We are committed to ensuring good training and working conditions. During your apprenticeship, you’ll benefit from our collective achievements—such as regular increases in apprenticeship stipends and salaries, more vacation time, shorter work hours, and collective bargaining agreements guaranteeing permanent employment after your apprenticeship.
To support young employees, we’re here to answer any questions you have about your apprenticeship: How much vacation time am I entitled to? How does vocational school work? What happens if I’m sick? What about overtime? Who can help me if my trainer isn’t taking proper care of me? Does my company have a policy for permanent employment after the apprenticeship?
Our on-site experts have the answers. You can get advice at more than 150 local offices nationwide: youth secretaries, local youth committees, and company representatives such as union representatives form a strong and reliable network. You can find your local IG Metall office here.
A Reliable Partner in Case of Disputes
Even if problems arise—for example, if an employer issues a warning for misconduct during your apprenticeship—affected IG Metall members should seek advice from the youth and apprentice representatives, the works council, or the relevant local office. Through the DGB, young metalworkers receive free legal advice and representation in court as part of legal protection. If you encounter problems at work, you can rely on the services offered at our local offices.
We also offer an educational program specifically tailored to the interests of young workers. For those who want to get actively involved—whether to advocate for their interests at work, promote democratic co-determination, or fight for social justice—we provide the necessary knowledge through seminars. The costs for these seminars can be covered by IG Metall in coordination with your local office; simply speak with the relevant youth secretary. More information on the youth education program is available here.
Only together are we strong
Do you want to play a part in achieving good training and working conditions? We’re counting on you—only together are we strong. After all, the formula is simple: The more workers who join a union like IG Metall, the better it can advance its members’ interests. And there are plenty of opportunities to have a say—in the youth and apprentice representative bodies at your workplace, in working groups, and in local IG Metall youth committees.
