Industry with a catalog of requirements
Crafts do not want to leave any apprenticeship positions unfilled
March 16, 2024, 1:33 p.m
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He doesn’t know of any industry that says things are going well in Germany, complains Germany’s top craftsman and gets started: Too much bureaucracy, expensive energy, dilapidated education centers. When it comes to the shortage of skilled workers, association president Dittrich says he will roll up his sleeves. There should not be another 20,000 unfilled apprenticeships.
The craft sector wants to fill more apprenticeships this year than last year. “By November 2023, we were able to conclude 133,700 new training contracts in the trades, but around 20,000 training positions remained unfilled,” said trades president Jörg Dittrich to the “Rheinische Post”. The aim is “that no training position remains unfilled this year”. At the same time, he called for a reduction in bureaucracy and more efforts to attract skilled workers domestically.
The federal and state governments must “finally treat vocational and academic education equally and provide them with the same financial resources,” demanded the President of the Central Association of German Crafts (ZDH). “While universities and colleges have received noticeably higher financial support in recent years, every year we have to fight for small amounts of millions for the renovation and technological equipment of our vocational training centers.”
To reduce bureaucracy in companies, Dittrich called for a longer suspension of documentation requirements. “My suggestion would be: Simply for once – let’s say for a limited period of 24 months – completely waive many documentation and proof requirements. Then we can see whether things get out of hand without them,” he said.
“I no longer know of any economic sector that says things are going well in Germany,” added the craft president. “We must ensure reliable and affordable energy, mobilize skilled workers, advance digitalization and reduce bureaucracy,” he demanded. In order to secure skilled workers, more potential needs to be tapped domestically. Dittrich pointed out that around 50,000 young people in this country leave school every year without a qualification.