Apprenticeship drought hits Germany

Last updated: 2023/07/29 at 11:09 PM

starconnect Published 29 July 2023

Tjark Merker, apprentice machinist, works on a lathe in the apprentice workshop of the writing instrument manufacturer Montblanc. Photo: Marcus Brandt/dpa

Emmanuel Thomas I Saturday, July 29, 2023

BERLIN – Many companies in Germany will again have problems finding trainees this year as large numbers of apprenticeship places went unfilled, according to the government.

Some 256,000 training places were still vacant in June, compared with 147,000 applicants who had not yet found a job, Federal Employment Agency (BA) data showed.

The dearth of trainees comes amid acute shortages of workers in several sectors, especially skilled craftsmen and in the trades.

However, skilled trades also reported almost 36,000 vacant apprenticeship places at the end of June – 6.8% more than a year earlier. This was partially due to many potential trainees opting to continue their schooling instead.

In the retail sector alone, the BA in June recorded almost 40,000 vacant apprenticeship places for salespeople and sales assistants. Many apprentices were also sought in warehouse management, metal trades, construction, the food sector and vehicle driving.

TAGGED: Apprenticeship