It offers an oversight on the key issues regarding vocational STEM qualifications for all and seeks to initiate a broad societal dialogue on equality of opportunity in the educational system.