Despite success in securing skilled workers: Federal program to be phased out

The Ministry of Economic Affairs does not intend to continue the "Tailor-Made Placement and Welcome Guides" program. The German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (ZDH) is advocating for its continuation, as this would be a serious setback for the apprenticeship market and the securing of skilled workers.

The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy has announced that the "Tailor-Made Placement and Welcome Guides" program will not be continued after its scheduled expiration at the end of next year. The German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (ZDH) considers this decision wrong and demands that the program be maintained. The planned termination contradicts the challenges facing the labor market and the economy. Its discontinuation would be a "serious setback for the apprenticeship market, securing skilled workers, and the future viability of Germany as a business location."

Germany needs more successful transitions into vocational training, more professionally qualified people, and better integration of domestic and international talent, according to the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (ZDH). This requires not new structures, but the reliable continuation of a proven instrument. The program is cost-effective, efficient, regionally rooted, and directly aligned with the federal government 's skilled worker, training, and integration policies.

Fitting problems are addressed.

It's not just the insufficient number of applicants that's a problem, but also the existing mismatch. "Companies can't find suitable trainees, while young people can't find the right path to training and employment." This is precisely where the program and its placement officers come in. "They know the companies, their specific needs, and the requirements of the apprenticeships. They actively approach companies, open them up to apprenticeships, provide individual consultations, match candidates precisely, and support both sides, if needed, throughout the entire apprenticeship process. This not only leads to apprenticeship contracts, but also makes them more sustainable in the long run."

The ZDH also points to the good figures that have been achieved with the program so far:

• Almost 10.000 placements in employment, training or entry-level qualification in the years 2024 and 2025, including almost 2.300 refugees from EU and third countries as well as refugees who came to Germany.
• Over 52.000 young people received individual advice and support,
• approximately 21.000 supported businesses,
• 93 or 96 percent of the companies are satisfied or very satisfied with the perfectly matched staffing and the welcome guides.

This shows that the program is being used and is reaching businesses. "If apprenticeships remain unfilled or training contracts fail, not only are future skilled workers lacking, but if the training cannot be passed on, valuable company experience is also lost," emphasizes the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (ZDH). Phasing out the program would destroy established networks. Rebuilding such structures later would be significantly more expensive, time-consuming, and less effective than their reliable continuation.

The ZDH therefore appeals: "The 'Matching Skills and Welcome Guides' funding program must be reliably continued and permanently secured beyond 2027. The ZDH is ready to constructively support the development of a follow-up guideline and work together to ensure that companies continue to provide training, young people receive career prospects, and the skilled workforce of the future is secured."

Source: ZDH

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