In the wake of the economic stagnation, the demand for skilled workers is also in decline in the trades. In August 2024, the number of reported jobs was 130,000 – six percent lower than in the same month of the previous year. A five-year comparison showed a decline of 19 percent.

Nevertheless, there is still a significant shortage of skilled workers in the trades. Currently, the BA classifies one in three trade professions as shortage occupations. The shortage of skilled workers in the trades is particularly high, for example, when it comes to plant mechanics for sanitary, heating and air-conditioning technology, in energy technology, in construction and finishing occupations, in mechatronics, electronics, automation technology and in health technology occupations.

A look at the apprenticeship market does not suggest any easing of the shortage of skilled workers in the trade professions. At 38 percent, the proportion of vacant apprenticeship places that were still to be filled in August 2024 is again higher than in all other areas of responsibility (Chamber of Industry and Commerce, for comparison: 31 percent).

Significant difficulties in filling roles exist, among other things, in apprenticeships in the butcher and bakery trades, construction and finishing occupations or in metalworking occupations.

At the moment, the prospects of obtaining an apprenticeship place in the trade industry for the apprenticeship year that has just begun are good. The employment and youth employment agencies as well as the Jobcenters are happy to provide interested parties with advice and assistance.

Wichtig:In official labour market statistics, there is no attribution of a profession or firm to the trade industry. In order to be able to make statements, the statistics of the Federal Employment Agency of Germany have constituted an aggregate of “typical” trade occupations – these are occupations that can be clearly assigned to the trade. However, there are also many occupations that can be practised both in industry and in the trade itself (e.g. electronics engineers). Moreover, only professions with vocational training, further education or university degrees are included – not assistant occupations. The trade aggregate thus represents only a subset of occurrences in the trade professions.