MEO region: Training market shines despite the dark economic situation!

On January 9, 2025, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) released positive economic data for the Meo region. In 2024, 3,194 new training contracts were concluded, which represents 56 contracts (1.8 %) compared to the previous year. This is the best value in North Rhine-Westphalia (North Rhine-Westphalia), while the total number in North Rhine-Westphalia is declining. Robert Schweizog, head of the “Education & Testing” business area, emphasizes the investments of the companies in training. This positive development is also attributed to the work of the training advice and trainee marketing.

The service sector shows double -digit growth, especially in the areas of banks, insurance, hotel industry and gastronomy. In the trade, on the other hand, companies have a minus of almost 10 % in the training contracts. An increase of 23 % can be reported in the metal industry. Commercial and technical professions increase by 9 %, while it is declining by 1 % in commercial professions. In Essen, the number of training contracts has increased by 6.7 % (135 contracts), while in Mülheim a decline of 7.7 % (44 fewer contracts) and 6.5 % (35 fewer) was determined in Oberhausen.

insights into the training market

According to a report by the Essen Employment Agency, 3,873 young people and young adults have registered with the career counseling for the training year 2024, which is an increase of 161 applicants. In comparison, the training position offer drops to 3,108, 102 less than in the previous year. There are currently 452 vacant training positions, 104 more than in the previous year. The trade is particularly affected, where the most vacant positions in the professions in retail (67), seller (50) and trading specialist (47) are located.

In the area of training opportunities, popular professions among the seekers are primarily a merchant for office management, car mechatronics engineer and IT specialist application development. Andrea Demler from the Essen Employment Agency reports on an increase in dual training, with 13 % of those interested 25 years or older. In addition, there is an increasing interest in young people with foreign citizenship.

Overall, the dynamics on the training market in Essen can be felt, even if the companies are currently training fewer young people, which leads to an overhang of applicants. Dietmar Gutschmidt from the Essen job center emphasizes that young people have good chances with realistic career. Despite the challenges of unoccupied training positions, experts demand a training guarantee for young people.