Proposal for a commission-drafted directive regarding the specified subject has been solicited

The Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHKs) in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern have called for measures to make the dual education system more appealing to young people. The demands include enhanced cooperation between businesses and schools, active engagement in quality dual training, and programs that motivate young people to pursue apprenticeships.

According to the IHKs, the joint commitment from companies and IHKs is crucial to securing qualified personnel and maintaining regional economic vitality. The importance of this collaboration cannot be overstated, as the number of unfilled training places in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has increased by 7 percentage points compared to the previous year.

One of the key factors that apprentices value in dual training is its practical relevance. A survey revealed that around 95% of respondents consider this a decisive factor in their decision to pursue an apprenticeship. This sentiment is reflected in the high satisfaction rates, with 84% of apprentices in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern reporting that they would recommend their company for dual training.

Other factors valued by apprentices include takeover and career opportunities (90%), proximity of the training company to the place of residence (79%), and training allowance (82%). However, 57% of companies surveyed reported not receiving suitable applications, while around 37% received no applications at all.

To address these issues, the IHKs have proposed several solutions. They advocate for hybrid teaching models and digital learning forms to be more strongly integrated into school life. Better personnel equipment, modern technical infrastructure, and the introduction of hybrid learning forms and e-learning offers are also on the companies' wish list.

The IHKs have identified deficits in training readiness as a significant issue. Weaknesses in mathematics (56%), communication skills (48%), resilience (64%), and mental performance (54%) are particularly frequent. To combat these issues, the IHKs urge for increased financial support to relieve trainees of travel and accommodation costs.

Another concern is accessibility of vocational schools. More than a third of respondents have a travel time of at least one hour to vocational school. To address this, the IHKs demand better transport connections and financial support for long vocational school journeys or boarding school accommodations.

Administrative hurdles in hiring candidates from third countries also contribute to the issue, affecting 9% of training companies in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The IHKs call for increased financial support to alleviate these hurdles.

In conclusion, the IHKs in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern see three central fields of action to make dual training more attractive: digitalization, making vocational schools more accessible, and increasing financial support. By addressing these issues, they aim to attract more young people to dual education and secure a skilled workforce for the future.

Proposal for a commission-drafted directive regarding the specified subject has been solicited