ABSTRACT
The comparative merits of vocational preparation in Britain and Germany have been widely discussed, to the overwhelming credit of Germany. The possibility of effective learning from the experiences of other countries is often questioned. A key ingredient in the success of German methods has been low apprentice remuneration, which reacts favourably on employers' training costs and, consequently, their willingness to offer training places. The comparative attributes of British and German institutions and their evolution in the post-war period are then considered, leading to an assessment of youth training policy in Britain. Internal markets are organized around particular workplaces or employers. In practice, training for industrial skills in both Britain and Germany, has relied upon employer provision under apprenticeship. A correspondence between youth relative pay and labour market structure is also visible in practice. Internalization appears to have increased in Germany.
