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Press release

Top 10 training occupations in 2017

BIBB ranking list of newly concluded dual training contracts is published

11/2018 | Bonn, 07.03.2018

Office manager again occupied top position in the ranking list of newly concluded contracts in dual training occupations in 2017. Around 28,700 young women and men across Germany signed a new training contract in this occupation. This is one of the results to emerge from a survey of newly concluded training contracts as of 30 September 2017 conducted by the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB). In 2017, over a third of all new training contracts were once more concluded in just ten occupations. A shift has, however, occurred amongst the top 10 occupations compared to 2016. Information technology specialist is a new entry at number nine in the list following just over 13,000 newly concluded contracts. This represents a rise of almost 1,000 over the previous year.

The number of newly concluded contracts in the occupation of information technology specialists has been steadily increasing since 2012. This shows the need of trade and industry for well-trained IT specialists against the background of the digitalisation of the world of work. In 2017, this was once again a training programme that was predominantly chosen by men. The proportion of women commencing training in the occupation was below 8 percent.

Most training contracts concluded with female trainees during 2017 were in commercial occupations. Office manager was the most popular occupation for women, followed by medical specialist and dental specialist in second and third place respectively. In these latter two occupations, the proportion of new male trainees was in each case under 3 percent. Vehicle mechatronics technician was the number one occupation embarked upon by men. Electronics technician was in second place, whilst information technology specialist climbed three places to claim the number three position.

In general terms, consideration needs to be given to the fact that the ranking list of newly concluded training contracts does not permit any conclusions to be drawn with regard to young people’s “favourite” training occupations. Training decisions always need to be viewed in conjunction with the existing supply of training places.

The results indicate a highly significant gender dominance in many occupations. Ideas regarding occupational suitability are still closely linked with stereotypical gender roles. Even when embarking upon the vocational orientation process, young people tend to concentrate upon a small number of occupations and thus severely restrict their career opportunities. A new initiative called “Cliché Free” [Initiative Klischeefrei], whose service agency is based at BIBB, is addressing the division of occupations according to gender. The initiative comprises an alliance of representatives from the fields of education, policy making, trade and industry and research, and has set itself the task of removing the hackneyed gender element from the process of selecting an occupation or course of higher education study. The aim is that both boys and girls should consider the broad range of occupations on offer and pursue an option which suits their individual personality and life planning. The patron of the initiative is Elke Büdenbender, wife of the German President.

Further information (German only)

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