The situation on the training market in Germany is worsening. According to the Federal Employment Agency (BA) in Nuremberg, 385,000 young people have applied for apprenticeships nationwide, 32,000 fewer than a year ago. In contrast, the training companies reported 468,000 vacant apprenticeship positions. Despite the significant overhang, 158,000 young women and men are still not provided with an apprenticeship place - although there are actually more than enough apprenticeship places. Companies and potential trainees find it difficult to come together. The corona crisis has exacerbated this.

Federal Education Minister Anja Karliczek (CDU) spoke of a "warning sign".

"We need well-trained specialists for the economic upswing after the corona pandemic," she told the German Press Agency in Berlin.

BA CEO Detlef Scheele said in Nuremberg that training “remains our problem child”.

"There is light and shadow."

In the pre-Corona year 2019, around 148,000 interested parties were already provided with an apprenticeship position in July.

Now there are just 110,000.

The reasons are complex.

Good opportunities in the building trade

Applicants who are interested in training in tourism, gastronomy or cosmetics are likely to be less successful. According to BA information, the corona crisis has left its mark here. Tax consultancies and banks are also looking for fewer new recruits. On the other hand, there are particularly good opportunities in the building trade, in the health sector or with transport companies. The Federal Agency has recorded an increase in vacant apprenticeships.

Employer President Rainer Dulger spoke of an “urgent need for skilled workers and very good career opportunities” with a view to the skilled trades.

A successor for the takeover would be sought there for up to 125,000 companies in the next five years, he told the dpa.

Overall, Dulger describes the chance of getting an apprenticeship position as "very good".

"There are around five apprenticeships for every four applicants."

But this is where the old problem comes into play: young talent and companies often do not find each other.

Because internships and career fairs were canceled and career counselors were unable to go to schools, this has become even more severe in the past year and a half.

It is now important to give career orientation a new tailwind, said Dulger.

But union representatives also see the companies themselves as having an obligation to do more on the supply side.

Only just under 20 percent of the companies provided training, but 100 percent benefited from the trained specialists, said the deputy chairman of the German Federation of Trade Unions (DGB), Elke Hannack.

"Yes, training is expensive - but employers cannot complain about a lack of skilled workers on the one hand and then train less and less themselves." She called for financial compensation through a training levy between companies that train and those that do not.

Up to 6000 euros bonus for businesses

In order to cushion the effects of the Corona crisis, the federal government issued so-called trainee bonuses for companies: Those who continue to train or even more than before despite economic problems receive a bonus of up to 6,000 euros per training contract.

Bonuses are also available for companies that take on trainees from other companies that have gotten into trouble.

The federal government, the federal states, business associations and trade unions are also promoting, together with an action program “Summer of Vocational Training”, that young people choose an apprenticeship.

There are various information and advice events on the subject at federal, state and regional level, such as online seminars for parents so that they can better support their children in their search.

There are “excellent opportunities for advancement after an apprenticeship”, said Karliczek for the vocational training.

"The value of vocational training and the future prospects of vocational training are increasing significantly," says employer president Dulger with certainty.

Even after completing vocational training, there are many career opportunities.

Further training to become a master craftsman, a business economist, a specialist clerk or a businessman and many other qualifications are possible.

This is funded with the so-called advancement student loan.

Anyone who has completed vocational training and has a few years of professional experience can also study later.

The rules for this vary depending on the federal state.