Heavy competition for trainees

Companies from the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt are competing at an early stage to secure future trainees. Ms. Simone Danek, Director of Vocational Education and Training, Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) Halle-Dessau says, "A real competition has emerged to attract the best high school graduates."

The impact of the dropping numbers of high school graduates becomes obvious. In the past most trainee contracts were signed in April or May. Nowadays most small and medium-sized enterprises start to actively recruit as early as January. Another way to secure suitable applicants is to pay higher wages.

According to a survey conducted by the IHK Halle-Dessau, 40 per cent of all participating companies could not find applicants for all of their vacancies. Another 12 per cent mentioned that they did not receive a single application.

The same trend can be observed in the field of crafts, "Ten years ago you had five to ten applicants for one training position. Today there are occasions when you cannot even find one applicant", says Volker Becherer, department head of vocational education and training, Chamber of Crafts Halle.

It is especially difficult to find applicants for occupations like hairdresser, baker or butcher. This is one reason why companies are willing to pay higher wages. A hairdresser earns only 154 euros gross in his first year as a trainee. Many enterprises are now willing to pay higher wages.