Larger corporations offering more training agreements compared to smaller ones, study shows / IfM Bonn reveals: Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland have the highest training rates
In a recent development, the Institute for SME Research (IfM) Bonn has reported that both larger and medium-sized companies in the commercial sector and liberal professions experienced an increase in apprenticeships in 2024.
Larger companies saw an increase of 4.6% in apprenticeships, while medium-sized companies recorded a growth of 1.9%. However, small enterprises and micro-enterprises experienced a decrease in apprenticeships, with small enterprises reporting a decline of 1.0% and micro-enterprises a decrease of 2.6%.
These findings, transmitted through news aktuell, highlight a significant advantage for larger companies in the apprenticeship trend. This advantage stems from their ability to implement scalable, integrated apprenticeship and degree programs that provide effective workforce development and meet industry needs.
Medium and large firms often have dedicated teams or systems to manage apprenticeship programs, offering paid work experiences that are contextualized to specific industry roles. They are also more likely to collaborate with colleges and universities to offer degree apprenticeships, blending traditional education with practical work experience. This combination boosts degrees with real-world skills and reduces student debt.
Moreover, large and medium companies invest in apprenticeships to build a skilled workforce tailored to their industry, helping them maintain competitiveness and adapt to changes. This aligns with evidence that degree apprenticeships create job-ready employees, reducing reliance solely on traditional degrees.
On the other hand, small and micro-enterprises often lack the structural supports and financial capacity to offer comprehensive apprenticeship programs or pay wages during training. As a result, they may struggle to benefit equally from the trend.
The total percentage of apprentices trained by small, medium, and micro-sized enterprises is 68.4%. The highest training quota, or the proportion of apprentices among all socially insured employees, is currently in Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland, while the lowest training quota is in Berlin and Hamburg.
For more detailed statistical data on apprentices, visit the homepage of the Institute for SME Research (www.ifm-bonn.org). Dr. Jutta Groeschl, the press contact for the Institute for SME Research (IfM) Bonn, can be reached at Telephone: +49 228 72997-29 or Email: [email protected].
The article is available at ots.
Businesses and larger companies, leveraging their financial resources, have integrated apprenticeship and education-and-self-development programs that offer a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experience, thereby creating job-ready employees. In contrast, small and micro-enterprises, due to a lack of structural supports and financial capacity, may find it challenging to implement comprehensive apprenticeship programs, resulting in a disadvantage in the apprenticeship trend.
