"A Glaring Skills Gap" - Why Millions of Young People in Germany Aren't Training for High-Demand Jobs, Explained
Millions of young Germans Remain Outside Education System
By Carl Jones
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Germany is struggling with a staggering shortage of skilled workers in various industries, especially when it comes to vocational training. The number of young people without proper training has been on the rise for years, raising serious concerns about the country's workforce. But what's the root cause, and can it be fixed? Here's an unfiltered look at the issue.
Over 1.6 million 20 to 34-year-olds lacked vocational training last year, according to the Institute for Employment Research (IAB). And every year, that number grows - a whopping 460,000 more young people without qualifications have been added since 2009. The Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) pushes that number even higher by including all young adults within this age group, resulting in a staggering 2.8 million without training.
This constitutes a huge problem given the desperate need for specialists across numerous sectors. Germany faces a shortage of over 530,000 qualified workers on average, and this gap will widen to over 730,000 by 2027, according to the Institute of the German Economy (IW).
Struggling in School
IAB professor Enzo Weber points out the alarming trends in an ntv podcast, "Wieder was gelernt." "There are bottlenecks across the social sector, in nursing, in the health sector, in the technical sector, and in IT. Moreover, digitization, the use of AI, and the shift towards green technologies require specialists and highly qualified people." Weber attributes this problem, in part, to poor performance in school. Every year, tens of thousands of young people complete school without a degree. Last year alone, 47,500 didn't even earn a main school leaving certificate - around six percent of all students, according to the Federal Statistical Office.
One contributing factor is immigration, as nearly 45 percent of 20 to 34-year-old refugees from asylum countries like Syria or Afghanistan have no vocational training, according to the IAB. The problem isn't unique to immigrants, though - the proportion among young people from other EU countries and German nationals has also increased, though not as steeply.
"This does not mean that immigrants are less educated," Weber explains, "but rather that many people come from completely different education systems to Germany. Our vocational training is unique. Many immigrants cannot fully utilize their potential in the German labor market, work below their abilities."
Choosing Instant Gratification
Another reason for the apprentice shortage is that some young people opt to work straight out of school, often in unskilled helper jobs. While this provides immediate income, it bypasses the longer, more structured training opportunities essential for many industries. The wage may be higher in the short term - also because the minimum wage has risen - but this will not always be the case, according to Weber.
To counteract this, he suggests expanding flexible, low-threshold training opportunities that allow individuals to complete courses parallel to their jobs and achieve final qualifications after a few years through a dual study program.
Miscommunication in the Job Market
"Companies and young people often communicate past each other in the search for training places," says Bertelsmann training expert Hellen Renk in the ntv podcast. Companies, she points out, tend to advertise on Facebook while young people prefer YouTube, WhatsApp, and TikTok. This miscommunication contributes to over 73,000 unfilled training positions in 2023, according to the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK).
The solution, according to experts, is improved online communication on platforms young people frequent and more extensive career guidance and career orientation. Weber emphasizes the importance of practical experiences like company visits, internships, and job shadowing.
"Wieder was gelernt" is an enlightening podcast for the curious: exploring such topics asWhich European agricultural stronghold is drying up? What claims does Donald Trump and the USA have on Greenland? Learn three times a week by tuning in on the ntv app, RTL, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or via the RSS feed for other podcast apps. Drop us a line at [email protected] if you have a question.
*Data ProtectionSource: ntv.de
- Institute of the German Economy Cologne
- Bertelsmann Foundation
- Social Networks
- TikTok
- YouTube
- Apprentices
- Universities
- Immigration
- Application
- School
- Profession
- IAB
- Demographics
- Technology
- Earnings
- Training
Enrichment Data:
- Causes of the Apprentice Shortage: Numerous factors contribute to the shortage, including:
- Aging workforce and low fertility rates leading to a shrinking labor force.
- Rapid technological advancement requiring updated skills.
- Attraction to alternative sectors with more lucrative opportunities.
- Proposed Solutions: The German government is implementing several strategies to combat the shortage:
- Increased apprenticeship pay starting in 2023.
- Attracting skilled workers from abroad through visa reforms and recognition of foreign qualifications.
- Enhancing programs to integrate foreign workers into the German job market.
- Updating lists of skilled professions to expand the scope of training specialists.
- Top Earning Vocational Trades: Some vocational trades offer significantly higher earnings in the long term, such as technical research and development specialists, with some even surpassing university graduates' salaries.
Community aid is being explored as a potential solution to address the skills gap, particularly in providing resources for vocational training. The lack of funds is a significant barrier for many young people who wish to pursue vocational training, and community aid can help fill this gap.
The expansion of education and self-development programs, including vocational training, is crucial in addressing the general news issue of a growing skills gap in Germany. With millions of young people without proper training, investing in education and vocational training can help alleviate the desperate need for specialists across various sectors and help the country's workforce compete effectively in the global market.
