On the assumption that education in values and moral education are necessary, moral competence (to make judgments) and the structure and development of the faculty of moral judgment should not be disregarded, even in the vocational education system. The main features of Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral development are described as a basis for this before empirical results enable the author to make statements on the status of the moral competence to make judgments among business trainees. When fostering the moral competence to make judgments, attention should be paid in particular to certain development conditions: skillful appraisal, perceived conflicts, opportunities for communication, experience of cooperation, responsibility and opportunities to act. Information on a beneficial structuring of conditions in vocational colleges can be derived Fthe available empirical results on moral atmosphere in private and professional fields of action; this information is beneficial to the development of value orientation and the ability to reflect on moral matters. (Contains 3 footnotes and 4 figures.)