Grandpass in training positions: Rhein-Erft-Kreis is urgently looking for young people

Grandpass in training positions: Rhein-Erft-Kreis is urgently looking for young people

The current situation on the training market in the Rhein-Erft district raises worrying questions, in particular with regard to the promotion of young talent in various industries. Although many trainees start their professional career in August, there is an acute shortage of skilled workers in many companies. According to the Trade Union food-enjoyment restaurant (NGG), around 900 training positions are vacant at the Employment Agency, whereby the actual number is probably even higher.

shortage of skilled workers in gastronomy and food production

The demand in the catering and food industry is particularly strong. "In these areas, 31 training positions in food production and 30 positions in gastronomy are waiting to be discovered by young people," explains Marc Kissinger, Managing Director of NGG Cologne. In order to counteract the deficiency, many companies take the initiative into their own hands and use online portals and social media to address potential trainees.

educational opportunities and necessary change of perspective

Kissinger criticizes a social phenomenon: "There is only one study and therefore a dual training is often traded under value." In reality, professions in the craft, industry and service sector offer numerous career opportunities. Many specialists start training and will continue to study later, for example in areas such as food chemistry or event management.

criticism of the insufficient willingness to train

The union also criticizes the "unfortunate inertia" with regard to the promotion of young talent. Companies do not run enough training positions, and politics should support the economy to assume more responsibility. Kissinger demands that after the training no time limit for takeovers should be made in order to bind young specialists in the long term.

changes in the training market

A look at the figures of the past ten years shows that the training market in the Rhein-Erft district has changed significantly. While in 2013 there were 3390 applicants off 1670 training positions, almost the same number of offers are available for 2023 with 2130 applicants and 2060 jobs. There is a striking imbalance, especially in building construction, where the number of unoccupied training positions exceeds the number of applicants.

The value of soft skills and personal suitability

In order to improve the quality of the trainees, companies should less to school and place more emphasis on personal conversations. Kissinger recommends discovering talents through internships and getting to know young people better. Professions such as sellers or warehouse logisticians who are often considered not very attractive by the applicants are particularly challenging, while professions such as chemical or car mechatronics engineer generate high demand.

Conclusion: A joint action is required

The grievances on the training market in the Rhein-Erft district require a common action by companies and politics. The shortage of skilled workers can only be tackled sustainably through targeted efforts and innovative approaches. The focus should be on the personal skills of the applicants and on the creation of attractive framework conditions for training to arouse the interest of young people in these industries again.

- Nag