Frankfurt am Main – Only one in five companies (19.1%) still trains young professionals in Germany. And even those who provide training do so to a limited extent. Not even five percent of the employees in training companies are trainees. With a training rate of just 4.3 percent, employers in IG Metall’s sectors are actually below average. There are 4.8 million employees followed by only 209,000 trainees. This is the result of the IG Metall training balance for 2023.
Hans-Jürgen Urban, IG Metall board member responsible for education and qualification policy, says: “The commitment of employers to their own future and that of young people is sobering. Anyone who doesn’t train or barely trains should not complain about a problem with skilled workers. Employers should finally switch from complaining mode to action mode. The educational boycott must come to an end.”
The most popular professions
In the IG Metall area, there were still the most new training contracts in skilled trades: 71,300 trainees signed a new contract in 2023 – 2 percent more compared to the pre-crisis level in 2019. The number of new contracts in IT professions also rose by 11 percent to 25,600 compared to pre-Corona. The remaining professions contribute to an overall minus in the training balance: merchants and logistics (48,900 contracts, minus 10 percent), metal and electrical professions (42,700 contracts, minus 9 percent), 2-year professions such as machine operator or warehouse clerk *in (12,600 contracts, down 5 percent) and construction professions (3,600 contracts, down 5 percent).
Fitting problems are increasing
For the second time in a row, the number of unfilled training positions is higher than the number of applicants still looking. At the same time, the number of uncared for young people increased, making the situation worse. In terms of the economy as a whole, last year there were 73,400 unfilled training places compared to 63,700 unprovided and looking young people. All learning levels are represented (secondary school diploma: 30%; secondary school: 34%; (technical) high school diploma: 25%, without qualification: 2%). In addition, there are 2.6 million young people between the ages of 20 and 34 who do not have a professional qualification.
According to IG Metall, these so-called fit problems on the training market are due to a lack of career orientation during and after school, as well as uneven regional distribution and unattractive training offers from companies. In addition, there is often a rigid hiring practice with too high an expectation of formal educational qualifications.
Better transition management and training levy
IG Metall board member Urban: “The training market and, above all, young people now need a package of measures: a broader range of qualified and attractive training positions, systematic information and enthusiasm among young people for the entire range of careers through youth career agencies.” The core, however, remains responsibility of companies: “Anyone who trains must do so under good conditions. Anyone who doesn’t train has to pay.” In addition to systematic transition management between school and work, IG Metall is therefore calling for statutory levy financing. A tax on non-training companies is intended to support training companies.
Editorial note: IG Metall bases its investigation on figures from the Federal Employment Agency and the Federal Institute for Vocational Training. You can find IG Metall’s entire 2023 training balance here.