“The number of applicants rose in the 2024/25 training year, while the number of vocational training positions on offer continued to decline due to the economic downturn. As a result, the proportion of registered applicants with vocational training positions is lower than it has been for over 25 years. Nevertheless, opportunities still exist – we continue to support young people in finding vocational training positions," said Andrea Nahles, Chair of the Executive Board of the Federal Employment Agency (BA), at the presentation of the results for the 2024/25 career counseling year.

From October 2024 to September 2025, a total of 494,000 vocational training positions were reported to employment agencies and job centers. This was 25,000 fewer than in the same period last year. This decline is due to fewer in-company vocational training positions, which account for the majority of vocational training opportunities at 477,000.

During the same period, 444,000 applicants took advantage of the vocational training placement service. This represents an increase of 13,000 more than in the previous career counseling year.

As in previous years, there were more corporate vocational training positions than applicants, but the gap has narrowed further to 32,000. For every 100 registered apprenticeship positions, there were 93 registered applicants, compared to 86 in the previous year.

On September 30, 2025, there were still 54,000 unfilled vocational positions to be filled. This was 15,000 fewer than in the previous year. It was particularly difficult to fill vocational training positions in food-related professions, construction and construction-related professions, gastronomy, metalworking professions, orthopedics and rehabilitation technology, medical assistance, and vehicle operation.

At the same time, 40,000 applicants were still without a job, 9,000 more than on September 30 last year. This means that 9 percent of registered applicants were left without a vocational training position or alternative offer.

For years, the vocational training market has been unbalanced by the fact that supply and demand often do not match in terms of region, occupation, or qualifications. The fact that the number of unplaced applicants has increased significantly while at the same time there are many unfilled vocational training positions suggests that adjustment issues have increased.

By the end of September 2025, 191,000 applicants had started vocational training, 7,000 fewer than in the previous year. This corresponds to a ratio of 43 percent.

17 percent opted to continue their education, undertake an internship, or pursue a degree, and 2 percent opted for subsidized training such as a vocational preparation program or an entry-level qualification. A further 7 percent have started employment, 2 percent are involved in charitable social services, and 5 percent have registered as unemployed. There is no information about the remaining 13 percent of applicants.

In addition to the 40,000 applicants who have not been placed, 44,000 young people had found an alternative by September 30, e.g., continuing their education, but have maintained their desire to be placed in a dual training program. Their number has also increased compared to the previous year, by 5,000.

In order to match these and other applicants who have not yet been placed with the remaining vocational training positions, placement activities will continue until at least the end of the year. In addition, experience shows that in the coming weeks, young people who are (once again) looking for training for various reasons will also be getting in touch. Companies will also report vocational training positions that have become available (again).

Together with the vacant vocational training positions, entry-level qualifications, off-site vocational training positions, and vocational preparation measures reported to agencies and job centers at the end of September, there are still many opportunities available to enable young people who are willing and able to undergo vocational training to enter working life. Companies also still have opportunities to fill vacant vocational training positions.