Did the Bologna Process Challenge the German Apprenticeship System? Evidence from a Natural Experiment

Stephan Thomsen and Johannes Trunzer ()
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Johannes Trunzer: Leibniz University of Hannover

No 13806, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: Starting in 1999, the Bologna Process reformed the German five-year study system for a first degree into the three-year bachelor's (BA) system to harmonize study lengths in Europe and improve competitiveness. This reform unintentionally challenged the German apprenticeship system that offers three-year professional training for the majority of school leavers. Approximately 29% of new apprentices are university-eligible graduates from academic-track schools. We evaluate the effects of the Bologna reform on new highly educated apprentices using a generalized difference-in-differences design based on detailed administrative student and labor market data. Our estimates show that the average regional expansion in first-year BA students decreased the number of new highly educated apprentices by 3%–5%; average treatment effects on those indecisive at school graduation range between –18% and –29%. We reveal substantial gender and occupational heterogeneity: males in STEM apprenticeships experienced the strongest negative effects. The reform aggravated the skills shortage in the economy.

Keywords: apprenticeships; post-secondary education decisions; Bologna Process; higher education (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I23 I28 J24 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 66 pages
Date: 2020-10
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-edu, nep-eur, nep-lma and nep-ure
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Published - revised version published online in: Journal of Human Capital , 11 October 2024

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Related works:
Journal Article: Did the Bologna Process Challenge the German Apprenticeship System? Evidence from a Natural Experiment (2024)
Working Paper: Did the Bologna Process Challenge the German Apprenticeship System? Evidence from a Natural Experiment (2020)
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