Magdeburg/Halle (dpa/sa) - Although the new training year has already begun, craft businesses in Saxony-Anhalt are looking for apprentices. The Chamber of Crafts in Magdeburg told the German Press Agency that there is a lack of trainees in the construction and food industries in particular, as well as in the electrical industry, where young people are particularly needed for electronics technicians and plant mechanics. The willingness to train is unbroken in companies despite the current crisis, said the general manager of the Magdeburg Chamber of Crafts, Burghard Grupe.
By the end of October 2022, 1,366 new training contracts had been concluded in the trades companies in northern Saxony-Anhalt. That was 40 more this year compared to 2021 with 1326 apprenticeship contracts. According to the Halle Chamber of Crafts, a total of 1264 new training contracts were recorded in the south of Saxony-Anhalt from the beginning of the year to October 31st. That was 67 fewer than in the previous year (January to October 2021) with 1331 apprenticeship contracts. According to their own statements, the skilled trades in Germany have around 130 professions to choose from.
In the long term, Grupe said that, in addition to advertising on all channels, the aim was to become even more visible for the skilled trades. That means daring to take the step both online and at trade fairs and in schools. An internship in the company can also be a good door opener for trainees. "With the focus on the upcoming energy transition, young people are increasingly focusing on the professions of electronics technician and plant mechanic. But car mechatronics technician and carpenter are also still popular training occupations," said Grupe.
However, the gloomy economic prospects are affecting the commitment of companies to training, said a spokesman for the Halle Chamber of Crafts. The background is the concern of not being able to finance this in view of increased costs such as for energy.
According to the Chamber of Crafts, around 133,000 people work in around 25,000 companies in Saxony-Anhalt, including around 7,100 trainees. All in all, the skilled trades in the state generate around 15 billion euros in sales a year.
