This monograph examines vocational training (VT) in the Federal Republic of Germany. Section 1 presents background information/framework data on the following: Germany's political and administrative structures, population and demographic trends, economy and employment, and education system. In section 2, the historical development of VT in Germany is traced from the Middle Ages through German unification in 1990. Discussed in sections 3-7 are the following: initial VT (definition, Germany's dual system, VT in schools, special forms of initial training, and programs conducted by labor authorities); continuing VT (continuing VT's basic data and structures, target groups/participants, providers, personnel, and legal structural conditions); organization and responsibilities (organization and competence structure in the dual system, collaboration between employers and employees, and competent authorities of continuing VT); financing of VT in enterprises, schools, and external (non-plant) training centers, financing of the promotion of VT through the Federal Labor Office, and financing authorities dealing with VT; and developments and future prospects (problems/trends/developments in the new Lander, VT, and continuing VT and international dimensions in VT). Thirty-five tables/figures are included. Appended are the following: 32-item bibliography; bilingual list of selected institutions, legislation, and key terms; and lists of important addresses, key terms, and related publications (in languages other than German). (MN)