A career move that pays off
Dual vocational training is considered one of the most important pillars for securing skilled workers in Germany. However, it is no longer a sure-fire success: fewer applicants, rising expectations of Gen Z and the growing demands of digitalization and sustainability pose challenges for companies and trainees alike.
The story of Ron Gniech at agt - agency for global transport shows what practical training looks like today. He began his training as an office management assistant in 2020, successfully completed it in 2023 and now works as a project manager in sales. His experiences reflect many of the issues that the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce also deals with.
For Ron, as for many trainees, starting an apprenticeship was a turning point. "The change from school to working life was the biggest challenge. Suddenly I had fixed working hours, responsibility towards customers 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 concluded in 2024 fell by 0.5% nationwide compared to the previous year. At the same time, demand remains high. This imbalance means that training companies are urgently looking for suitable young talent.
Responsibility as a turning point
Uncertainties are part of the start. The decisive factor is whether you succeed in gradually transferring responsibility. In Ron's case, it was the organization of a big Christmas party in Amsterdam that became a turning point for him. "That was a milestone. I learned to make decisions, stay calm under stress and find solutions as part of a team. This project showed me that I can do much more than I initially thought I could."
Experiences like this make it clear: training is more than just imparting knowledge - it is personality development in a real and operational working environment. For Ron, this moment was the start of a self-confident professional life that ultimately led him to the role of Project Manager.
The Hamburg Chamber of Commerce has been supporting companies and trainees for decades and is very familiar with the areas of tension. "Apprentices are the skilled workers of tomorrow. In order for them to get off to a successful start, they need practical content but also structures that give them security," says Lara Hauto, a consultant in the Lifelong Learning department.
According to a survey by the Bertelsmann Stiftung*, only around 44% of the training places on offer were filled in 2024. Only one in four companies received enough applications. The gap between supply and demand is therefore wider than ever.
4 Findings of the interview
Dramatic decline in training contracts
1.
Training figures have been falling for years despite high demand
2.
Training figures have been falling for years despite high demand
Trainee skills shortage limits German economy
3.
Trainee skills shortage limits German economy
Gen Z has changed expectations of the job
4.
Gen Z has changed the demands on the job
Skills shortage as an urgent challenge
Hauto sees three key factors for future-proof training: digital skills, soft skills and good framework conditions. "It's no longer enough to just teach the basics. Digital skills are key qualifications today. At the same time, the ability to work in a team, communication and stress resistance are just as important as technical knowledge." In addition, the young generation expects employers to offer flexible models, development prospects and respectful treatment.
Training is not a one-way street. Ron describes how he not only gained specialist knowledge, but also learned how to deal with pressure and mistakes. "During my apprenticeship, I not only gained specialist knowledge, but also learned how to deal with pressure, take responsibility and see mistakes as a learning opportunity. These experiences help me every day today."
From the perspective of the Chamber of Commerce, the companies also benefit: "Dual training is a learning environment for both sides. Young people grow with their tasks - and companies benefit from fresh input and motivated junior staff," explains Hauto.
Current forecasts show that training is important for society as a whole. 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 shortage of skilled workers of around 133,000 people in the Hanseatic city alone by 2035*.
Training system needs constant modernization
"We are facing a double challenge: demographic change and a shortage of skilled workers. Dual vocational training is a key lever for securing Hamburg's long-term competitiveness," said Hauto. For this to succeed, the training system must be continuously modernized. "Professional regulations must be regularly adapted Digitalization, sustainability and internationality must be given greater priority in order to keep training attractive and fit for the future."
Ron's path is an example of how dual training can work - with uncertainties at the beginning, with growing responsibility and with successes that create self-confidence. His story is proof of how much potential there is in this model. At the same time, it is clear that training today is no longer a sure-fire success. Companies, trainees and institutions, such as the Chamber of Commerce, must invest equally to ensure that training remains attractive and maintains its place as a central component of 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 afterwards." And Lara Hauto adds: "It's stories like these that show how valuable dual vocational training is for our city. It needs commitment - from trainees, companies and partners like us. But it's worth it."
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