Germany’s Skilled Trades Crisis Deepens as Apprentice Numbers Plummet
Germany's skilled trades are facing a growing shortage of workers, with nearly 19,000 training positions left unfilled in 2025. Customers now wait weeks or even months for appointments as demand outstrips the number of qualified professionals. The problem has deepened over time, with apprentice numbers falling sharply since the late 1990s.
In 1997, around 633,000 apprentices entered the trades across Germany. By 2024, that figure had dropped to just over 341,000. The decline has been particularly noticeable in North Rhine-Westphalia, where numbers fell from over 78,500 in 2015 to under 75,000 in 2024. Several factors contribute to this trend: fewer school leavers with the right qualifications, language barriers, and a reluctance to consider trade careers. Many young people also prefer university degrees, viewing them as more prestigious than vocational training.
The decline in apprentice numbers has left thousands of customer positions empty and customers facing long delays. Without more trainees, the gap between demand and available skilled workers will likely widen. The trades sector must address these challenges to secure a stable workforce for the future.
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