本文透過文件分析法，探究德國如何培育高級應用型人才，並以專門高等學校做為探討主軸。在行文次序上，先探究專門高等學校興起的脈絡與發展，而後再進一步從專門高等學校的內、外部視角加以探究。德國對於職業教育的重視，深植於中世紀的學徒制，並受到Luther宗教改革對於「職業」概念的影響；在制度上，則以《職業教育法》為法律框架，明訂國家、學校與業界之不同權責，以兼顧不同層面的利益與需求。二次大戰後，西德在滿目瘡痍的廢墟中創造了令人驚豔的「經濟奇蹟」，而對於高級應用型人才的需求日殷，因此，在1960年代設立專門高等學校；該類型學校從成立之初，便樹立其有別於綜合性大學的新型高等教育機構，形成其獨特的辦學定位與人才培育模式；此從招收有實務經驗的學生、徵聘具實務經驗的教師、設置應用性專業、強調應用導向之教學與研究、強化產學合作、建立不同類型之評鑑機制等環節，而成功地發展為「不同但等值」的高等教育機構。

In this study the document analysis method was used to examine the training of highly skilled technicians in Germany, especially at universities of applied sciences. A presentation of the establishment and development of the universities of applied sciences is followed by an analysis of their internal functioning and their role in German society. The great importance given to professional training in contemporary Germany has its roots in the medieval apprenticeship system, and has also been influenced by Martin Luther’s ideas about work. Incorporating regulations for professional training into the legal framework has resulted in a clear demarcation of the rights and duties of the state, schools, and industry. Following World War II, West Germany’s astonishingly rapid economic recovery led to a steadily increasing demand for highly skilled technical personnel. In order to satisfy this demand, the universities of applied sciences were established in the 1960s. Right from their inception, the orientation and purpose of these schools have been quite different from those of comprehensive universities, as illustrated in their recruitment of both students and faculty with previous work experience, an emphasis on practical learning and research, extensive cooperation with industry, and the use of their own form evaluation. The result has been the establishment of two systems of education which are separate but equal.