Shortage of apprentices: Why can't I still find a job?

Created: 06/23/2022, 11:22 am

Applications are not always crowned with success: if your dream job doesn't work out, prospective trainees have to be able to make compromises.

© Christin Klose/dpa-tmn

A considerable number of companies are desperately looking for trainees.

On the other hand, applicants get nothing.

Why is that?

And can the problem be solved?

Nuremberg – The hospitality industry, crafts, the construction industry: many sectors are looking for trainees because their positions cannot be filled.

Young people who can't find an apprenticeship place ask themselves: How can it actually be?

This is partly due to the fact that the wishes and preferences of young people do not always match the job profiles and qualification requirements of companies, says Prof. Bernd Fitzenberger, Director of the Institute for Labor Market and Occupational Research (IAB) in Nuremberg.

Bernd Fitzenberger is director of the Institute for Labor Market and Vocational Research (IAB) in Nuremberg.

© Wolfram Murr, Photofabrik/ IAB/dpa-tmn

There are numerous professions in which the number of applicants far exceeds the number of positions.

According to the labor market expert, certain professions have been very popular for years.

This includes, for example, training in the automotive sector, but also training in animal care and artistic-creative professions such as carpenters, media designers or interior decorators.

Little interest in professions with many vacancies

"These are professions that also reflect social and societal preferences that have a high level of recognition in society." Many young people could imagine working in such a profession if they had the chance.

However, there are often not enough jobs in these professions across the country.

In other professions, on the other hand, companies have been finding it very difficult to fill vacancies for years.

This has been exacerbated by the pandemic.

"These are jobs in the sale of meat and baked goods, for example, although at the same time there are many applicants who have a low school diploma and would be suitable for these jobs," says Fitzenberger.

However, young people are simply less interested in these professions than there are training places on offer.

The same effect can be seen to some extent in skilled trades, for construction jobs and, since the pandemic, especially for jobs in hotels and restaurants.

Most young people still live with their parents

The matching problems on the training market are not least related to the fact that trainees are or can be somewhat less mobile.

“Young people are less likely to be willing to move to start an apprenticeship.

Because in this phase of life, many young people still live with their parents, not least for financial reasons.”

For most young people, the range of training places in the catchment area of ​​their place of residence is relevant.

There are regions where there are very few positions for apprentices, while elsewhere there are many more positions than applicants.

"But that doesn't mean that large numbers of young people are moving from regions where there is a surplus of applicants to the region with a surplus of jobs," the IAB director clarifies.

Popular profession - compromises are necessary

How could the fit problems be solved?

Anyone who really wants to work in a very popular profession, such as animal care, "will have to make some compromises," says Fitzenberger.

This can also mean moving.

At the same time, the labor market offers many companies desperately looking for young people.

"They are then often willing to adapt more to the wishes of the young people."

Bernd Fitzenberger recommends doing internships in any case and also thinking about pre-employment measures.

“To simply see what the job market has to offer in addition to what you ideally imagine as your dream job.

You can definitely experience positive surprises there.”

Give alternative professions a chance

Due to the pandemic and the upheavals on the job market, many young people are already very insecure about what they actually want to do after school and find it difficult to formulate a dream job.

"If you give the wide range of professions in which there is a surplus of jobs a chance and get a taste of it, you might find something that suits your individual interests more than you expected."

It is also part of career orientation that young people develop realistic career aspirations - i.e. career aspirations that are matched by vacancies on the local job market.

At the same time, according to Fitzenberger, employers must be increasingly open to giving young people a chance who may not meet all the requirements for a job.

For this it is necessary, for example, to use the support packages offered by the Federal Employment Agency.

"The topic of inclusion is also in demand."

Need to catch up in career orientation

Last but not least, there is a need to catch up in the matching process.

“Companies need to go back to schools more, be active in addressing young people and encourage young people to take an interest in this job and apply for it.”

Hotels and restaurants are urgently looking for young people - but young people are often interested in other jobs.

© Bernd Weißbrod/dpa/dpa-tmn

According to Fitzenberger, a comparatively large number of positions will probably remain vacant in the coming training year - in those professions where the need is particularly high.

"The dual training will have to become more attractive and show their career prospects - otherwise the run of young people with good school qualifications in the direction of academic or full-time school training will increase." dpa