Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the so called "DACH"-countries, are the core places of dual apprenticeship on a global scale. These countries and their vocational education and training systems were seen for a long time as an effective setting for coping with youth unemployment and skills mismatch but also as pathways that integrate school-weary young people into the world of work. Even today, the dual system of VET has been chosen as a role model by the OECD and other international organisations and sometimes even is considered a gold standard of vocational education and training.

In the following we discuss statements, which seem to characterize these VET systems at first glance, although they are not always clear regarding what is meant in the respective countries.

The following aspects aim to depict the features of dual VET in Germany, Austria and Switzerland in a synoptical manner:

(1)   Dual systems of VET consist of two learning sites

(2)   Social partners are important for running the dual system

(3)   Chambers play a crucial role in dual VET

(4)   Short-term programs in higher vocational education complement the dual system

(5)   Short-term apprenticeships are one instrument to include more young people in the dual system

(6)   VET reforms in dual apprenticeship countries (such as the vocational baccalaureate or the bachelor professional) ease the progression to further and higher education

These features have undergone in one or the other country fundemental changes and reveal, that dual systems are also dynamic entities.

In this paper we show that duality of VET and the VET systems differ between the three countries. We will discuss, alongside pivotal aspects, their major differences and commonalities. The selection of the issues as well as the findings for each nation are based on comparative research, on cases studies, including historical accounts and recent research and expert knowledge. A content analysis of documents and studies based on key terms reveals the profile of dual systems.

Dual VET is under pressure, but has undergone reforms and facelifts in recent times. Reform activities, however, differ manifestly between the three countries. All three dual apprenticeship systems are facing decline in terms of numbers entering. On the other hand, dual VET still is seen as a success model since still a considerable proportion of school leavers take up training in the dual system. Also, firms still are committed to the dual system. Differences can be seen in its relative weight in the VET system, its general reputation (“standing”) and its links with higher education.

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