Berufsschule

Berufsschule, or vocational school, is a type of secondary school in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland that provides theoretical and practical training for skilled trades and other occupations. It operates within the dual education system, where most students combine work in a training company with school-based instruction. The school equips apprentices with general education, professional knowledge, and transferable skills needed in the workplace.

In Germany, Berufsschule is attended by trainees during their dual apprenticeship, which typically lasts two to three and a half years. Students attend classes part-time (one or two days per week) or in block phases, depending on the region and apprenticeship occupation. The curriculum covers general subjects such as German, mathematics, foreign languages, and social studies, as well as vocational theory tied to the student’s trade. Successful completion leads to a recognized professional qualification and, in many cases, the possibility to obtain higher education entrance qualifications such as the Fachhochschulreife.

Austria and Switzerland have similar dual education structures. In Austria, Lehrlinge attend Berufsschule alongside their apprenticeship and take the Lehrabschlussprüfung at the end; some programs also allow access to further qualifications through Berufsschulen that culminate in a higher-secondary diploma. In Switzerland, Berufsschulen provide theoretical instruction for apprentices who complete an Eidgenössisches Fähigkeitszeugnis (EFZ); cantons regulate attendance patterns, typically one to two days per week, with the rest spent in the training company. Some Swiss tracks also offer the Berufsmatura, a vocational matriculation that opens access to universities of applied sciences and, with further study, to traditional universities.

Beyond national differences, Berufsschulen share the goal of bridging classroom learning and real-work competencies, supporting career entry and ongoing professional development. They are financed and governed by different authorities in each country, reflecting regional education systems.