Training Report 2026: Trainee satisfaction in Germany hits record low

Trainee satisfaction in Germany has plummeted to its lowest point since 2006, according to the German Trade Union Confederation's (DGB) latest training report. Only 65.7% of trainees expressed satisfaction with their current training, marking a six-percentage-point drop from the previous year.

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The satisfaction of trainees in Germany has continued to decline.

The report, which surveyed 13,227 individuals, placed a significant focus on the mental well-being of trainees. It found that half of all trainees reported experiencing psychological distress. Key contributing factors include pressure related to performance, time constraints, and job responsibilities, as well as staff shortages within their training companies. Each of these elements was cited as a burden by one-fifth of the respondents.

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Mental health issues affect every second person in training.

Beyond workplace stress, private concerns are also taking a toll. Fifty percent of trainees identified their financial situation as a significant burden, while 35% cited their living conditions. The economic strain is substantial, with over two-thirds of trainees stating they cannot live independently on their training wages. Consequently, one-third receive financial assistance from their parents, and one in eight holds a second job to make ends meet.

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More than two-thirds said they could not live independently on their training salary.