Apprenticeship in the Aerospace Industry in the UK and Germany

How far does standardization override national differences?

Workplace learning is an essential part of the initial training in England and Germany. In Germany, this learning is particularly located inside the dual education. In England it is manifested, inter alia, in the design of apprenticeships. What content is learned and how successful the learning process are depending on the context in which learning takes place. These conditions are affected by factors at the macro-, meso- and micro- levels. Factors on the macro- and meso-level, here technical standardization and international regulations affecting the conditions of the workplace learning and in turn the learning process at the micro level.

The impact on the learning process, however, are not well discussed in the international comparative VET research. Therefore, the research question considered following aspects: guiding international technical and regulatory convergences at the macro level to convergence in terms of the process and the results of workplace learning at the micro level?

The sector of technical aviation is traditionally highly regulated due to strict safety regulations and therefore presents itself as a research focus.

The scientists from the Institute of Education in London and the University of Cologne this research will work together in the project. To realize the objective, a combination of "workshops", "overseas travel" and "exchange visits" is planned. The focus is on the planning, execution and analysis of three case studies from the aviation industry in each country, as well as the comparison between the countries. To this end, a mixed-method approach is used in conjunction with a case study approach based on a theoretical conception. The research question is processed in the six companies by non-participant observation of trainees in the workplace, semi-structured interviews with trainees, trainers and other staff involved and a document analysis of the work plans, job training programs and exams. The evaluation is carried criteria directed and provides the basis for the comparison of the country findings. Following joint publications as well as the configuration of a major collaborative research project are planned.