Training situation in the Bavarian metalworking and electrical industries

On March 26, 2026, Bertram Brossardt, Chief Executive Officer of bayme vbm – the Bavarian Employers’ Associations of Metalworking and Electrical Industries, presented the results of the latest apprenticeship survey.

Trends in Apprenticeship Training in the Bavarian Metalworking and Electrical Industries

In 2025, the number of newly signed apprenticeship contracts fell by 10.9 percent to 13,398 contracts. The economic situation and the shortage of (suitable) applicants are having a significant impact on the apprenticeship market. However, young people still have good chances of securing a training position in the Bavarian metalworking and electrical industry.

bayme vbm CEO Bertram Brossardt explains the survey results: “The high number of apprenticeships seen in previous years could not be maintained in 2025. Despite the decline in signed contracts, young people in Bavaria still have good chances of securing a position. Currently, there are approximately 1.5 apprenticeship positions available for every applicant in Bavaria across all sectors." However, the situation remains tense. Uncertainties stemming from the Iran conflict and U.S. tariff policy are dampening sentiment in the industry once again. If the economic situation were better, companies would offer more apprenticeships. “Currently, 39 percent of companies report that location-related issues are affecting the training situation. This figure has more than doubled since last year. This makes it all the more important for the federal government to finally provide greater certainty. We need an economic turnaround backed by genuine reforms. If this succeeds, apprenticeship figures could rise again.”

The survey shows that the number of apprenticeship contracts signed in the metalworking and electrical industries could be higher. Companies cite a shortage of suitable applicants (49.4 percent), to few applications (48.1 percent) and the economic situation (39.0 percent) as reasons for the lack of additional apprenticeship positions and the signed contracts.

Renumeration of Apprenticeships and Job Prospects

The collective bargaining agreement in the metalworking and electrical industries guarantees attractive wages for apprentices. Since January 1, 2025 – and thus as a direct result of the latest collective bargaining round – the average apprentice salary is 1,347 euros across all years of training, and from April 1, 2026, it will be 1,389 euros (for a training period of 3.5 years).

The job prospects of apprentices continue to be good: In 2025, 89.2 percent of apprentices in the metalworking and electrical industry were given a temporary or permanent position by the company that trained them. For 2026, companies plan to keep on 92.6 percent of their apprentices on a temporary or permanent basis.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Training

71.2 percent of apprentices receive job training in companies that already use AI in their apprenticeship programs. AI is most commonly used to support learning (75.4 percent), to promote digital skills (56.5 percent), to organize training (42.0 percent), and it is covered as part of teaching (26.1 percent). 15.9 percent of surveyed companies use AI in recruiting and 14.5 percent of companies use it in production.