Despite the increasing number of bachelor’s degree holders in recent years, there is limited insight into the roles they occupy within organizations and whether they directly compete for career progression with vocationally trained professionals, such as master craftsmen, technicians, or certified senior clerks. This study reports the findings of a choice experiment in which managers at German companies were asked to select one of three candidates for a vacant project management position. The candidates had either completed advanced vocational training or a bachelor’s degree through dual study programmes (integrating training or practical work). They also varied in other attributes, including training location, final grades, work experience, and area of specialisation. Findings indicate that an establishment’s approach to training and its prior experience with bachelor’s graduates significantly influence career advancement decisions. Candidates with advanced vocational qualifications were favored only in establishments that exclusively support advanced training programmes; in all other cases, the type of qualification did not significantly affect selection. These results suggest that expanding dual higher education programmes and increasing awareness of them could make this path an appealing alternative to traditional advanced vocational training for young professionals.
