Continuing vocational education and training - what costs, what benefits do participants have?

With the economy experiencing profound change, technology continuing to develop at a breakneck pace and German society growing ever older, there can be no questioning the enormous importance of continuing vocational education and training (CVET). Individuals are expected not only to be willing to learn on a life-long basis but also share the costs this involves. However, individuals invest in continuing vocational training only when they feel it offers reasonable benefits. What is the current level of participation in continuing vocational training? How much time and money do individuals invest in CVET? What benefits do they expect from it and what is their assessment of the benefits they have actually obtained from CVET? What differences can be seen by age, education level and occupation? Responding to these questions, this report offers precise and subtle findings and diverse analyses that are based on a representative survey of persons who are employed or seeking employment.