Vocational Training Situation in the Bavarian Metal and Electrical Industries (M+E)

In 2025, the number of newly concluded vocational training contracts is expected to fall by 3.8 percent to 14,458 contracts. The survey of the Bavarian Metal and Electrical Industries Employers Association produced a forecast for the 2026 training year with around 13,735 completed training contracts (-5.0 percent). The economic situation and the lack of (suitable) applicants are making themselves felt on the M+E training market. However, young people still have good opportunities for a training position in the Bavarian M+E industries.

Statistically speaking, there are currently around 1.5 training places available to every applicant in Bavaria across all sectors. This means that young people's chances of getting a vocational training placement in Bavaria are still very good. The economic and structural crisis is also leaving its mark on the training market. At 32.6 percent, almost a third of the companies surveyed cited the economic situation as a reason why more training cannot be provided.

The survey shows that the number of training contracts concluded in the M+E industries could be even higher. The reasons for not having more training places or for a decline in M+E training contracts concluded in individual companies are primarily a lack of suitable applicants (58.1 percent) or too few applicants (44.2 percent) and the economic situation (32.6 percent).

Training Allowance in the Bavarian Metal and Electrical Industries

The collectively agreed training allowance is very attractive in the M+E industries. Since January 1, 2025, and thus as a direct result of the last round of collective bargaining, the trainee salary has averaged 1,347 euros over all years of training. From April 1, 2026, it will average 1,389 euros (with a training period of 3.5 years).

Takeover Situation

The takeover situation remains excellent: in 2025, 90.8 percent of companies will take on their trainees on a temporary or permanent basis. For 2026, 95.8 percent plan to take on their trainees on a temporary or permanent basis.

Use of Pre- and Onboarding Measures

74.7 percent use targeted measures to bind trainees to the company before their training begins. Companies most often use welcome letters/emails (67.7 percent), invitations to information days or trainee events (64.5 percent), joint invitations to sign a contract with parents (47.6 percent) or sending Christmas and/or birthday greetings (37.9 percent).

The most common measures for onboarding trainees are a tour of the company (95.9 percent), an introduction to the company (69.2 percent), get-to-know-you days/activities (67.5 percent) or getting feedback on the first few days (55.6 percent).