These are the most popular apprenticeships

The apprenticeship as an automotive mechatronics technician remains the most popular apprenticeship in Germany. The development in the baking trade is noteworthy.

At the top of the ranking of the most popular apprenticeship occupations nationwide is still "Motor vehicle mechatronics technician" with 24.531 new contracts, "Office management clerk" with 21.732 and "Salesperson" with 21.585 contracts in the first three places.

Several apprenticeship trades are experiencing significant growth. For example, the baking trade. With a 17 percent increase in newly signed apprenticeship contracts for bakers and a 9,3 percent increase in new contracts for bakery sales assistants, the industry is proving popular with young people. "The strengthened image of the baking trade as a meaningful and future-proof craft, and the positive effects of the Skilled Immigration Act, are contributing significantly to this," according to the [source/organization]. Central Association of the Bakery Trade.

Overall, the number of newly concluded apprenticeship contracts in dual vocational training occupations declined in 2025. This was reported by the Federal Institute for Vocational Training (BIBB)The survey was conducted on September 30, 2025. A total of 475.950 new apprenticeship contracts were concluded. This was 2,1 percent fewer than in the previous year. Just under two-thirds (63,5 percent) were for male apprentices, and slightly more than one-third (36,4 percent) for female apprentices.

There is an upward trend here.

✔️ In the newly created two-year apprenticeship program (2022) "Kitchen specialist" According to BIBB, there were 1.188 new contracts (2024: 975). It improved its ranking by ten places. 

✔️ Also developing significantly upwards "Baker" with 2.337 newly concluded apprenticeship contracts (2024: 1.995), 

✔️ "Civil engineering specialist" with 2.331 contracts (2024: 1.962) as well as

✔️ "Road builder" with 1.674 contracts (2024: 1.560), each gaining eight places.  

Most popular apprenticeships among men

✔️ Top 1:  "Automotive mechatronics technician" with 23.007 new contracts (2024: 23.661).  

✔️ Top 2:  "Plumbing, heating and air conditioning technician" with 14.172 new contracts (2024: 14.277).

 ✔️ Top 3:  "Electronics technician" with 14.082 new contracts (2024: 14.391).

The strongest increase among men is in the "Medical Assistant" profession, with 1.146 newly concluded apprenticeship contracts (2024: 837). This occupation has moved up 17 places. This is the strongest annual absolute increase in new contracts for this apprenticeship since 2009. Between 2009 and 2025, the number of men in this female-dominated profession has risen almost continuously.

Most popular apprenticeships among women

✔️ Top 1: "Medical professionals" with 16.680 newly concluded apprenticeship contracts (2024: 15.432)  

✔️ Top 2:  "Dental assistant" with 16.206 contracts (2024: 15.597)

✔️ Top 3:  "Office Management Clerk" with 15.501 contracts (2024: 15.720). 

 Besides "Kitchen Specialist," the largest gains among the apprenticeships chosen by women are in "Notary Assistant," which has moved up eight places with 558 new contracts (2024: 456). The number of "Employment Services Specialists" also increased, rising by six places to 582 new contracts in 2025 (2024: 549).

 Source: BIBB

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