“We need more openness in order to integrate young companies into the training system”

Interaction between the labour market and vocational education and training is not running smoothly at present. Companies are increasingly complaining that they are unable to fill their training vacancies. At the same time, the Federal Employment Agency is continuing to report that a large number of young people are failing to find a training place. This varies according to sector and region. In general terms, however, it is possible to state that almost no training is any longer being provided by the smallest category of companies in the craft trades sector. Company-based training also plays virtually no role at start-ups, which are highly prevalent in the booming technology sector in particular. Kerstin Josupeit-Metzner is Head of the Berlin-based project “Cooperative Guidance Services for Dual VET”. Together with her team, she has taken up the cause of encouraging small and innovative firms in particular to become involved VET and thus open up prospects for both sides – companies and trainees.