CDU and SPD agree on training place levy - Berlin proposes mandatory levy to fix apprenticeship shortage crisis
Berlin's political parties have taken a step to tackle the city's severe shortage of apprenticeships. The CDU and SPD factions have drafted a law introducing a mandatory training levy for larger employers. If approved, the scheme would raise at least €75 million each year to fund new apprenticeship places.
The proposed law targets firms with ten or more employees whose apprenticeship rate falls below 4.6 percent. These businesses would have to contribute to a central fund, even if they do not currently offer apprenticeships. Smaller companies and those meeting the threshold would remain exempt.
Berlin's apprenticeship rate stood at just 3 percent in 2023—the lowest among all 16 German states. This figure falls well below the western German average of 4.7 percent, highlighting the city's persistent struggle to provide enough training opportunities. The fund, financed by employer contributions, would support businesses creating additional apprenticeship positions. However, the draft law still requires parliamentary debate and approval. If passed, the new rules would not come into force until the start of 2028.
The levy aims to boost apprenticeship availability by redistributing funds from non-training firms to those expanding their programmes. Should the law pass, Berlin's employers would begin payments in 2028, with the collected money directly funding new training places across the city.
