PRESS STATEMENT “A genuine apprenticeship guarantee and an apprenticeship fund provide clear prospects and are to be welcomed”

Dr. Hans-Jürgen Urban, Executive Board Member of IG Metall: 

“The final report presented today by the Commission of Inquiry on ‘Vocational Training in the Digital World of Work’ offers valuable recommendations for action.

2.16 million young people between the ages of 20 and 34 lack a vocational qualification. In light of this alarming fact, IG Metall welcomes the fact that a large majority of the Commission has spoken out in favor of a genuine training guarantee and a training fund. This would provide young people with clear prospects and create an appropriate balance between companies that offer training and those that do not. After all, currently fewer than 20 percent of companies are training the skilled workers needed. The training fund would finally hold all companies accountable.

To ensure that continuing education is accessible and attainable for all, the recommendations put forward by a large majority—including a legal right to continuing education, along with time off work and financial security—should also be implemented. In-house continuing education mentors who can directly engage with employees should also be established and supported.

A new federal government should urgently implement these recommendations to strengthen vocational training, increase the number of vocational degrees, and make continuing education more accessible.”

Further information and press photos of Dr. Hans-Jürgen Urban