China and Germany – two traditions, two systems, two possible solutions? Both countries are in the middle of the globalisation process and face new challenges. China is celebrated as the booming future market and Germany is acknowledged as one of the driving forces of the European economy. To maintain this acknowledgement, the best modern technology is to be developed and the employees are to be trained in the best way possible. The TVET systems of these countries are also forced to adapt themselves to the requirements of the international market, especially the labour market.

This paper introduces the approaches and models of using the (vocational) education system to train skilled workers in order to meet labour market needs from both the German and the Chinese perspective, taking into account different cultural backgrounds, legal frameworks as well as historical and recent developments within the education system of both countries. The following areas are considered in detail:

- Which implications do the political frameworks of both China and Germany hold for the respective education systems and the access to the labour market?

- How are the vocational education and training systems in both countries organized? What are the legal foundations, how are the systems structured, which role does skills assessment play in achieving labour market compatibility?

- What are the strengths and weaknesses of both systems regarding labour market access? Which implications can be drawn from the comparison of both countries?

This paper will be of service to both researchers and vocational education professionals in the comparative study of vocational education and training in China and Germany as well as for the broader context of internationalization in the training of skilled workers for the labour market.