According to BIBB figures, around 476,000 apprenticeship contracts were signed in 2025, around 10,300 fewer than in the previous year (-2.1%). At the same time, the number of training places on offer has fallen significantly, with 25,300 fewer apprenticeship places reported compared to 2024, a decrease of 4.6%. In total, only around 530,300 apprenticeship places were still available in 2025, down from a peak of nearly 600,000 in 2019. At first glance, the problem of unfilled apprenticeship plac
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As a Berlin correspondent for the French and Swiss press since the late 1990s, I cover a wide range of economic, political and social issues, with a particular focus on the German business and labour market. My areas of interest include co-determination, digitalisation, demographics and ESG/DEI policies.