Germany: VET at the highest qualification level

The German and the European Qualifications Frameworks (DQF/EQF), classify the German education system into eight levels. They ensure transparency and comparability between vocational and academic education. Vocational qualifications such as Professional Specialist, Bachelor Professional and Master Professional already cover EQF levels 6 and 7. However, EQF level 8 has so far been reserved exclusively for academic doctorates. This gap raises the question of how to make vocational excellence visible beyond existing pathways.

Recognition of excellent innovation and complex problem-solving skills

The project ‘DQF-8-BB-Exzellence‘(2024–2027) investigates this gap and develops possible solutions. Its objective is not to import doctoral/PhD programmes into vocational education, but to create practice-oriented top-level qualifications. It focusses on recognising exceptional professional achievements, such as innovative projects and complex problem-solving that go far beyond the standard requirements. In many companies, experienced skilled workers make a significant contribution to new technologies and processes, yet these achievements still lack formal recognition.

Identification of highly qualified professional skills

The project examines possible indicators of innovation, such as patent applications and professional or innovation awards. In an initial project phase, it systematically analysed the requirements for vocational qualifications at DQF level 8 and compared them with the current requirements for doctoral students and the skills that PhD graduates have. It also examined international approaches to identify alternative models for recognising highly qualified professional competences.  In April 2026, the project partners published key findings in an interim report on the scientific analyses carried out during the first phase.

The focus started with the electrical and metalworking industries. A case study examines the criteria that so-called ‘major professional projects’ must meet to be recognised as evidence of outstanding competence in this sector. In the long term, the partners aim to apply the findings to other sectors.

Concrete models for assessing excellence in professional practice

Building on this work, the project develops concrete models for assessment and recognition procedures in a second phase. Among other things, it discusses extensive practical and innovative projects assessed by expert panels. In contrast to academic procedures, the focus here is not on scientific knowledge but on the independent resolution of complex operational challenges. In parallel, the partners are drafting texts for a possible nationwide, standardised continuing/education regulation and examining options for legal anchoring in the Vocational Training Act or the Crafts and Trades Regulation Act.

Collaboration between science, politics and business

The project is being implemented jointly by the Research Institute for Vocational Training in the Skilled Trades at the University of Cologne, the Association of West German Chambers of Crafts and the Arnsberg – Hellweg-Sauerland Chamber of Industry and Commerce, in collaboration with the Education Centre for the Metalworking Industry (Bildungswerk Metall). The Hagen Distance Learning University – Institute of Educational Science and Media Research provides scientific support.

Funding comes from the InnoVET PLUS programme of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBFSJ). The Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) is responsible for implementation. The programme supports nationwide projects that boost the attractiveness, quality and equivalence of vocational education and training (VET).

New career paths in VET

The network partners provide regular updates on the latest developments, for example in newsletters and at the DQR8 practice talks. It is not yet clear whether they actually will create a new qualification at DQF level 8. The partners discuss research findings and concepts on an ongoing basis with practitioners. A qualification at the highest level of the qualifications framework would open up new career paths and further strengthen the equivalence of academic education and VET. At the same time, it could help to raise the profile of highly qualified skilled workers and recognise their innovative achievements.