Drawing on his experience in Germany, Brian Lightman argues why we need to quickly change our attitudes towards vocational education.

Did you know that there is only one word for a trade or profession or career in German? Beruf. 

Think about that. One word covers everything from a car mechanic to a brain surgeon. With its root “rufen” – to call, the same word also implies vocation or calling, in fact it applies to any job.

When I lived in Germany I was very struck by conversations I had with parents or anyone involved in education. Invariably advice given to a child who for any reason was struggling in school would be along the following lines: whatever you do make sure that by the time you finish your time at school you have a Beruf.

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