Frankfurt am Main – Young people in particular are feeling the impact of insufficient investment by companies and policymakers in the future of industry in Germany: In 2024, a total of 2,500 fewer young people were able to sign an apprenticeship contract than in the previous year. Across all sectors and nationwide, 2024 marked the first time in years that there were more young people without apprenticeship placements—who turned to employment agencies in search of opportunities—than there were open apprenticeship positions.
In the professions that are important to them, the industrial union even recorded 3,600 fewer new apprentices. By comparison, in 2019, 10,000 more young people received an apprenticeship contract than today. These are the findings of IG Metall’s study “Apprenticeship Report 2024.”
Little or no vocational training is “economic suicide”
IG Metall Executive Board member Hans-Jürgen Urban warns of a negative trend: “We are witnessing a dangerous mix of stalled industrial policy and a lack of strategic foresight within companies. The apprenticeship market remains at a low level. Companies are investing too little in themselves and too little in the skilled workers of the future. When companies train fewer young people—or none at all—it’s economic suicide. And they’re robbing young people of their career prospects. A flawed industrial policy also fuels a frustrated young generation.”
Within IG Metall’s vocational sector, the number of new apprenticeship contracts has dropped significantly in IT professions (down 1,600) and in business and logistics (down 2,500), while numbers in metalworking, electrical, and engineering professions have stagnated. Positive trends continue in skilled trades (+612).
Companies Need Product and Workforce Strategies
Urban: “Companies must finally develop an active product and human resources strategy. Politicians must support this through an active industrial policy for the country.” The IG Metall Executive Board is calling on the next federal government to guarantee young people access to a fully qualifying initial vocational training program.
IG Metall criticizes the lack of commitment on the part of the vast majority of companies: Only 19 percent of all companies still train young people, meaning four-fifths do not. At the same time, the number of apprentices in companies is declining relative to the total number of employees: Currently, in IG Metall’s sectors, there are just over 4 apprentices per 100 employees in companies that provide training. In 2019, the figure was 5 apprentices per 100 employees.
Note: You can download IG Metall’s “2024 Apprenticeship Report” here.
