Overview

• A DIHK online survey of nearly 15,000 companies found that 48% of firms could not fill all apprenticeship positions in the last training year.
• Almost three quarters of respondents reported receiving no suitable applications, citing widespread gaps in reliability, discipline, motivation and German language skills.
• Industry, transport, construction and trade sectors faced the greatest difficulties; North Rhine-Westphalia saw 106 applicants per 100 slots and Lower Saxony craft firms reported over 3,500 vacancies.
• Two thirds of training companies still retain all their apprentices after completion, underscoring the value placed on in-house skilled labour.
• DIHK leaders are urging the federal government to strengthen youth employment agencies, expand data-driven applicant matching and enhance vocational-school support to address the persistent shortfall.