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The relevance of college education in a German context is deeply related to the question of the relationship between vocational and academic education. This is an established topic of educational research in Germany, but also in many other national systems. Particular focal points are often the possibilities or limitations of the transition from vocational to higher education. Transitions from one educational sector to another are only one facet of the relationship between vocational and academic education. Another aspect that is widespread in the discourse concerns the question of whether the sectors are in a more competitive or primarily complementary relationship. This talk provides empirical data regarding the degrees and certificates acquired in vocational and academic German education programmes. Questions of the usability of the degrees awarded in the two sectors on the labour market are considered, as is the development of hybrid education programmes that enable the interlinking of vocational and higher education learning processes. Overall, the talk analyses the developments that are contributing to the academisation of vocational education and training and the vocationalisation of higher education. Furthermore, the special circumstances of the education and employment system in Germany will be reflected in the context of complementarity and/or competition between the different education sectors.