There has been a sharp increase in the number of refugees starting training in Germany. Many of them are opting for a skilled crafts occupation.
Increasing numbers of refugees are completing vocational education and training in Germany.
These are the findings of a special analysis by the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB). In 2017, more than 15,000 young people from the countries of Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iraq, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Syria signed training contracts. Most of the refugees who come to Germany are from these countries. In 2016, approximately 6000 new training contracts were concluded by people from these countries; in 2008 the figure was around 1000.
50 per cent of trainees from an asylum country of origin opted for training in the skilled crafts in 2017. According to the BIBB, this points to a disproportionate increase in the training of refugees for the skilled crafts - in 2008 the proportion was just 27 per cent.
"The immense task which the skilled trades are taking on in terms of their social responsibility and integration function is abundantly clear," commented BIBB President Friedrich Hubert Esser, praising this commitment. In his view, the results of the study are also evidence that the skilled crafts in particular are benefiting from this group of people.
90 per cent of trainees from an asylum country of origin are male. And on average they are 23 years old when they conclude their training agreement. Particularly popular occupations are
- Electronics technician
- Hairdresser
- Plant mechanic for sanitary, heating, and air conditioning systems
- Painter and varnisher
- Baker