Almost 40 percent of all training positions in Germany remain vacant according to a study by the employer-related Institute of German Economics (IW).

The economic researchers reported on Tuesday that professions in which there is already a pronounced shortage of skilled workers are also severely affected.

The “Rheinische Post” was the first to report on the study.

The researchers reported that the number of reported vacant training positions has risen almost continuously since 2013.

Last year, a good 63,000 reported positions remained unfilled, which corresponds to almost twelve percent of the training offer.

But the problem is much bigger.

"If those jobs are also considered that are not reported to the employment agencies for a variety of reasons, this proportion is significantly higher at almost 40 percent," reported the IW.

Adjust career orientation

“The shortage of skilled workers on the labor market has continued to increase in recent years.

In more and more professions, not all vacancies can be filled,” says the study.

The economy has reacted to this and has increasingly offered training places in areas where there is a sustained shortage of skilled workers.

However, it is proving to be an increasing problem to bring together the offers and the wishes of the young people.

The experts emphasized that there are unfilled training positions in many professions and regions, while there are unplaced applicants in other professions and regions.

For example, there is a clear gap in skilled workers and numerous training positions in the sale of meat and baked goods.

But interest is low.

The number of vacancies here is greater than the number of completed training contracts.

DGB for training guarantee

In other professions - such as plumbers, catering specialists or concrete and reinforced concrete workers - it is similar.

The experts called for greater attention to be drawn to occupations with a high shortage of skilled workers and vacancies in vocational orientation.

This is also in the interest of the young people, because here they not only have a better chance of getting an apprenticeship, but also better prospects of later employment - and often better earning prospects.

The German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) made companies responsible.

"Unfilled training places are often found in occupations that have high dropout rates," said Elke Hannack, deputy chairwoman of the DGB.

Companies must create attractive conditions and also open up to applicants with a secondary school diploma.

"Support offers such as assisted training help companies, but they are still too unknown and not used enough." According to the DGB, 68,000 young people are stuck in queues between school and training.

The union demanded a training guarantee and a training contribution.