Number of apprenticeships at a record high – yet fewer apprenticeships completed
In the Darmstadt Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) district, the number of apprenticeship contracts signed falls short of expectations. According to the Chamber, a total of 2,704 apprenticeship contracts were concluded as of August 31, 2025 – a decrease of 2.1 percent compared to the previous year.
This puts the region in a better position than neighboring Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) districts: Offenbach reports a decline of 6.5 percent, Frankfurt of 5.0 percent, and Wiesbaden of 8.0 percent. Nevertheless, one trend persists: many apprenticeships will remain unfilled this year as well, even though the demand for skilled workers in companies remains high.
“The problem often lies in the fact that the career aspirations of young people and the requirements of companies in a region do not perfectly match,” explains Dr. Marcel Walter, Head of Vocational Training and Continuing Education at the Darmstadt Chamber of Industry and Commerce. “Both sides are called upon to become more flexible.”
The demand for skilled workers remains high
The demand for graduates of dual vocational training programs remains high. This is also evidenced by the placement rates: in 2024, they reached a historic high of 76 percent on average.
Walter advises young people to consider several options when choosing a career: "This increases the chances of finding an attractive apprenticeship." Those who specifically search for their desired profession may have to expand their search area and be willing to travel.
Still a chance for late starters
Starting an apprenticeship is possible even after September 1st. Companies with vacant positions can allow their apprentices to start later. Furthermore, those who come up through the ranks can still begin their vocational training – the Ministry of Education will only decide on the final allocation of teaching positions based on student numbers in November.
To make it easier to find available apprenticeships, the Darmstadt Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK Darmstadt) offers the digital apprenticeship exchange www.derausbildungsatlas.de
(DARMSTADT – RED/IHK)
