Education - IHK: Internship bonus only without costs for companies
Industrial and Commercial Chambers in Lower Saxony (IHKN) have raised concerns regarding the CDU's demanded apprenticeship premium for students. While such a premium could support successful career orientation, IHKN managing director Maike Bielfeldt stated, it must be embedded in a comprehensive concept.
Early start and systematic implementation across all school forms are crucial for career orientation. Voluntary holiday apprenticeships, which the CDU's demand refers to, might not replace school apprenticeships.
Bielfeldt: Companies economically heavily burdened
Some other federal states have not optimally implemented the apprenticeship premium, Bielfeldt warned. "As a result, the effectiveness of the instrument is limited due to excessive administrative overhead and numerous restrictions, such as those on certain professions or industries," she said.
Niedersachsen companies are also economically heavily burdened. A high-quality implementation of student apprenticeships, however, requires extensive preparation and costly supervision. "Therefore, a cost contribution from Niedersachsen companies towards the apprenticeship premium beyond this engagement is not a viable long-term financing option," Bielfeldt said.
CDU proposes 120 Euro per week as in Sachsen-Anhalt
The CDU in the Lower Saxony state parliament has proposed introducing an apprenticeship premium modeled after Sachsen-Anhalt. In Sachsen-Anhalt, students in apprenticeships aged 15 and above in the trades receive a weekly payment of 120 Euro. The premium should be introduced first for technical and craft professions. Perspectively, it should then be transferred to social professions, CDU parliamentarian Christian Frölich said on Tuesday. The coalition parties SPD and Greens, however, reacted cautiously.
- The IHKN, being part of Lower Saxony's Chamber of Commerce (IHK), has voiced concerns about the CDU's proposed apprenticeship premium for students, believing that it should be part of a broader concept.
- During a discussion in Parliament, the CDU proposed implementing an apprenticeship premium modeled after Sachsen-Anhalt, where students aged 15 and above in trades receive a weekly bonus of 120 Euro.
- Bielfeldt, the managing director of IHKN, noted that while the apprenticeship premium could be beneficial for career orientation, it may overburden economically strained companies in Hanover, as they would need to contribute additional funds toward its implementation.
- Adequate implementation of student apprenticeships in Lower Saxony requires extensive planning and supervision, which can be costly, making it challenging for companies to bear the extra expense of funding the apprenticeship premium beyond their existing obligations.
- Regarding the apprenticeship premium, some federal states have failed to achieve optimal results due to excessive administrative overhead and rigid restrictions, limiting the instrument's effectiveness in supporting the labor market and education system.
