The European Commission has adopted a proposal for a European Framework for Quality and Effective Apprenticeships. This initiative is part of the New Skills Agenda for Europe, launched in June 2016.
When today's school leavers are asked what they want to do once they finish school, more than half are likely to give responses such as, "I'm off to university once I have finished my upper secondary school leaving certificate" or "After intermediate secondary school, I'll do a specialist upper secondary certificate and then study for a degree."
Whilst some sectors are desperately seeking to recruit trainees, other branches are experiencing an oversupply. The biggest problem, however, is companies which do not provide training and do not offer permanent employment to qualified journeymen. Berlin has a shortage of apprenticeships, whilst Bavaria lacks applicants. Despite record levels of employment, less and less training is taking place. We take a look at the figures shortly after the beginning of the new training year.
"Let's just get on with it" seemed to be the name of the game at this year's "Day of the Craft Trades". Indeed, this was precisely the attitude adopted by Thomas Janowski when he embarked upon his own master craftsman training. He normally has lessons on Saturdays for this reason. This week, however, he is spending the day with his colleague Johannes Oks. The two are at the "Famila" Shopping Centre in Wecloy, constructing a stand at which workshop instructor Gerhard Hickl will demonstrate the skills which a joiner needs to master.
At least tongue-in-cheek, Philip Eppler is prepared to admit that the fact his employer is the main sponsor of his favourite club Borussia Dortmund was very much the icing on the cake when it came to his decision to join the company. "The main thing, however, is that Evonik is a company with operations all over the world. It can guarantee me good training in my chosen occupation in the chemical industry and also offer plenty of interesting opportunities for advancement and continuing education and training."
The State Government has joined forces with representatives from the employers' trade and industry associations and the Federal Employment Agency to sign a "Pact for Vocational Education and Training". This initiative is intended to build upon the "Alliance for strong vocational education and training in Bavaria", which was originally established in 2014.
