From ‘Old’ to ‘New’: Continuities and Discontinuities as Experienced by a Group of Trainers

Abstract

This chapter reports the findings of interviews with trainers who had experience of training practice in their industry both in the GDR and in the post-communist situation of the FRG. The metal and electrical industries were major state industries in GDR and remain as relatively large employers and providers of training in the new Lander.¹

Teachers, when we sounded them about our future, did not become embarrassed but spoke about the ideological power which is ours and which withstands everything. We noted this in our notebooks.

Peter Wawerzinek, ‘Das Kind das ich war’ (a GDR author describes his youth in the GDR)