Last year, the corona crisis caused a severe slump in the training market.

Compared to 2019, 11 percent fewer young people started vocational training.

The situation has now improved somewhat, but has not yet returned to normal.

This is shown by a current evaluation of the major trade and chamber associations at the beginning of the new training year.

However, they point out, there are still many apprenticeship positions available.

Young people could still start the training year 2021/22 now.

Dietrich Creutzburg

Business correspondent in Berlin.

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By the end of September, a total of around 435,000 young people had signed new training contracts in industry, trade, craft and the liberal professions, as the analysis shows.

That is 2 percent more than a year ago.

The freelance professions, such as doctors, architects and tax consultants, saw the strongest growth in percentage terms: by the end of September, 47,504 prospective apprentices had started training there, 4,264 or 9.9 percent more than in the previous year.

"We need you in the factories"

The development in the large area of ​​the Chambers of Commerce and Industry (IHK), which also includes sectors such as the hospitality industry, which was severely affected by contact bans in the pandemic, was less dynamic.

A total of 260,864 new contracts were concluded there, 1,027 or 0.4 percent more than in the previous year.

There are a further 127,015 new contracts in the skilled trades, 3385 or 2.7 percent more than before.

The fact that the recovery has not been stronger so far is also explained by the fact that the important phase of apprenticeship placement in the spring was still overshadowed by the lockdown.

There was therefore less career advice in schools, fewer training fairs and fewer internships.

This is one of the reasons why the associations are now still relying heavily on so-called post-mediation.

Freelance professions in demand

"The important message now is: It is not too late to sign a contract for the 2021/2022 training year," said employer president Rainer Dulger.

Likewise Peter Adrian, President of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) - his appeal to young people: “We need you in the companies.

Therefore, get in touch with us now. "

According to the craftsman's president, the situation is similar in the 130 skilled trades.

Friedemann Schmidt, the new President of the Federal Association of Liberal Professions (BFB), was particularly pleased.

The great interest in practices, law firms, offices and pharmacies is an encouraging sign “especially in view of the increasingly noticeable shortage of skilled workers”.