IHK Dresden Calls for Reform of Vocational School Planning - IHK Dresden Calls for Reform of Vocational School Planning
The Dresden Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) is pushing for major changes to Saxony’s vocational school system. It warns that a severe teacher shortage and inefficient school locations are undermining training quality. The organisation has now proposed a series of reforms to improve apprenticeships and address staffing gaps.
The IHK argues that Saxony’s current network of 60 state-run vocational schools spread across 100 sites is unsustainable. Instead of maintaining widespread rural coverage, it calls for a ‘location principle’—focusing training where businesses are most concentrated. This would mean closing less efficient sites, such as Rodewisch in Vogtland, a small town of around 6,000 people where tourism training takes place, or Weißwasser, which hosts IT specialist courses.
The chamber also insists that future planning must prioritise locations with strong public transport and enough local housing, including dormitories. By consolidating teachers at fewer, better-equipped schools, the IHK believes the system could tackle the ongoing staff shortage more effectively. Nearly half of Saxony’s vocational teachers are set to retire by 2030, adding urgency to the reform. To attract new educators, the IHK has launched a scholarship programme. From their fifth semester onwards, future vocational school teachers can receive €500 per month for up to 36 months. The goal is to improve the profession’s image and ensure a steady supply of qualified staff.
The proposed reforms aim to streamline Saxony’s vocational education by reducing the number of school sites and focusing resources where demand is highest. With teacher shortages looming and many rural locations deemed inefficient, the IHK’s plan could reshape how apprenticeships are delivered across the region.
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