Don't simply imitate others in choosing an occupation!

There are some 340 different occupations requiring vocational education and training, but boys still preferably want to be automotive mechatronics engineers and girls retail saleswomen. In the estimation of Ulrike Friedrich, vocational education and training expert at the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), this is due also to the young people's need for security.

As announced by the German Federal Statistical Office, the top 5 of most common occupations requiring vocational education and training in Germany continue to remain stable also this year: since eight years, budding retail salespersons, sales assistants, mechatronics engineers, office administrators and industrial business management assistants form the unchanged top bracket with more than 20 per cent of all apprenticeship contracts being entered into in these occupations. Variations can be observed merely as regards the order of popularity.

Of course, an important reason behind this phenomenon is also the supply of apprenticeship placements, explained Ulrike Friedrich in the "Stuttgarter Zeitung" newspaper. The greatest demand for apprentices continues to be generated by retailers, workshops in the trades, hairdressing salons, offices, medical practices and hospitals.

"Yet this ties in with a major advantage of the dual system", emphasised Friedrich, "that is, the fact that the apprenticeship placement is usually backed by a subsequent job placement and vocational training matches the actual demand."

Moreover, Friedrich continued to say, the fact that generations of pupils keep on choosing always the same occupations is due to a pronounced need for security: "The young people want a perspective." In this need, they often feel most comfortable with the vocational education and training occupation they are familiar with, for instance, because a parent or other relative is employed in that occupation.

Yet given the large spectrum of more than 340 occupations requiring vocational education and training, the DIHK expert calls upon the young people to demonstrate more courage and commitment: "They should start early and at least gather information in various apprenticeship fora."

Also, it never hurts to take a look at potential vocational education and training occupations. "40 per cent of our member businesses are willing to open their doors and offer internships", Friedrich pointed out. "Instead of imitating somebody else, the young people should much rather take the time for finding out what really suits their interests and talents."

In addition, more niche occupations would need to be presented in the context of occupational information activities - be it at school, at the employment agencies or on apprenticeship placement platforms.