Berlin, 26 October 2021: Despite the Corona pandemic, companies in trade and industry, the skilled trades and the liberal professions have once again signed more new training contracts. The intensive commitment of all parties involved was able to make up for missing internships and vocational orientation from the first half of the year. In view of the demographic development in Germany, the promotion of young talent is a top priority for companies.

Companies in industry and commerce, the skilled trades and the liberal professions remain strongly committed to training young people. Despite the Corona pandemic, companies signed 435,383 training contracts (as of 30 September). The number of contracts concluded by enterprises in the three economic sectors increased by a total of 2.0 per cent over the previous year. With their high willingness to provide training, companies and enterprises in Germany are making important investments in order to be able to tackle the upcoming tasks of the future, such as digitalisation, sustainability, energy efficiency and mobility. The future Federal Government must therefore strengthen vocational education and training - by expanding career guidance and by providing greater support for the international exchange of trainees and impetus for better equipping vocational schools in the digital world.

The challenges for a future Federal Government remain great - and not only because of the pandemic: On the one hand, companies and enterprises in almost all sectors and regions are still offering many thousands of training places and, at the same time, there is a considerable decline in the number of training applicants. This means that for the 14th year in a row, there are more unfilled training places than unplaced applicants. In order to shape Germany as a business location, we urgently need professionally qualified skilled workers.

Chambers of Commerce and Industry saw 260,864 new apprenticeship contracts signed by the end of September 2021, up 1,027 or 0.4 percent from the previous year.

In the skilled trades, 127,015 new training contracts were registered by the end of September, 3,385 or 2.7 per cent more than in the previous year.

In the area of liberal professions, 47,504 new training contracts were concluded by the end of September. This is an increase of 4,264 contracts or 9.9 per cent.

Dr. Rainer Dulger, President of the Confederation of German Employers' Associations (BDA):
"The trend on the training market makes me confident. The important message now is: it is not too late to sign a contract for the 2021/2022 training year. Because even after the official start of the training year, numerous companies are still looking forward to receiving applicants for their vacant training positions. That is why I would like to encourage all young people to still seize their opportunities for training."

Friedemann Schmidt, President of the Federal Association of Liberal Professions (BFB):
"The joint effort for young people was successful. This is proven by the latest figures, they are a strong sign especially in view of the increasingly noticeable shortage of skilled workers and encourage everyone - the trainees and the trainers, the chambers and associations. We liberal professions also offer young people more than ever reliable prospects in attractive professions with and for people in our practices, law firms, offices and pharmacies."

Peter Adrian, President of the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK):
"Chambers and associations have advertised to school leavers in the summer with a variety of campaigns. My appeal to all young people who are still undecided is: We need you in the companies. That's why you should still get in touch with us now."

Hans Peter Wollseifer, President of the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (ZDH):
"Our companies still offer thousands of training opportunities. This shows: The skilled crafts enterprises take on great responsibility even in difficult times. The skilled crafts sector offers a wide range of development and career opportunities in over 130 occupations. With higher vocational training and the master craftsman's diploma, these career opportunities can lead to owning one's own business. The chambers and guilds of skilled crafts can help with their training advice, even at short notice, to start training this year."

Together with the other alliance partners, the business community will continue its efforts to show school leavers the opportunities available to them in in-company training. This is about every single trainee: The chances of starting training this year remain good. Young people who need support in their search should contact their local employment agency, chamber of industry and commerce, chamber of crafts or chamber of liberal professions.

>> Press release as PDF download