Revaluing the craftsmanship by reforming initial vocational training

After the presentation of a joint working document at a press conference in October 2022, the OGBL, more precisely its Education and Sciences Syndicate (SEW/OGBL), and the Association des Maîtres d’Enseignement du Luxembourg (Amelux) have continued their dialogue with the aim of making joint proposals in order to face the absolute necessity of revalorizing the craftmanship and the various related trainings. These discussions led to the drawing up of a joint position. This joint position paper, which includes the main ideas, demands and proposals of measures to be implemented at the level of initial vocational training, will be communicated in the coming weeks to the political parties with the explicit request to take a position on the question of the upgrading of the craftmanship.

The upgrading of vocational training requires a reform of the lower cycle of general secondary education

In their joint position paper, the SEW/OGBL and Amelux call for an in-depth review of the organization of the lower general secondary cycle. On the other hand, they propose to counteract the choices often made by default, indeed by failure, which tend to demotivate young people to engage in concomitant training, by extending the lower cycle of general higher education by one year. This additional year (4th) would bring young people closer to vocational training and training in companies, allowing them to make a decision on their future school course with a better knowledge of the facts.

Upgrading the CCP and DAP trainings

Following the 4th common, SEW/OGBL and Amelux propose to continue to maintain a duration of 3 years for the DAP training and part of the CCP training. Student apprentices would thus experience a seven-year secondary education like their colleagues in classical secondary education and general secondary education. This will facilitate bridges between the different training paths and will bring the name of the vocational training diplomas into line with that of the other systems.

It goes without saying, however, that this new “Première professionnelle” (1DAP) would not give access to university studies in the same way as a “Première” in classical or general secondary education. However, this “Première professionnelle” would provide more opportunities for young people in training, opening up the perspective of easier access to the master’s qualification.

In this context, the SEW/OGBL and Amelux reiterate their demand that the master’s qualification should be considered as a level 6 qualification in the Luxembourg qualification framework, as it is in Germany, for example.

Reintegrating the Technician division into general education

For SEW/OGBL and Amelux, it appeared that the technician courses are in practical terms closer to general education than to vocational training and they therefore propose to reintegrate these courses into general education. Furthermore, the content of the technician’s modules should be adapted to allow all DT students to potentially continue their studies towards higher education, be it a BTS or a “Fachhochschule” type of training, also with a view to revalorizing the technician’s training.

The OGBL, its Education and Science Syndicate and Amelux will continue their collaboration in order to revalorize the initial vocational training and the craftmanship.

Press release by AMELUX and SEW/OGBL,
March 2, 2023