New Dual Training Contracts in Germany Continue to Decline in 2025
Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- The number of new dual vocational training contracts in Germany decreased slightly in 2025, continuing a trend from the previous year.
- A total of 461,800 new contracts were concluded, representing a 2.8% drop compared to 2024.
- Experts express concern over this decline, viewing it as a potential impediment to the integration of young people into the labor market.
Germany's renowned dual vocational training system, a cornerstone of its economic strength and a vital pathway for young people, is showing signs of strain. The latest figures reveal a continued, albeit slight, decline in the number of newly concluded dual training contracts for 2025. With 461,800 contracts signed, this marks a 2.8% decrease from the previous year, extending a downward trend observed in 2024. This development is particularly concerning for experts like Bettina Kohlrausch, scientific director at the WSI institute, who warns that a key integration engine for the German labor market is faltering. While the system historically provides stable career paths even for those without university entrance qualifications, the shrinking number of new contracts raises questions about future accessibility and the system's capacity to absorb new trainees.
Er zeigt, dass ein wichtiger Integrationsmotor des deutschen Ausbildungs- und Arbeitsmarktes ins Stottern geraten ist.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
More Stories
From Our Blog
What Gets Lost (and Found) When News Is Translated
How the Same Story Looks Different in Different Countries
The Critical Role of Diaspora Media in Global News
What Travellers Should Know About Countries with Restricted Press
A Digital Nomad's Guide to Following Local News
