Germany and South Africa are extending their cooperation in vocational education and training

The German-South African vocational education and training cooperation has been extended for a further three years. The successful collaboration between the two countries will thus continue. “Today’s renewal of the Joint Declaration of Intent on vocational education and training cooperation underlines the close ties of trust between our two countries,” explained Parliamentary State Secretary Thomas Rachel (BMBF).

On 25 February 2019, the South African Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) extended their Joint Declaration of Intent on vocational education and training for a further three years. South African Minister Naledi Pandor (DHET) and Parliamentary State Secretary Thomas Rachel (BMBF) signed the agreement at a formal ceremony in Pretoria. The successful collaboration between the two countries in the area of VET, which dates back to 2013, is thus set to continue.

Cooperation will centre on strengthening the practical relevance of South African VET. There will be a particular focus on supporting the modernisation of curricula, the training of VET staff, networking between the state and trade and industry, and the establishment of a South African Institute for Vocational Education and Training.

Discussions on the progress of cooperation and on the agreement of new collaborative approaches have been taking place annually since 2013 within the scope of bilateral working groups and technical meetings. The next meeting of the working group is expected to be scheduled for 2019 and will take place as part of the Bi-National Commission (BNC).