Training consensus: Securing skilled workers is the priority

Representatives of the North Rhine-Westphalia training consensus have called for a commitment to securing skilled workers through vocational training. They emphasize that it remains a crucial pillar for economic success, social cohesion, and democratic stability.

At a high-level meeting of representatives of the vocational training consensus in North Rhine-Westphalia, the partners called for a decisive push to secure skilled workers through vocational training in light of economic, demographic, and technological changes. Training companies are not alone in this endeavor: the federal government, the state, municipalities, and economic and social partners support businesses with coordinated funding and support programs to facilitate young people's access to high-quality training and to strengthen companies during the training period.

These programs should be communicated more effectively, utilized more widely, and further developed with a practical focus. Vocational training remains a central pillar for economic success, social cohesion, and democratic stability. Current challenges present increasing demands on companies, vocational colleges, and skilled workers alike. At the same time, vocational training opens up diverse opportunities for young people: it strengthens personal development, social participation, and career prospects.

Reactions to the NRW training consensus:

"In times when the possibilities of AI are calling many traditional office jobs into question, vocational training in skilled trades is a real investment for the future – especially for all those who aspire to self-employment as founders or successors. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are a career prospect that we should be promoting to young people in schools and training programs right now."
Andreas Ehlert, President of Handwerk.NRW

"The increase in applicants this year is a real opportunity for the skilled trades: More craft businesses are finding interested and suitable trainees to fill their apprenticeship positions. The skilled trades represent professions with a future: recession-proof, meaningful, and less susceptible to automation than other sectors. And young people learn a great deal, especially in the many small businesses, as they are integrated into the entire work process from the very beginning – they grow with responsibility, learn about connections, and develop skills that will last a lifetime."
Berthold Schröder, President of the West German Chamber of Skilled Crafts

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"For over 25 years, politicians, employers, and trade unions have worked closely together on the North Rhine-Westphalia training pact to offer young people excellent career prospects. Our shared goal remains to ensure long-term prosperity and social security. To achieve this, we need motivated skilled workers who are curious and eager to get involved. Their expertise and innovative spirit form the foundation of our competitiveness. Good training is and will remain the crucial key – for the strength of our region as well as for the individual, for a secure job and a self-determined life."
Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst (CDU)

"Vocational training offers young people real opportunities and strengthens our economy in the medium and long term. Especially in challenging economic times, it is crucial to provide training and take joint responsibility for the future. With the career guidance and transition support offered by the state initiative 'No School Leaving Certificate Without a Career Path', the 240 coaches and transition guides from the state program 'Training Pathways NRW', and the NRW Workshop Year, the state provides essential support for a successful start to a career. In addition, we are increasing the attractiveness and quality of dual vocational training by promoting inter-company training courses, modernizing inter-company training centers, and offering a master craftsman bonus for the trainers of tomorrow."
Labor Minister Karl-Josef Laumann (CDU)

"In times of uncertainty and change, many young people are searching for guidance and a clear perspective for their future. The clear, positive signal from the high-level talks on vocational training is all the more encouraging. Young and courageous trainees and practitioners demonstrate the immense potential of vocational training. As the state government, we are strengthening vocational training – because it offers security, drives our economy forward, and opens up real opportunities for young people's futures. I am serious about intergenerational fairness."
Minister of Economic Affairs Mona Neubaur (Greens)

"Our talent scouting program is a strong partner for young people in finding the right educational path for them. Talent scouts discover exceptional abilities both inside and outside of school and provide support where it is lacking at home. They encourage school leavers to pursue their education with determination and help with career guidance. The state has further expanded the program, so that 125 talent scouts now support up to 670 partner schools and 30.000 students. With this accompanying advisory service, North Rhine-Westphalia is setting standards in talent development. Talent scouting programs based on the North Rhine-Westphalia model have now also been launched in Berlin, Hesse, Schleswig-Holstein, and even Innsbruck."
Minister of Science Ina Brandes (CDU)

"For many young people, vocational training offers a reliable opportunity for a successful professional future. Schools have the task of strengthening students' professional, personal, and social skills. The NRW School Compass 2030 provides the framework for this. We support young people with career guidance programs during the transition from school to work. These programs aim to help young people discover their strengths and gain practical experience to ensure a successful start to their vocational training. Together with our partners in the vocational training agreement, we are committed to ensuring that no young person falls through the cracks on this path."
Education Minister Dorothee Feller (CDU)

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