Enterprises expand their apprenticeship training positions

According to the president of the German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), Hans Heinrich Driftmann, "the German apprenticeship market is in surprisingly good shape."

The Chambers registered 172,670 training contracts until the end of June 2010. That makes 1.8 per cent more new contracts compared to June 2009, in spite of a decreasing number of applicants. In 2010 there were 3 per cent less school graduates. The German Confederation of Skilled Crafts reports similar figures.

In 2009 914,353 young women and men participated in apprenticeship programmes in the German industry, trade and service sector. Apprenticeships in the German dual system usually last around three years. In 2009 329,048 young people started their apprenticeship and 313,055 passed their final exams at their local Chambers of Industry and Commerce.

The positive development with regard to new contracts reflects the enterprises' major efforts to train qualified staff for their future demands. Many companies close contracts earlier this year to tie the best trainees. Due to positive business perspectives, they even expand the number of apprenticeship training positions.