Fewer apprenticeships in North Rhine-Westphalia

The number of company-based apprenticeships in North Rhine-Westphalia fell by 6,4 percent in 2026. More than 23.300 apprenticeships are currently still available at short notice. The apprenticeship market in the skilled trades remains stable.

The difficult economic situation in Germany is having an impact on the apprenticeship market in North Rhine-Westphalia. This year, the number of company-based apprenticeships registered with the employment agencies fell by 6,4 percent compared to the previous year. Companies reported 92.947 apprenticeships, 6.319 fewer than in 2025.

At the same time, 105.686 young people registered their interest in vocational training, 381 (plus 0,4 percent) more than in the previous year. At the start of the training year, 25.844 applicants were still considered without a placement, in addition to 12.418 young people who already had an alternative but would prefer to start a dual vocational training program. Currently, 23.359 apprenticeship positions are still available at short notice.

The market is unbalanced.

"We know the economy is undergoing a transformation. Demographics, as a key issue, is already a business reality, as is the need for skilled workers. It is therefore high time to invest in one's own and the company's future. Attractive apprenticeships and motivated applicants are immediately available," says Dirk Strangfeld from the management of the North Rhine-Westphalia regional office of the Federal Employment Agency.

"For every 100 apprenticeship positions, there are 114 applicants. The market is no longer balanced." There are fewer businesses, and the proportion of companies offering apprenticeships is declining. Strangfeld appealed to training partners from the trades, industry, and the liberal professions to continue to jointly uphold the high standards of apprenticeships.

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Stable market in the skilled trades

There is potential both among the unfilled apprenticeships and among the applicants who haven't yet secured a placement. "There's still potential. You can still look for suitable apprenticeships and you'll find something very quickly." The situation is similar on the business side. "Every apprenticeship we start is an opportunity for young people and also for the company."

Andreas Oehme, Managing Director of the West German Association of Chambers of Skilled Crafts , reports a stable apprenticeship market in the skilled trades. Currently, there are slightly fewer newly concluded apprenticeship contracts in North Rhine-Westphalia than last year – a decrease of 1,6 percent. "That's 319 fewer contracts. However, we are confident that we can maintain last year's level of approximately 28.000 concluded apprenticeship contracts."

Companies are looking for talent with any degree.

Nevertheless, there are countless unfilled apprenticeship positions. "We are particularly concerned about small businesses in the skilled trades. If small businesses can't find anyone for years, or have only very bad experiences with apprentices who don't complete their training, they eventually stop looking altogether." The skilled trades generate a broad spectrum of young talent, diverse tradespeople with all kinds of school qualifications.

More and more companies are looking to third countries to find new trainees. "Many training companies are still looking for trainees with whom they can conclude an apprenticeship contract this year. Craft businesses are looking for talent with any school qualification. They offer excellent educational and career opportunities, even leading to self-employment. Moreover, they represent professions that will not be replaced by artificial intelligence in the foreseeable future."

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