Chemicals invests in training despite the crisis
Training balance 2025
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Following last year's record figure, the expected consolidation of training figures in the chemical-pharmaceutical industry is now taking place: companies are adjusting their training offer for 2025 to the current economic conditions with 8,779 training places on offer. Although this means that the training figures are below the exceptional figure of 10,088 places in 2024, the long-term average of the collective training agreement will still reach a level of over 9,000 places.
Reflection of the economic situation
"The record figures for the 2023 and 2024 training years were largely driven by the hope that the competitiveness of the chemical industry in Germany would improve in the long term. This hope has been dashed. The adjustment of the training figures is a consequence of this economic reality," emphasizes BAVC Managing Director Mathias Schöttke.
"When capacity utilization is at a historic low and we have lost almost 20 percent of production compared to 2018, companies cannot train to the same extent as in better times. It is therefore all the more remarkable that the industry has achieved a long-term average of over 9,000 training places despite these extreme strains," says Schöttke. "This shows that Companies are continuing to invest in training - even under conditions that are anything but favorable. This commitment is a clear signal of demographic preparedness and the great importance of training in the chemical-pharmaceutical industry." Schöttke continued: "As an innovation sector, we need young talent to work with us to drive the transformation of the industry and develop solutions for the challenges of the future. At the same time, we have to be prepared for the fact that the demand for skilled workers will change both qualitatively and quantitatively as a result of structural change."
Retention rate at a high level
The companies' commitment is also reflected in the career prospects for the time after training: despite the crisis, the hiring rate in the industry remains high at around 89% (previous year: 92%): nine out of ten trainees are taken on - without any collective agreement obligation. In addition, the proportion of permanent hires immediately after training in the last four years is just under 60 percent (2025: 58.3 percent, 2024: 62.2 percent). This shows: Those who start an apprenticeship in chemistry or pharmaceuticals continue to have very good prospects. A key challenge for companies remains finding suitable applicants for the training positions on offer, especially in STEM professions. The proportion of unfilled training places currently stands at 9.6 percent (2024: 10.3 percent, 2023: 11.8 percent). Companies have therefore continuously increased their investment in training marketing and recruiting in recent years.
Strengthening the economy, securing training
"We now need a clear course for a strong industrial location in Germany," demands BAVC Managing Director Mathias Schöttke. "Politicians must finally set the right framework conditions: Relieving companies of bureaucracy and social security contributions and consistently strengthening competitiveness. The social partners must also make their contribution in the upcoming collective bargaining round." Schöttke also emphasizes the importance of an efficient education system: "Securing and modernizing vocational school locations, especially in rural areas, is a key education policy task in order to maintain the attractiveness of the dual system for companies and young people."
Next level "trainee marketing"
The chemical employers' associations have long been committed to career guidance for young people and STEM professions with the "Elementary Diversity (ElVi)" training campaign. As part of the BAVC-AGENDA 2035, the campaign was fundamentally developed further in order to get young people even more interested in training in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. In addition to an innovative recruiting network, modern influencer marketing on Instagram and TikTok and digital tools for career guidance, a new AI chatbot, new job and company profiles and a new career guide are also being used. The aim is to highlight the attractiveness and diversity of apprenticeships in the sector, support young people in their career choices and facilitate access to vacancies and internships. The activities of the ElVi campaign have received several awards, including the German Prize for Online Communication (DPOK).
Note: This article has been translated using a computer system without human intervention. LUMITOS offers these automatic translations to present a wider range of current news. Since this article has been translated with automatic translation, it is possible that it contains errors in vocabulary, syntax or grammar. The original article in German can be found here.
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