Record-breaking surge in apprenticeship programs witnessed nationwide
In 2021, the number of unfilled apprenticeship places in Germany saw a significant increase compared to 2018, largely due to demographic changes, economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and shifts in the labor market.
According to the DIHK (Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce), these factors have contributed to the rise in unfilled positions. Fewer young people entering the labor market, companies' reduced willingness to offer apprenticeship spots during uncertain times, and changes in young people's career preferences are some of the reasons behind this trend.
The pandemic caused economic uncertainty, prompting many companies to limit or freeze apprenticeship places temporarily in 2020 and 2021, leading to a backlog and a mismatch between available positions and applicants. Additionally, structural shifts such as digitalization and the increasing importance of fields like AI (highlighted in vocational training contexts) require different skills, possibly discouraging or slowing down traditional apprenticeship uptake.
The hospitality sector, transport and logistics, and the industry (excluding construction) saw particularly strong increases in unfilled apprenticeship places. The hospitality sector witnessed an increase from 56 to 67 percent, while the transport and logistics sector saw an increase from 40 to 54 percent. The industry (excluding construction) saw a significant rise, from 33 to 50 percent, in unfilled apprenticeship places.
Career guidance officers from employment agencies were no longer able to visit schools, and apprenticeship fairs and internships had to be cancelled due to the pandemic. However, companies and chambers of commerce have developed new digital formats to compensate for this lack of offers from schools and employment agencies.
Three in four apprenticeship providers plan to expand their career orientation offerings in the future, with half planning to offer more student internships and 25 percent planning to strengthen digital information offerings.
Dercks, the deputy chief executive of DIHK, stated that companies are actively seeking young talent. He attributes the widening gap between apprenticeship offers and interested young people to the restrictions imposed by the pandemic. The most frequently cited reason for apprenticeship places not being filled is the complete lack of applications, which was the case for 36 percent of companies last year.
In conclusion, the significant increase in unfilled apprenticeships in 2021 compared to 2018 is primarily due to demographic trends, pandemic-related economic impacts limiting available training spots, and evolving labor market demands, as recognized by DIHK and vocational education observers.
In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the growing necessity for personal growth and self-development becomes increasingly evident as young people reconsider their career paths. The shift in skill requirements due to digitalization and the increasing significance of fields like AI, highlighted in vocational training contexts, might discourage traditional apprenticeship uptake, contributing to the education-and-self-development aspect in varied career choices.
To cater to this changing landscape, three out of four apprenticeship providers are planning to expand their career orientation offerings, including more student internships and enhancing digital information offerings. This shift towards a more comprehensive and digital approach underscores the importance of education-and-self-development as a primary concern for both young individuals and apprenticeship providers.
