Overview

• More than 40% of Berlin companies do not or only irregularly register vacancies with the Federal Employment Agency, often citing poor mediation, IHK survey data show.
• In the same survey, 39% of firms reported unfilled offers and 85% observed shortcomings in applicants’ basic skills and social competencies.
• National studies by IW and the Bertelsmann Stiftung highlight large information gaps for youths on pay, application steps and job content, and report very low employer use of targeted support such as Assistierte Ausbildung.
• Business groups oppose the proposed levy and are stepping up matching efforts, listing about 7,000 openings on Ausbildung.Berlin and hosting a major after-placement drive on September 29.
• Regions report similar strains, with Mecklenburg-Vorpommern showing around 2,200 unfilled places versus 1,625 seekers and chambers urging stronger vocational orientation, better-equipped schools and digital learning, even as apprentice satisfaction remains high.