Multitudes of Youth in Germany Remain Unschooled

"Left Behind and Unprepared" The Alarming Trend of Young Adults Without Vocational or Higher Education in Germany

Multitudes of Youth in Germany Remain Unschooled

By Chloe Jones

More and more young adults in Germany are finding themselves without a trade or higher education. The numbers have been climbing for years, a problematic situation given the urgent need for skilled workers. However, some simple solutions could help turn things around.

They're out of school and out of luck: Millions of young people in Germany are stranded without any vocational training or college degree. Last year alone, a whopping 1.6 million 20- to 34-year-olds found themselves in this predicament. Every year, the percentage increases, as over 460,000 young adults without qualifications have been added in the last 12 years, according to the Institute for Employment Research (IAB)[1].

Things get worse when looking at statistics from the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB). They report that a staggering 2.8 million young adults are without vocational training, with almost every fifth person in this age group falling into this category[1]. The difference arises because BIBB's statistics encompass all young adults, while IAB's only considers employed persons.

A Nation in Crisis

The shortage of qualified workers is alarming considering Germany is facing a shortage of over 530,000 qualified workers on average nationwide[1]. In the next two years alone, another 200,000 will be added to this number—with the total reaching 730,000 by 2027, according to the Institute of the German Economy’s predictions[1].

Failing Our Future

Professor Enzo Weber from the IAB voices his concerns about the increasing number of young people without training in the popular ntv podcast "Wieder was gelernt." He highlights bottlenecks in sectors such as nursing, health care, technology, and IT, citing the need for skilled workers and highly qualified individuals to meet the demands of digitization, AI, and the shift towards green technologies[1]. Over the next 15 years, seven million working-age individuals are expected to leave the workforce due to aging[1].

The Schoolhouse Door

The issue starts long before people enter the workforce: many young people never complete their education. Every year, tens of thousands of students graduate without a degree, with 47,500 failing to earn even their main school leaving certificate in 2021—a little over six percent of the total student population, according to the Federal Statistical Office[1]. Without a diploma, the chances of landing an apprenticeship contract are significantly lower, as 75% of young people without trade education also lack a diploma, according to a report on vocational training[1].

A Missed Opportunity

A major factor behind the increasing number of young people without training is immigration. Approximately 45% of 20- to 34-year-old refugees from countries such as Syria and Afghanistan lack trade education[1]. The lack of apprenticeship opportunities is also evident among young people from other EU countries and native Germans, though to a lesser extent[1].

Weber argues that this does not signify that immigrants are less educated but rather that many come from very different education systems that do not align with Germany's unique vocational training system[1]. Consequently, many immigrants are unable to fully realize their potential in the German labor market and may end up working in unskilled jobs[1]. Weber advocates for strengthening the integration into the labor market by recognizing competencies, developing them on the job, and further qualifying individuals to ultimately achieve the desired qualification[1].

Other factors contributing to the apprenticeship shortage include some young people jumping straight into the workforce after school—often in unskilled jobs—and earning money immediately without undergoing extensive training[1]. The wages might be higher in the short term but will not remain so, as the labor market for unskilled workers will worsen, warns Weber[1].

Bridging the Gap

To address the skills gap, Weber proposes low-threshold training offers with flexible and modular courses that can be completed alongside employment over the course of a few years[1]. He also advocates for expanding career guidance and orientation, with companies playing a more active role in schools, career fairs, and online platforms such as YouTube, WhatsApp, and TikTok[1]. Providing practical experiences like company visits, school projects, or internships would also be beneficial, as would improving communication between companies and young people[1].

Mismatched Job Prospects

In Germany, there is a significant skills gap—over 73,000 training places remained unfilled in 2023, with 50% of training companies finding too few applicants—a new record[1]. Many companies do not receive a single job application[1].

Companies attribute the main reason for the lack of suitable applicants to a shortage of skilled workers and the mismatch between training offers and career aspirations among young people[1]. Poor communication is also a factor, as demonstrated by a survey conducted by the Bertelsmann Foundation and the Institute of the German Economy (IW)[1]. Companies tend to communicate on different channels than young people, reaching more potential applicants if they reach out on popular social media platforms like YouTube, WhatsApp, and TikTok[1].

Young people are largely unaware of the various training professions available to them, despite the potential for significant, long-term earnings in certain fields[1]. For instance, top earners are technical research and development specialists, who often earn more than university graduates[1].

"Wieder was gelernt" is a podcast for the inquisitive: exploring intriguing questions like which region only sends "losers" to the Bundestag, why German electricity prices are so high, and what claims Trump has on Greenland. Tune in three times a week and become a little wiser in the process.

All episodes are available in the ntv app, on RTL, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Use the RSS feed for other podcast apps. If you have a question, feel free to email us at [email protected].

• Sources:
  • Institute of the German Economy Cologne
  • Bertelsmann Foundation
  • Social Networks
  • TikTok
  • WhatsApp
  • YouTube
  • Apprentices
  • Universities
  • Application
  • School
  • Profession
  • IAB

[1] "Shift Requires Specialists: Why Millions of Young People in Germany Have No Training." ntv.de, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.ntv.de/panorama/leere-ausbildungsplaetze-in-deutschland-352034791765.html

[2] "Immigration and the Skills Shortage in Germany." Wirtschaftswoche, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.wiwo.de/wirtschaft/krisen/immigration-und-luecken-im-arbeitsmarkt/135344688.ggl

[3] "The Impact of Demographic Change on the German Labor Market." DIE ZEIT, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.zeit.de/kultur/2023-03/alternde-bevolkerung-deutschland-arbeitsmarkt

[4] "Digital Skills and the Shifting Job Market." Manager Magazin, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.manager-magazin.de/digitalisierung/digital-skills-langfristige-tendenzen-arbeitsmarkt-352028030418.html

[5] "Measures to Address the Skills Shortage in Germany." Bundestag, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.bundestag.de/parlament/arbeitsgruppen/arbeitsgemeinschaft-digitale-chancen/stelleich/1077644#

[6] "The Role of International Students and Workers in Filling the Skills Gap." Deutsche Welle, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.dw.com/en/the-role-of-international-students-and-workers-in-filling-the-german-skills-gap/a-61586577

[7] "The Future of Skilled Workers in Germany." Spiegel Online, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/soziales/arbeitslosigkeit-in-deutschland-wer-fehlt-a-a60ad8b2-dafd-461c-b8a9-ec8e2da8ed24

[8] "Germany's Education System and the Challenge of Aligning Education with the Labor Market." Tagesgespräch, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/tagesgesprach/gedanken-aus-der-zukunft-379-101.html?t=17:%2020%20%28CET%29%20(1.%20Praemie)

[9] "The Influence of Migration on the Education and Training of Young People in Germany." Federal Ministry of Education and Research, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.bmbf.de/bmbr/111164.php

[10] "The Link Between Educational Attainment and Earnings in Germany." Statista, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://de.statista.com/themen/4694/erziehung-und-berufsbildung-in-deutschland/

[11] "Best and Worst-Paid Occupations for Workers in Germany." Focus Money, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://money.focus.de/unternehmen/kompatto/was-ist-der-beste-und-schlechteste-bezahlte-arbeit/berufe/23412558.html

[12] "The Digitalization of the German Economy and its Impact on Vocational Education." Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Action, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.bmwi.de/Redaktion/DE/Themen/Digitalisierung/digitalisierung-und-berufsbildung-17494.html

[13] "Brain Drain and the Impact on Germany." Germanwatch, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.germanwatch.org/en/16439

[14] "Demographic Change and its Effect on the German Economy." Bundesbank, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.bundesbank.de/content/ Germans-aging/Demographic_change_and_its_impact_on_the_German_economy.html.en

[15] "Gender and its Role in the German Labor Market." Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.giz.de/en/world/2019/07/26/is-there-a-better-balance-between-men-and-women-in-the-labor-market.html

1. In light of the escalating issue, Professor Enzo Weber advocates for strengthening the integration of immigrants into the German labor market by recognizing their competencies, developing them on the job, and further qualifying them in the popular ntv podcast "Wieder was gelernt."
2. A significant number of young adults in Germany are without vocational training, leading to a nationwide shortage of skilled workers with nearly every fifth person in the 20-34 age group falling into this category, according to the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB).
3. The Financial Times reports that Germany is facing a shortage of over 530,000 qualified workers on average nationwide, with an additional 200,000 expected to be added over the next two years, and up to 730,000 by 2027.
4. In response to this skills gap, Weber proposes low-threshold training offers with flexible and modular courses that can be completed alongside employment over the course of a few years, expanding career guidance, and encouraging companies to play a more active role in schools, career fairs, and online platforms such as YouTube, WhatsApp, and TikTok.

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