Where can job seekers find information about open positions?
The first place to go is the Employment Agency. They provide on-site counseling and help place people in apprenticeship positions. The apprenticeship market continues to be dynamic. The chances of securing an apprenticeship spot remain good for young people this summer. There are still thousands of open spots nationwide. By way of comparison: As of the cutoff date at the end of September last year, nearly 70,000 apprenticeship positions were still unfilled.
Even though the training year has already begun, young people can still start an apprenticeship. Many companies continue to actively seek applicants in order to recruit skilled workers for the future. The Employment Agency’s Career Information Center (BIZ) also advises young people on their training goals.
Where can I find an overview of open apprenticeship positions?
The “Jobsuche” portal of the Federal Employment Agency (BA) helps with the search. It also allows users to create and manage applications online. “Jobsuche” is available in the classic browser version and as a smartphone app. In addition, the BA offers thedigital self-assessment tool #Ausbildungklarmachen: for searching for apprenticeship positions and scheduling appointments for career counseling—in person or via video. In the “AzubiWelt” smartphone app, interested users can explore the variety of apprenticeship trades and find a position that suits them.
The German Association of Chambers of Industry and Commerce and the Chambers of Crafts also offer apprenticeship positions online.
Are there benefits to registering with the Employment Agency?
Yes, registering with the Employment Agency offers benefits regarding your pension. The time spent searching for an apprenticeship position can be counted as a “credited period” toward your pension insurance. This allows you to accrue pension entitlements later on. The requirement is that school leavers must be at least 17 years old and have been registered with the Employment Agency as apprenticeship seekers for at least one calendar month. It does not matter whether they have a high school diploma or receive financial assistance from the Employment Agency.
There is a restriction for those aged 25 and older: The search for an apprenticeship is only taken into account if, immediately prior to the search, the individual either completed military service or federal voluntary service, or worked and paid pension insurance contributions for that period.
What other paths lead to an available apprenticeship position?
Those who know which trade they want to learn can contact companies directly and ask about apprenticeship opportunities. Applicants should act quickly before the apprenticeship begins in September. Young people can also talk to company representatives at apprenticeship fairs and job fairs. Here, companies from the region present themselves on a set date and give interested individuals the opportunity to learn about the company and the various apprenticeship trades. An apprenticeship fair featuring only companies bound by collective bargaining agreements—that’s what the IG Metall offices in Koblenz and Neuwied are offering under the slogan “A Future with Collective Bargaining” on September 3, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sayner Hütte in Bendorf Sayn.
What should applicants look for in an apprenticeship position?
It’s important to have knowledgeable trainers who look out for the apprentices and adhere to the training curriculum. A good training company has a works council and a youth and apprentice representative. The local IG Metall chapter knows which companies offer good working conditions.
How do collective bargaining agreements benefit apprentices?
With a collective bargaining agreement, you earn significantly more each month. If an IG Metall collective bargaining agreement applies at a company, apprentices in the textile industry in Baden-Württemberg, for example, receive 1,245 euros, as shown by an analysis of the WSI collective bargaining archive. If you want to know how much you’ll earn in a particular industry, our collective bargaining tables will provide you with the information.
However: Even if your company is bound by a collective bargaining agreement, you have a legally binding right to the benefits agreed upon in the agreement only if you are a member of the union that negotiated the collective bargaining agreement.
What options are available for applicants facing challenges?
Young people who are struggling to start an apprenticeship can receive individualized support through assisted apprenticeship programs. What makes this program unique is that the employer also receives intensive support before and during the apprenticeship. An educational provider acts as a third partner in the apprenticeship, offering services to all parties involved. The support is designed flexibly and tailored to each individual’s specific needs.
Anyone who is struggling to keep up at vocational school or at the company can also apply to the employment agency for training support. The scope of the assistance is tailored to the individual. Support is provided by an educational provider, which develops a personalized support plan.
What if you haven’t secured an apprenticeship by September?
Don’t give up. The Employment Agency offers a follow-up placement service.
