Duration of full-time compulsory education: 9 - 10 years (compulsory general education)

Subsequent period of part-time compulsory education: 3 years (compulsory vocational education)

Duration of compulsory education and designation of schools varies according to the law of each "Land" of the Federal Republic of Germany (16 in all).

2. Dual System

Germany has a dual system of education (two different places of learning).
That means vocational schools provide the theoretical training while companies give a practical training. Trainees either attend the two places of training alternately or simultaneously.

Only few students with learning disabilities are able to cope with the requirements of such training. Therefore it is necessary to train the majority of these students in a different special way.

They need support in the companies, in the vocational schools and in their personal environment in order to be able to handle the various requirements of their training as well as an independent way of life.

It is a great advantage that there are many different concepts (not only in Germany but all over Europe).

The variety of concepts goes along with the abilities of the students.

3. Initial Vocational Integration

Goal: Enable the disabled person to gain as many qualifications as possible (the aim is for the disabled to be trained in a recognised occupation requiring formal training) and to become permanently integrated into the general employment market.

Germany offers a variety of professional educational measures for the disabled. They differ from each other through the intensity of their various possibilities that are offered in contrast to a "normal" way of a professional training in the dual system.

The concept of measures and learning places depend on:
- type and
- extent of the handicap.

Therefore an initial diagnosis is important in order to make the right decision for a suitable learning place.

A presently important topic is the right allocation. That means to find the "right" learning location for the "right" young person with SEN.

In some Lander they try to develop individual measures for pupils with SEN in co-operation of an interdisciplinary network. In these networks for choosing appropriate measures for vocational training (Eingliederungsfachdienste) exists a co-operation between career-office, rehabilitation centre, social workers, teachers, doctors and other experts.

The guiding principle for any support given to the vocational training of disabled young people is:

"As normal as possible, yet as specific as necessary" (BA, 1999)

Therefore a lot of projects arise from the development of integration in mainstream schools. Besides there exists a tendency to more collaboration between school and vocational school, planning joint measures (e.g. Bistro or providing other services) with realistic character at school during the last school year.

4. Opportunities for Vocational Education and Integration
The school of general education and the Careers Advice Service work together closely on a career choice (pre-vocational training).
According to the SGB III (third Volume of the German Social Welfare Code) the provision of career orientation is the duty of the Office of Employment.
The Careers Advice Service is responsible for: 
- ascertaining vocational suitability 
- pre-vocational training programmes
- supporting the rehabilitation

4.1 Pre-Vocational Training
It has shown to be very helpful for a successful training to arrange pre-vocational training measures after learning at a school for special needs education and before starting the vocational education.

Compulsory schools prepare their pupils for making a decision on their career through:
- pre-vocational studies (Arbeitslehre)
- visits to companies and work placements
- cooperation with career guidance departments of public employment offices

After compulsory schools there are:
- school-based forms of career preparation (e.g. a prevocational year)
- measures of the Careers Advice Service (e.g. support course)
- preparatory training in a workshop for disabled ( the development of some sheltered workshops is very carefully beginning to be more flexible and open.

4.2 Vocational Training
For the purposes of the "Vocational Training Act" (Berufsbildungsgesetz) the expression of "vocational training" means
- initial training
- further training and
- re-training

Initial Training

- in a recognised occupation requiring formal training according to the BBiG (Berufsbildungsgeetz) or to the HWO (Handwerksordnung)
- or according to special training regulations for the disabled (§ 48 BBiG, § 42b HWO)

* within industry/ company with or without general services in accordance to the German Social Welfare Code, Vol. III (SGB III), § 100 (priority) with

- vocational training allowance
- training support measures
- training in external institutions

* with special services in accordance to SGB III, § 102 in

- a Vocational training establishment (e.g. BBW = Berufsbildungswerk)
- a Career development centre
- an other rehabilitation centre located nearby
(e.g. BAW = Berufsausbildungswerk Mittelfranken) or with boarding school attached to the centre.

5. Transition to the Job Market

Trainees are not automatically taken on employees by companies following successful of vocational training.

Additional measures for aiding integration into employment market:

- Follow-up supervision
- Supervision by the Psychosocial Service
- Assistance during working life and career specified by the "Disabled Person Act".