Economic Brief

August 2014, No. 14-08

The Prevalence of Apprenticeships in Germany and the United States

Nika Lazaryan, Urvi Neelakantan and David A. Price

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The educational systems and labor markets of Germany and the United States take different approaches to preparing young people for the workforce. One feature of Germany's workforce development model that has been of interest to policymakers in the United States is the important role played by employer-financed apprenticeships. The United States instead relies mainly on comprehensive general education, with career training largely taking place in community colleges and other postsecondary institutions. Research has pointed to several factors that may foster apprenticeships in Germany to a greater extent than in the United States, including labor-market conditions, social norms, and other circumstances.

Additional Resources

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