Vocational guidance in general and vocational education schools in Germany: The relevance of informed choice for successful vocational education and the legacy of Aloys Fischer

Abstract

Abstract This paper aims to reflect Fischer's ideas on vocational orientation and vocational choice as fundamental prerequisites for vocational education in the current German system of vocational guidance in general and vocational education schools. A special focus is placed on Fischer's view on the relevance of informed choice when choosing an occupation. In a first step, the reader will be introduced to the philosophical basis of German vocational guidance, namely, Beruf and self-knowledge, as it is the foundation for understanding Aloys Fischer's thinking on vocational guidance. In a second step, key points of Aloys Fischer's paper ‘Vocational Guidance and Vocational Counsellors’ (1920) that relate to the issue of informed choice will be presented. Finally, as Aloys Fischer's ideas are reflected in vocational guidance in general and vocational education schools in Germany, the paper provides a brief discussion of informed choice—Fischer's central topic—from the author's German and contemporary perspective.