Hamburg's trainees: record low and alarm mood in the trades!

Hamburg's trainees: record low and alarm mood in the trades!

The number of trainees in Hamburg has reached a worrying low. In the current training year 2024/2025, only 32,943 young people started training in the Hanseatic city, which is the lowest level in almost 25 years. Compared to the year 2000/2001 with 34,865 trainees, this is a decrease of around 5,500 training places. The highest level was reached in the 2008/2009 training year with 39,604 trainees, which corresponds to a decrease of almost 17 percent. This development causes concern, especially in the context of the ongoing labor shortage, as emphasized by CDU expert David Erkalp, who views the situation critically and calls for a change in mentality in politics.

A key reason for the decline in training numbers appears to be that more and more young people are choosing to go to university. The number of students in Hamburg has almost doubled since the turn of the millennium and stands at 121,397 at around 30 universities in the 2024/2025 winter semester. The CDU is therefore calling for increased support measures for training in the skilled trades, including the establishment of dormitories for trainees and free master craftsman examinations. Erkalp suggests organizing a “Craft Day” at schools to promote internships in craft businesses.

Current training market situation

In 2024, around 17,220 young people, including around 11,700 beginners in dual vocational training, began their training. The training players in the Hamburg market and the employment agency recently held an annual press conference. Sönke Fock, the chairman of the Hamburg Employment Agency, reported 10,589 registered training positions, which corresponds to the previous year's level. At the same time, the number of registered applicants rose to 7,038, which represents an increase of 12.7 percent compared to the previous year. However, despite this high number, many training positions remain unfilled because young people find certain professions unattractive or are not considered suitable based on their school performance.

Education Senator Ksenija Bekeris emphasized the importance of vocational training for social participation. Hamburg schools offer numerous support measures such as coaching, mentoring and language support for trainees. The report by Sascha Schneider, Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, points out the need to attract more people to dual training, now that the new training contracts have been stabilized.

Statistical analysis of training numbers

The challenges of the shortage of skilled workers and the importance of qualified specialists for the energy transition were also highlighted by Michael Lübke, representative of Evos Hamburg GmbH. Tanja Chawla from the DGB Hamburg also criticized the low training rate in Hamburg and called for permanent employment for trainees. The figures make it clear that, despite training contracts stabilizing, there is an urgent need for action to strengthen the attractiveness and quality of vocational training in Hamburg.

In view of these developments, the need for action in politics and business is obvious. A combination of more financial incentives, more extensive information about the possibilities of dual training and greater involvement of schools in career guidance could help to sustainably improve the situation.

For further information on training figures and developments on the Hamburg training market, visit Borken newspaper and HWK Hamburg.