Apprenticeship Numbers in Hamburg’s Craft Trades on the Rise
Hamburg, July 19 – Against the national economic trend, apprenticeship numbers in craft trades are increasing across Germany, a phenomenon also observed in Hamburg. Although not all apprenticeship contracts for 2026 have been concluded, the Chamber of Crafts expects a further increase in new apprenticeships.
Unlike last year, the Chamber of Crafts reports that many companies have been able to fill all their apprenticeship positions. The situation is particularly favorable in the construction trades, in the fields of sanitation, heating, and air conditioning technology, in the electrical trades, and among automotive mechatronics technicians.
Abundant Opportunities in the Apprenticeship Exchange
The total number of apprenticeship positions offered in Hamburg’s craft trades remains unclear due to the absence of a reporting obligation. However, at the end of June, 1,247 vacant positions across more than 60 trades were still available on the Chamber of Crafts’ apprenticeship exchange. This indicates that the supply of apprenticeships remains substantial, even with the 2026 training year already underway.
Attracting Women Remains a Challenge
“One of our biggest challenges remains attracting young women to craft professions,” stated Hjalmar Stemmann, President of the Chamber of Crafts. The proportion of women in newly concluded vocational training contracts recently stood at approximately 20 percent.
AI and Climate Protection as Contributing Factors
The Chamber of Crafts attributes the growing interest in craft professions to factors such as future career opportunities, job security, and enjoyment of the work. The independence from artificial intelligence and a growing interest in climate protection are also cited as contributing factors.
Nationwide, Jörg Dittrich, President of the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts, spoke of a “ray of hope in an overall difficult situation.” Between January and June 2026, nearly 67,800 new apprenticeship contracts were registered in Germany – an increase of over 3,160 contracts, or 4.9 percent, compared to the same period last year. “We last saw such a high June figure in 2018. This sends a strong message: young people are consciously choosing the craft trades.”
Increased Applicant Numbers in Hamburg
The number of applicants for apprenticeships in Hamburg has significantly increased, while the number of available positions has slightly decreased.
Context of Broader News
This positive development in Hamburg’s craft trades comes amidst other local news, including discussions about cannabis clubs, scrutiny of AfD members in public service, and calls for a ban on smart glasses in swimming pools. The city also saw the HSV football team begin its training camp in Tyrol and the ‘Queen Mary 2’ make a stop in Hamburg, alongside 80s stars performing at the Volksparkstadion.
Source: https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/hamburg/auch-in-hamburg-findet-handwerk-wieder-mehr-nachwuchs,ausbildung-208.html
