A comparative study of traditional dual vocational training programs and non-company-based training programs on educational achievement, economic outcomes, job satisfaction, and training satisfaction

The purpose of the study was to examine the German dual vocational training system. There were two major branches of this system: (a) traditional dual vocational training programs, and (b) non-company based dual vocational training programs.;Variables used were economic outcomes, educational achievement, training satisfaction, and job satisfaction. For each of the variables, various proxies were applied.;The study utilized an existing database of the Bundesinstitut fur Berufliche Bildung, Bonn, Germany. Statistical procedures were Chi-Square analyses, t-tests, and ANOVAs.;Based on the conflicting results of proxies discussed for training satisfaction, it was concluded that none of the two groups was clearly more satisfied with the quality of their training program than the other group.;Educational achievement was analyzed according to grades on the comprehensive final examinations suggested similarity between the two programs in terms of preparing for those examinations.;Based on the findings of the proxies of economic outcomes, it was concluded that graduates from traditional programs fared economically better in the workplace than did their non-company based counterparts. However, economic differences could not be traced back to differences in the quality of the two programs.;Based of the findings of the proxies of job satisfaction, it was concluded that the level of job satisfaction of employed graduates from both training programs were very similar.