Improving career guidance in collaboration with general education schools: guiding young people into apprenticeships effectively.

Students require systematic, preferably early, practical, and realistic career guidance. Internships in companies play a pivotal role. Furthermore, all school types, including grammar schools, should mandatorily inform about the prospects of dual vocational training and subsequent advanced vocational education as an alternative and equally valuable pathway to university studies. The business community is ready to contribute in this regard. In addition to personal counselling provided by training and career advisers or training ambassadors, digital formats, including those for parents, should be enhanced. To ensure comparability and transparency in the qualifications and school graduation standards of applicants, companies advocate for binding, nationwide agreed-upon educational standards, as well as more initiatives that encourage interest in STEM careers, economic basics, and entrepreneurship. Additional recommendations for improving the conveyance of essential basic skills required for apprenticeship readiness in school education have been published by the IHK organisation in the position paper "Enhancing School Education – Securing Skilled Workers for the Economy" (only available in German). To prevent unrealistic career aspirations and reduce apprenticeship dropout rates, it is essential to place young people in suitable companies, considering their individual circumstances. Youth employment agencies, supported by the involvement of IHKs, should be strengthened nationwide and become the primary contact point for young people in career selection. Given the declining number of applicants and numerous unfilled training positions, political discussions about levy-funded apprenticeship guarantees should be concluded. Company-based training should always take precedence over external training to enhance graduates' job market prospects. Promoting programmes like entry-level qualifications, assisted training, and mentoring schemes should be made more well-known and developed further. Students who have dropped out of university should be rapidly matched with training companies.

School students need systematic, as early as possible, practical and realistic career orientation. Internships in companies are vital. Additionally, all types of schools, including grammar schools, should mandatorily inform about the perspectives of dual vocational training and subsequent higher vocational education as alternative and equivalent pathways to university studies. The German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) is ready to contribute here. Alongside personal counselling from training advisors, career guidance experts or training ambassadors, digital formats for parents should also receive boosts.

Students require systematic, preferably early, practical, and realistic career guidance. Internships in companies play a pivotal role. Furthermore, all school types, including grammar schools, should mandatorily inform about the prospects of dual vocational training and subsequent advanced vocational education as an alternative and equally valuable pathway to university studies. The business community is ready to contribute in this regard. In addition to personal counselling provided by training and career advisers or training ambassadors, digital formats, including those for parents, should be enhanced.

To ensure comparability and transparency in the qualifications and school graduation standards of applicants, companies advocate for binding, nationwide agreed-upon educational standards, as well as more initiatives that encourage interest in STEM careers, economic basics, and entrepreneurship. Additional recommendations for improving the conveyance of essential basic skills required for apprenticeship readiness in school education have been published by the IHK organisation in the position paper "Enhancing School Education – Securing Skilled Workers for the Economy" (only available in German).

To prevent unrealistic career aspirations and reduce apprenticeship dropout rates, it is essential to place young people in suitable companies, considering their individual circumstances. Youth employment agencies, supported by the involvement of IHKs, should be strengthened nationwide and become the primary contact point for young people in career selection. Given the declining number of applicants and numerous unfilled training positions, political discussions about levy-funded apprenticeship guarantees should be concluded. Company-based training should always take precedence over external training to enhance graduates' job market prospects. Promoting programmes like entry-level qualifications, assisted training, and mentoring schemes should be made more well-known and developed further. Students who have dropped out of university should be rapidly matched with training companies.