Positive developments in the training market, but significant regional differences remain

In 2017 there was a rise in the number of training places offered as well as in the number of young people seeking dual vocational education and training. However the number of unfilled training places rose for the eighth time in a row. By 30 September, 48,900 training positions were still vacant (an increase of 5,500 or +12.6%) - the highest levels since 1994. These are the key findings of the analyses of training market development in 2017 carried out by Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB). They are based on the BIBB survey of newly concluded training contracts as of 30 September, as well as training market statistics from the Federal Employment Agency (BA).

The fact that, for the first time since 2011, the negative trend in the demand for training positions has been reversed (an increase of 2,600 to 603,500 or +0.4% compared to the previous year) is a consequence of the increasing interest in training from refugees who have come to Germany. In 2017, the Federal Employment Agency (BA) registered 26,400 persons in the context of refugee migration who wanted to begin vocational education and training and who also already met the requirements for this. Of these, 14,700 could be included within the official figure for the demand for training places as they maintained their interest up to the cut-off date of 30 September. This was approximately 9,000 more than in the previous year.

Because the increase in the supply of training places throughout the whole of Germany (an increase of 8,500 to 572,200 or +1.5%) was even greater than the demand, there was an improvement in market conditions from the perspective of young people. Nevertheless, there continued to be significant regional differences. For example, while there were more than 118 training places on offer for every 100 training place applicants in the Bavarian employment agency regions of Schwandorf and Regensburg in 2017, the equivalent figure for Oberhausen in North Rhine-Westphalia was only 76.

The strong regional and also occupational imbalances in the training market means that the difficulties in bringing together supply and demand for training places persist. The number of newly concluded training contracts therefore did not rise as strongly across Germany in 2017 as would have been possible based on the growth in the supply of training positions offered by companies.

A total of 523,300 new training contracts were registered across Germany - this was 3,000 or 0.6% percent more than in the previous year. However, only the number of contracts concluded with young men increased (an increase of 9,500 to 325,600 or 3.0%). By contrast, the number of training contracts concluded with young women fell for the ninth time in a row (this time by 6,500 or 3.2% compared to the previous year). The figure for women of 197,600 fell below the 200,000 mark for the first time.

Figures differentiated by federal state, region, training sector and occupation as well as a specialist article on training market development in 2017 is available on the BIBB website. In addition to its detailed range of charts, the BIBB is also making use of new presentation tools. Interactive regional maps presenting the key training market data and indicators are being provided this year for the first time. These illustrate regional differences graphically for interested users in the areas of policy making, science and practice. The underlying values can be displayed at any time via the “mouseover effect”.

Further information, statistics, charts and graphics are available on the BIBB website at www.bibb.de/naa309-2017 (German only) and also in the specialist article “A slight increase in supply and demand - but once again more unfilled places. The development of the education and training market in 2017” at www.bibb.de/ausbildungsmarkt2017 (German only).

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