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Sabine Vogt
September 22, 2025
/ 5 Minutes
From the first workday to leadership responsibility – why training secures the future
Sabine Vogt
September 22, 2025
/ 5 Minutes
The dual vocational training system in Germany faces growing challenges: declining applicant numbers, changing expectations of Generation Z, and new demands due to digitalization. Our apprentice Ron, who began his apprenticeship as an office management assistant at agt in 2020 and now works as a project manager, is shown how successful training works. Key factors are the gradual transfer of responsibility and practical challenges.
A career step that pays off
Dual vocational training is considered one of the most important cornerstones of securing skilled workers in Germany. But it is no longer self-sufficient: fewer applicants, rising expectations of Gen Z, and growing demands due to digitalization and sustainability pose challenges for both companies and apprentices alike.
The story of Ron Gniech at agt – agency for global transport shows what practical training looks like today. He began his apprenticeship as an office management assistant in 2020, successfully completed it in 2023, and now works as a Project Manager in Sales. His experiences mirror many of the questions with which the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce is also concerned.
Entering training was, for Ron, as for many apprentices, a turning point. "The transition from school to work life was the biggest challenge. Suddenly I had fixed working hours, responsibilities towards clients, and had to learn to find my place in the company," he recalls. Many young people share this experience. According to the 2025 Vocational Training Report*, the number of new training contracts nationwide fell by 0.5% in 2024 compared to the previous year. At the same time, demand remains high. This imbalance means that training companies urgently seek suitable new talents.
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Responsibility as a turning point
Uncertainties are part of the start. What is crucial is whether responsibility can be gradually transferred. For Ron, organizing a large Christmas party in Amsterdam became a turning point. "That was a milestone. I learned to make decisions, stay calm under stress, and find solutions in the team. This project showed me that I am capable of much more than I initially thought I could be."
Experiences like these make it clear: training is more than just knowledge transfer; it is personality development in a real and operational work environment. For Ron, this moment was the start of a confident professional life that ultimately led him to the role of Project Manager.
The Hamburg Chamber of Commerce has been accompanying companies and apprentices for decades and knows the areas of tension well. "Apprentices are the skilled workers of tomorrow. To start successfully, they need practical content but also structures that give them security," says Lara Hauto, consultant of the lifelong learning department.
According to a survey by the Bertelsmann Foundation*, only around 44% of the offered training positions could be filled in 2024. Only one in four companies received enough applications. The gap between supply and demand is thus bigger than ever.
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4 Insights from the Interview
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Dramatic drop in training contracts
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Training numbers are dropping despite high demand for years
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Apprentice skill shortage restricts the German economy
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Gen Z has different job expectations
Skill shortage as an urgent challenge
Hauto sees three key factors for future-proof training: digital skills, soft skills, and good framework conditions. "It is no longer enough to just convey the basics. Digital skills are key qualifications today. At the same time, teamwork, communication, and stress resistance are just as important as professional knowledge." In addition, there is the young generation's expectation that employers provide flexible models, development perspectives, and respectful interaction.
Training is not a one-way street. Ron describes how he not only gained technical knowledge but also learned to handle pressure and mistakes. "During my training, I not only gathered technical knowledge but also learned to cope with pressure, take on responsibility, and view mistakes as learning opportunities. These experiences help me every day."
From the perspective of the Chamber of Commerce, companies also benefit: "Dual vocational training is a learning field for both sides. Young people grow with their tasks – and companies benefit from fresh input and motivated young professionals," explains Hauto.
That training has a societal significance is evidenced by current forecasts. Between 2008 and 2022, the number of new training contracts in Germany fell by over 146,000*. At the same time, the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce expects a skills shortage of around 133,000 people alone in the Hanseatic city by 2035*.
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The training system requires continuous modernization
"We face a dual challenge: demographic change and a skills shortage. Dual vocational training is a key lever for securing Hamburg's competitiveness in the long term," says Hauto. For this to succeed, the training system must be continuously modernized. "Job regulations must be regularly updated, digitalization, sustainability, and internationality must come to the fore more strongly to keep training attractive and future-proof."
Ron's path exemplifies how dual vocational training can work – with uncertainties at the start, with growing responsibility, and with successes that build confidence. His story is evidence of the potential within this model. At the same time, it becomes clear that training is no longer self-running. Companies, apprentices, and institutions, like the Chamber of Commerce, must invest equally to keep training attractive and to maintain its place as a key component in securing skilled workers.
Or, as Ron sums it up: "Without my training, I wouldn't be where I am today. It was the foundation for everything that came after." And Lara Hauto adds: "It is precisely such stories that show how valuable dual vocational training is for our city. It requires commitment – from apprentices, companies, and partners like us. But it's worth it."
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