Study Finds Many Youths Can Skip Job Prep Programs and Start Apprenticeships

A survey of over 1,500 experts reveals that two-thirds of young people in Germany’s transition system could begin apprenticeships immediately with the right support.

Nearly 250,000 young people annually enter state-funded transition programs due to a lack of apprenticeships or necessary skills.
The study, commissioned by the Bertelsmann Foundation, found that 26% of these youths could start apprenticeships immediately if suitable placements were available.
An additional 36% could begin apprenticeships with professional guidance, while only 37% genuinely need transition programs.
In 2024, approximately 70,000 apprenticeship positions in Germany went unfilled, highlighting a mismatch between supply and demand.
Experts recommend increased individualized support and reforms to better align young people with available apprenticeships, addressing both youth potential and skilled labor shortages.