Enhanced DGB Training Report: Amplified Out-of-Class Engagements and Additional Working Hours
Most apprentices express contentment with their professional education, as per a survey's findings. However, the satisfaction level has taken a dip, dropping from a peak of 73.3% in 2022 to 70.5% in 2023, and now rests at 69.8%, the lowest in years.
The rise in grievances over tasks not related to training suggests significant issues in certain companies, as reported by the DGB. This issue has reached an all-time high of 15.3%, surpassing the 12% range it had maintained for years.
34.5% of apprentices also share that they frequently work beyond their scheduled hours. While this figure was 32.1% last year, it surprisingly hit a historic low in 2023 and is significantly below the average pre-pandemic figure.
Industrial mechanics lead the pack in job satisfaction, with 81.6%. Industrial merchants follow closely at 80.3%. The DGB highlights that many of these individuals benefit from collective agreements. On the other hand, dental medical assistants, hotel specialists, and warehouse logistics specialists rank lowest in satisfaction, often being paid below collective agreement standards.
Summarizing, while trainees generally express satisfaction with their roles, there's always room for improvement in certain aspects. Despite the dip in training contracts, the dual vocational training system continues to thrive, according to DGB Federal Youth Secretary Kristof Becker.
The increase in overtime work among apprentices might be a contributing factor to the dip in overall satisfaction, as indicated by the survey results. Despite a temporary decrease in 2023, the percentage of apprentices working overtime hours is still higher than the pre-pandemic average.
