Documenting and evaluating
The training report and training logbook
Documentation and evaluation are of great importance throughout vocational education and training for safeguarding and improving learning outcomes for apprentices. The training report and the training logbook are key tools that are used for this purpose.
The Vocational and Professional Education and Training Act (VPETA) and the Vocational and Professional Education and Training Ordinance (VPETO) emphasise the importance of systematic documentation and evaluation in the training process. Vocational trainers are obliged to regularly review and document the educational level of the apprentices. This is carried out primarily with the training report and on the basis of the training logbook.
Training report
The VPETA stipulates in Article 20 that the managers of the host companies must strive to ensure the best possible learning outcomes for the apprentices and regularly review their progress. The VET Ordinance stipulates that the vocational trainer should record the apprentice’s educational level and discusses it with the apprentice at least once a semester. The training report is the tool that should be used for this. Completing a training report is therefore mandatory.
There are different forms of training reports. For example, this could be a variant of the form used for employee qualification interviews. Individual professional organisations provide job-specific assessment sheets with job-specific content.
The SDBB offers both a neutral training report and an occupation-specific training report
Occupation-specific training report
The occupation-specific training report enables the evaluation of in-company training and also includes vocational school, branch courses , the training logbook as well as agreed objectives. Apprentices and trainers can assess each other and use the report as a basis for their review meeting. No personal data is stored.
Go to the digital training report (in German)
Note for vocational trainers
The neutral training report in PDF format is intended for occupations that do not have clearly defined areas of operational competence, operational competences and performance objectives.
- Training report: form interactive [PDF, 612.1 KB]
- Training report: explanations [PDF, 411.47 KB]
- Training report – Sample Example (In German) [PDF, 137.62 KB]
Checklist: preparing the training report
- Prepare well for the meeting, which will be based on the training report: these two explanatory videos provide helpful tips:
- Explanatory video: Preparing for the meeting
- Explanatory video: Carrying out the discussion
- Clearly define competencies and level of education
- Include and discuss training logbook
- Discuss performance at vocational schools and branch courses
- Enable appraisal of training by the apprentice
- Define and record common objectives for the next semester
Training logbook for basic in-company training
Most VET ordinances require that a training logbook is kept. Implementation can vary from occupation to occupation. Some professional organisations have developed their own training logbook that is tailored to the specific circumstances of each type of basic vocational education and training. For all other basic VET programmes, the SDBB has issued a neutral working tool entitled “Lerndokumentation betriebliche Grundbildung” (training logbook for basic in-company vocational education and training).
The apprentice records how their learning is progressing in the training logbook in the form of learning reports. All substantive work, the acquired skills and experience in the host company should be recorded in as much detail as possible. The training logbook thus serves as a reference work for the entire apprenticeship. In some occupations, the training logbook can be used as an aid for the final examination. This is governed by the respective VET ordinances.
Vocational trainers can gauge from the training logbook the apprentice’s educational path, professional interest and personal commitment. They must check the training logbook regularly, sign it and discuss it in detail at the latest when completing the training report.
The neutral training logbook provided by SDBB-Verlag consists of the following elements:
- Booklet “Anleitung zum Führen der Lerndokumentation” (Instructions for keeping the training logbook)
- Folder with record sheet
- Pad containing learning report forms
The entire training logbook or individual elements can be found in the SDBB shop .
