The motto of this year’s campaign week from 24th until 28th March 2025 is “Vocational training in focus - achieving success together!”. This year, the chances of applicants finding a vocational training position or an apprenticeship aren’t bad. 397,000 vocational training positions were reported to the federal employment agencies by organisations and companies between October 2024 and February 2025. At the same time, there were 294,000 applicants, which is 9,000 more than last year.
As in previous years, a lot more vacancies were reported than applicants. At the end of February, there were approximately 20,000 fewer vocational training positions on offer than in the previous year, however.
During Vocational Training Week, many companies throughout Germany open their doors to school pupils and those interested in embarking on an apprenticeship and provide information about the vocational training they offer. Young people and their parents can learn about vocational training occupations, forge contact with companies on location and get valuable tips on their future career.
The topics covered by the individual events, of which approximately 300 are taking place across Germany, are wide-ranging. They include career-oriented impulse events such as “Berufe für eine Grüne Zukunft” (careers for a green future) or the career choices fair “Beruf Konkret”, through to practical tips such as “Bewerbungsmappencheck” (check your application) and “Finde dein Wunschpraktikum” (find your dream internship). During the “Nacht der Ausbildung” (vocational training evening) in Mülheim an der Ruhr, future apprentices get to visit companies on a bus tour. The “Nacht der unbekannten Berufe” (unknown professions evening) in Freiburg is an opportunity to learn about vocational training occupations many people haven’t heard of. In Iserlohn and Lüdenscheid, employers will be chatting to potential apprentices at a computer gaming event.
During the week of the campaign, the federal employment agencies, Jobcenters, careers advice centres for young people and their partners in the vocational training market highlight the many different apprenticeships that are available in the 328 accredited vocational training occupations: careers advisors provide information in personal discussions, by telephone, by video and at events about careers and the requirements for embarking on an apprenticeship; they also respond to questions about vocational training, applications and internships.
During the Vocational Training Week, the services for employers at the federal employment agencies inform those responsible for training in companies about how they can make use of in-company vocational training to secure the skilled staff they need in the future, how they can present themselves as an attractive training organisation to young people, and the best channels for recruiting apprentices. In addition, funding opportunities are also presented that help stabilise the conditions of the vocational training and support apprentices with the successful completion of their qualifications.
Andrea Nahles, CEO of the Federal Employment Agency: “Completing an apprenticeship and gaining a vocational training qualification can be the key to a successful future. Your career start often determines your future working life. Unfortunately, it seems increasingly likely that the conditions on the vocational training market this year – just like the job market – will be tougher than usual. I therefore invite all young people to contact our career advisors in good time and to take advantage of the available support – and not to leave it until after they have graduated from high school. Those who aren’t quick enough risk losing out.
During Vocational Training Week, a variety of great offers are available: from practical insights into careers and classes on how to write applications, through to gaming events that are combined with careers advice. Take advantage of these offers and find out more!”
Further information on Vocational Training Week is available on the website https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/k/ausbildungklarmachen (available in German).