Dramatic shortage of apprentices in Salzburg – salzburg.ORF.at
business
Around 1,500 open apprenticeship positions, but only 237 young people looking for an apprenticeship position: The AMS reports that the interest in the apprenticeship has never been so low. Advertising campaigns and more information for parents should change this.
When the economy is booming and needs young talent, it is doubly dramatic, says Jacqueline Beyer, regional manager of the Salzburg Employment Service: “There has never been a situation like this where we are short of 1,300 young people for the numerous vacancies. One reason is that we have an increase in the number of vacant apprenticeships by 30 percent compared to 2019. “
Beyer adds that the demand for apprenticeships is increasing enormously, on the other hand, one sees a demographic development that the number of young people is currently a bit lower. But interest in teaching is also decreasing – this has been clearly visible since the beginning of the corona pandemic, according to Beyer: “This is a special challenge. We are now starting from scratch with career orientation ”.
Online promotional videos to reach teenagers
Promotional videos from Salzburg apprentices for potential apprentices have been viewed one and a half million times on the Internet. Much is being tried to reach young people. Salzburg will even position itself as the most apprentice-friendly federal state.
Governor Wilfried Haslauer from the ÖVP on the question of how such a high shortage of apprentices can come about: “It has simply developed in a society that has become increasingly academic and has developed over the decades. It is a common prejudice that if you want to have a good life, you have to go to school and then to university. In the meantime this has shifted. It is from teaching that the most incredible careers are written. The pay is okay and also approximated to academic professions. “
Get parents involved more
And in order to emphasize this, parents would have to be given the latest survey, for example, says Peter Buchmüller, President of the Salzburg Chamber of Commerce: “More than 80 percent of the apprentices are very satisfied with their training. That makes us proud, of course, and the companies do it very well. Companies are more willing than ever to train apprentices. Only we don’t get, because a lot of apprentices stayed in the this year and were able to visit, for which they can get advice from many events. “