Integrating Practice-Based Learning into Formal Education: Stakeholder Perspectives on the Challenges of Learning Location Cooperation (LLC) in Germany’s Dual VET System

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This is a very well written article. Each section of the document is well presented and coherent. The research questions are most pertinent to the issues highlighted from the literature review. The method is clearly explained and justified. The approach to data analysis is explained very well and justified. The findings present a comprehensive set of issues that are common in literature. I congratulate the author(s) for a very well-constructed paper on a topic that has relevance for supporting young people's learning in any country. 

Here are a few points to consider:

# Provide a bit more detail about the sites where the apprentices were placed. Were they small, medium or large enterprises? Their size would have implications for resources and scope of tasks that apprentices may experience.

# Line 265 refers to ‘chapter’. If this paper is based on a book chapter, then please check for any overlaps in text in the two separate submissions.

# Can apprentices play a role as agents for the partnership between organisations and staff who support their learning? Can they receive some training for this role?

# The paper is about Learning Location Cooperation – this relates to partnerships between the various institutions. A recent Australian study completed a similar study. Although not with apprentices, this study highlights the principles and practices for shared partnerships to support VET for young people. The premises comprise building and maintaining: i) shared purposes and goals, and intended outcomes, ii) shared ownership and decision-making and relations with partners, iii) resources and capacity building for partnership work, iv) governance and leadership, and v) trust and trustworthiness.  Here is the reference:

Billett, S., Choy, S., Gibbs, K., Mackay, L., Le, L. (2024) Initiating, enacting and sustaining partnerships to inform post school pathways. Journal of Education and Work. https://doi.org/10.1080/13639080.2024.2383564

The author(s) may consider refer to this in their paper. 

# In the final section – Conclusion, the author(s) have summarised the key findings. It would be useful for readers if this summary was presented to show how the findings respond to the research questions.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The complete review is in the PDF.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

I would like to thank and congratulate the authors for their time and effort in incorporating the suggestions into the article. I consider the revised version to be fit for publication, relevant to the field of study and especially improved in its coherence and clarity between the different sections of the article.

Best regards and good luck.