Companies continue to offer training positions

The findings show that some companies are relying on the training bonus promised by the federal government. "It is very good news that most companies are maintaining their training position offer," explains Dr. Nicole Grünewald, President of the Cologne Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK Köln).

According to the survey, more than one in two companies, approximately 55 per cent, will again train as many young people as they did before the coronavirus crisis, around 21 per cent are having to reduce the positions offered, and 7 per cent want to appoint more trainees than before. The survey is evidence, according to the press release, of the importance of the support for training companies which has been planned by the federal government and which was initiated by the Alliance for Initial and Continuing Education and Training.

 More than 20 per cent of companies surveyed stated that they are able to continue training as before due to the prospective €2,000 bonus per contract. According to Grünewald, policy-makers are moving in the right direction and investing in future-oriented training, but the effect could be much greater as many companies say the financial incentives provided by the bonus are not big enough.

IHK Köln advised that apprentices will be supported if companies are facing financial difficulties. Help has already been provided by placing trainees from insolvent companies with other companies so that they can continue their training. "These are individual cases in which top priority is always given to continuing training," explains Christopher Meier, Director of Initial and Continuing Education and Training at IHK Köln, adding, "trainees can rely on this" and that many more attractive offers would also be available for the new training year.