The transition from school to vocational training is a sensitive phase for young people. It often determines their professional future. To make this step a success, they need not only motivation but also support. That is why the Dual Vocational Training Preparation Program (AVdual) exists. In the district of Tübingen, the Regional Transition Management team actively supports this process.
Regional Transition Management is part of the Youth Department at the Tübingen District Office. There, Franziska Dröscher and Christian Dettweiler coordinate AVdual in the district of Tübingen, among other things. The office is a specialist advice and contact point for questions about the transition from school to vocational training and work. It connects schools, authorities, institutions, and independent organizations in the district of Tübingen in the area of school-career transition. It also works to further expand and improve structures, for example in career guidance. In addition, Regional Transition Management organizes events and offers, among other things, intercultural parents’ evenings on the school and training system in Germany.
tuenews INTERNATIONAL conducted an interview with Franziska Dröscher from Regional Transition Management to learn more about AVdual.
Who is this program intended for?
The program is aimed at young people under the age of 18 who are required to attend vocational school and who have not found a suitable place to continue their education after completing general education. Reasons for this may include a lack of school qualifications, unclear career aspirations, or language difficulties. “This may be of interest to refugees and migrants with a language level of A2/B1 or higher,” explains Dröscher.
What is special about AVdual?
AVdual is a one-year educational program at vocational schools. “AVdual teaches academic and practical vocational skills,” explains Dröscher. It is a full-time school where young people receive intensive support. A central component is internships in companies. In total, students complete 30 internship days during the school year – either weekly or in blocks, depending on the school.
They are supported by learning advisors and so-called AVdual mentors. These mentors help with career orientation, finding internships and apprenticeships, and with personal or school-related problems. “AVdual provides young people with intensive preparation for their training,” says Dröscher. There is also the option of obtaining a secondary school diploma.
Which schools offer AVdual?
In the district of Tübingen, AVdual is offered at three schools:
Mathilde-Weber-Schule Tübingen (profiles: home economics and nutrition, health and care, economics and services)
https://www.mathilde-weber-schule.de/de/Bildungsangebot/Berufsvorbereitung/Ausbildungsvorbereitung-Dual(AV-Dual).
Tübingen Vocational School (metal technology, wood technology, nutrition, personal care, automotive technology, electrical engineering)
https://www.gs-tuebingen.de/de/Bildungsangebot/Berufsvorbereitung/Ausbildungsvorbereitung-dual
Rottenburg Vocational School (cooking and workshop)
https://www.bsrottenburg.de/de/Bildungsangebot/AVdual
All AVdual classes teach subjects such as German, English, mathematics, computer applications, and physical education.
What are the opportunities and challenges?
Most young people in AVdual aim to obtain a secondary school diploma. The goal is to find an apprenticeship or other follow-up opportunity after the year. Nevertheless, there are challenges: “Since AVdual only lasts one school year, it is not easy for all students to obtain a secondary school leaving certificate and find an apprenticeship during this time, despite the amount of support available,” says Dröscher. Good German language skills and regular school attendance are therefore particularly important.
How does registration work?
Registration takes place directly at the respective school using a registration form on the school website. The deadline is March 1. Late registrations are possible if there are still places available.
For more information:
https://www.kreis-tuebingen.de/soziales/jugend/jugendberufshilfe_+regionales+uebergangsmanagement
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