A workflow oriented model for advanced vocational training in information technology

Advanced vocational training opens up new perspectives to reduce the lack of specialists and professionals in the IT branch. Different to other occupational groups, the market for vocational training courses is badly structured and offers only a low degree of transparency about competencies and skills of employees. To solve this problem, the German federal government has ordered an expert group to define work profiles for IT specialists and professionals. 28 profiles on a specialist levels and 6 profiles on a professional level have been defined. The article presents a new model of advanced vocational training to qualify employees for these vocational profiles. Different from traditional curricula, we describe relevant objectives and subject matters as "reference projects" that allow trainers and participants to individually shape their vocational training measures.