More Applicants for Training - Around 1,400 Without an Apprenticeship - Hamburg's Apprenticeship Push: DGB Proposes Levy-Funded Guarantee
Hamburg's apprenticeship landscape is evolving. The DGB proposes a levy-funded training guarantee to boost apprenticeships. Meanwhile, the Chamber of Skilled Crafts and the Chamber of Commerce are taking steps to attract more young people to vocational training.
The DGB, a trade union federation, has called for a levy-funded training guarantee to expand apprenticeships and support young people. This proposal aims to address the skills gap and promote vocational training.
The Chamber of Skilled Crafts has urged more applicants for trades like heating engineers and electricians. This push is driven by Hamburg's climate neutrality targets, which require a skilled workforce to implement. The Chamber of Commerce, on the other hand, plans to increase outreach to schools. They aim to promote apprenticeships as a viable alternative to higher education.
Despite these efforts, there were 10,182 available apprenticeship positions in Hamburg by the end of September 2025, a 3.8% decrease from the previous year. Unfortunately, 950 positions remained unfilled, leaving 1,400 applicants without a contract.
However, Hamburg saw a 14.8% increase in apprenticeship applicants, totaling 8,077 by the end of September. This positive trend reflects a growing interest in vocational training. In 2025, 17,725 young people began vocational training, marking a 1.8% increase from 2023. The Chamber of Commerce placed 7,264 apprentices, while the Chamber of Skilled Crafts secured placements for 2,305. Company-based apprenticeships saw 11,916 starts, with 5,809 entering school-based vocational programs.
The levy-funded training guarantee proposal by the DGB, along with the outreach efforts by the Chambers of Skilled Crafts and Commerce, signals a concerted effort to promote vocational training in Hamburg. Despite some unfilled positions, the increase in applicants and starts reflects a positive trend in vocational training.
