Number of apprenticeships at record high – yet fewer apprenticeships completed
In the Darmstadt Chamber of Industry and Commerce district, the number of completed apprenticeships is falling short of expectations. According to the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, a total of 2,704 apprenticeships were concluded as of August 31, 2025 – a decrease of 2.1 percent compared to the previous year.
This puts the region even better than neighboring Chamber of Industry and Commerce districts: Offenbach reported a decline of 6.5 percent, Frankfurt 5.0 percent, and Wiesbaden 8.0 percent. Nevertheless, a trend persists: many apprenticeships will remain unfilled this year, even though 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 don't perfectly match," explains Dr. Marcel Walter, Head of Training and Continuing Education at the Darmstadt Chamber of Industry and Commerce. "This calls for both sides to become more flexible."
Demand for skilled workers remains high
Demand for graduates of dual training programs remains high. This is also reflected in the employment rates: in 2024, they reached an all-time 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 are specifically looking for their dream job may need to expand their area and be willing to travel.
Still chances for late starters
Training can also begin after September 1st. Companies with vacant positions can let their apprentices start later. Those who are offered a position later also have the option of still entering vocational schools – the Ministry of Education will not decide on the final allocation of teaching positions based on student numbers until November.
To make it easier to find available training places, the Darmstadt Chamber of Industry and Commerce offers the digital apprenticeship exchange www.derausbildungsatlas.de
(Darmstadt - Red/IHK)
