Vacant training positions number in the thousands across the South West region remain unfilled
In a recent statement, Martina Musati, head of the Regional Directorate Baden-Württemberg, emphasized the importance of starting an apprenticeship for future prospects. With over 34,000 open training positions in the southwest as of May, there are ample opportunities for young people to kick-start their careers.
However, the current economic climate has resulted in a decrease in available training positions, with the number reported in May being approximately 67,000, a decrease from the previous two years. Nevertheless, the training market is largely being carried by applicants with foreign passports, a trend that has seen an increase of over 16% compared to the previous year.
Many of these foreign applicants are refugees, and without them, the number of applicants would decrease significantly. As of now, the number of applicants has risen to around 46,300, with over 12,400 having foreign passports.
Martina Musati encourages employers to give a chance to applicants with starting difficulties, as they may become specialists for the company in the future. The "Supported Apprenticeship" program in Germany, run by the Federal Employment Agency, aims to help these young people overcome initial difficulties to successfully complete apprenticeships and obtain recognized vocational qualifications.
This program offers a mentoring system (Berufseinstiegsbegleitung), where young people at risk of school dropout, those searching for apprenticeships, or in the initial months of training receive individualized support, including help with personal problems affecting their progress. The program also integrates practical and theoretical training, allowing apprentices to receive hands-on workplace experience alongside classroom education, gaining real-world skills overseen by experienced mentors.
Preparation programs (Berufsvorbereitende Bildungsmaßnahme) are also part of the program, designed to link company-based traineeships with practical and theoretical instruction, especially for those needing extra support before starting apprenticeships. This program supports young people in overcoming initial difficulties to successfully complete apprenticeships and obtain recognized vocational qualifications, thereby facilitating smoother transition into Germany’s skilled labor market.
Despite the challenges, an apprenticeship is considered the foundation for a stable career path, not just in Stuttgart, but generally. With the "Supported Apprenticeship" as a promotion instrument of the employment agency, there are still plenty of training opportunities available in Stuttgart for those who are willing to seize them.
- Martina Musati encourages the implementation of Economic and social policy, such as the "Supported Apprenticeship" program, to assist young people in their education-and-self-development, including career-development and personal-growth, by overcoming initial difficulties and successfully completing apprenticeships.
- The implementation of preparation programs, like the Berufsvorbereitende Bildungsmassnahme, in conjunction with the "Supported Apprenticeship" program, plays a crucial role in fostering education-and-self-development, facilitating personal-growth and career-development opportunities for those who need extra support, ultimately contributing to a stable and prosperous future.
