More young people are choosing a career in the skilled trades

A total of 2,534 young women and men are currently undertaking apprenticeships in the skilled trades in eastern Brandenburg. The newly signed apprenticeship contracts are distributed across the regions as follows: Frankfurt (Oder) 42, Oder-Spree district 95, Barnim 105, Märkisch-Oderland 133 and Uckermark 79.

This trend shows that the skilled trades remain an attractive and future-proof career choice for many young people. Dual vocational training combines practical skills with modern technologies and opens up a wide range of career paths – from a journeyman’s certificate through to a master craftsman’s qualification and even self-employment.

“The latest figures show that many young people recognise the opportunities and prospects offered by the skilled trades,” says Michaela Schmidt, Head of the Vocational Training Department at the Frankfurt (Oder) Chamber of Skilled Trades – East Brandenburg Region. “Our businesses offer secure jobs, varied work and excellent opportunities for development.”

At the same time, there are still very good prospects for young people who have not yet found an apprenticeship place to make a successful start to their working lives. The Chamber of Crafts’ apprenticeship exchange currently lists more than 170 vacant apprenticeship places across numerous trades.

“Anyone who is still undecided should definitely use the summer holidays to do a work experience placement. There is hardly a better opportunity to try out different trades, get to know companies and find out what really suits your own strengths. For many apprentices, an internship was precisely the decisive step towards their professional future,” emphasises Michaela Schmidt.

The Chamber of Skilled Crafts is urging young people and parents to make active use of the summer months for career guidance.

At the same time, the skilled trades sector is concerned about the continuing high number of cancelled lessons in schools.
“Every cancelled lesson means that important foundations may be missing – be it in maths, German or the natural sciences. However, this knowledge is crucial for a successful apprenticeship in the skilled trades. If pupils miss lessons over a prolonged period, this makes it more difficult for them to start their apprenticeship and increases the need for support within the companies,” explains Michaela Schmidt.

A reliable provision of lessons is therefore an important prerequisite for successfully preparing young people for their careers and securing the next generation of skilled workers in the skilled trades in the long term.

Despite the economic challenges, the region’s craft businesses continue to invest in apprenticeships, thereby making a significant contribution to securing a supply of skilled workers in East Brandenburg.