Companies report 700 fewer apprenticeships - Number of applicants rises - Thuringia Apprenticeships Drop 700 as Economic Uncertainty Persists
In Thuringia, companies have registered a decline in apprentice positions, with around 11,500 spots available from October 2024 to September 2025. This marks a decrease of 700 compared to the previous year and roughly 1,500 fewer than in 2023. Economic conditions and global market uncertainties were cited as key reasons for this drop.
Despite the decline in positions, there were 7,900 applicants, a rise of 200 from the previous year. This resulted in a ratio of 70 applicants for every 100 registered training positions. As of late September, around 600 young people remained without an apprenticeship. Notably, the number of foreign applicants surged by 20 percent to 1,000, with most hailing from Syria and Ukraine.
Employers in Thuringia have adapted their recruitment strategies. They often use targeted methods like social media, employee referrals, or career fairs instead of traditional job postings. Some companies offered fewer apprenticeship positions due to concerns about finding suitable candidates. The most popular professions among applicants were retail salesperson, automotive mechatronics technician, and office management assistant.
The decline in registered apprenticeships in Thuringia reflects broader economic uncertainties. While the number of applicants has increased, there are still young people seeking positions. Employers are evolving their recruitment tactics, and the demand for certain professions remains high. However, the reasons behind specific companies reducing training places remain unclear.
