MEO region: Training market shines despite gloomy economic situation!

On January 9, 2025, the Essen Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) will publish positive economic data for the MEO region. In 2024, 3,194 new training contracts were concluded, representing an increase of 56 contracts (1.8%) compared to the previous year. This is the best value in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), while the overall numbers in NRW are declining. Robert Schweizog, head of the “Education & Examination” business area, emphasizes the companies’ investments in training. This positive development is also attributed to the work of training consultancies and trainee marketing.

The service sector is showing double-digit growth, particularly in the areas of banking, insurance, hotels and restaurants. In retail, on the other hand, companies are recording a decline of almost 10% in training contracts. An increase of 23% can be reported in the metal industry. Industrial and technical occupations are increasing by 9%, while commercial occupations are declining by 1%. In Essen the number of training contracts increased by 6.7% (135 contracts), while in Mülheim a decrease of 7.7% (44 fewer contracts) and in Oberhausen by 6.5% (35 fewer contracts) were noted.

Insights into the training market

According to a report by the Essen Employment Agency, 3,873 teenagers and young adults registered with career advice for the 2024 training year, which represents an increase of 161 applicants. In comparison, the number of training places available falls to 3,108 positions, 102 fewer than in the previous year. There are currently 452 unfilled training positions, 104 more than in the same month last year. Retail is particularly hard hit, where the most unfilled positions are in the professions of retail clerk (67), salesperson (50) and retail specialist (47).

When it comes to training opportunities, the most popular careers among those looking are office management clerks, automotive mechatronics engineers and IT specialists in application development. Andrea Demler from the Essen Employment Agency reports an increase in dual training, with 13% of those interested being 25 years old or older. There is also increasing interest among young people with foreign nationality.

Overall, the dynamism on the training market in Essen is noticeable, even if companies are currently training fewer young talent, which leads to a surplus of applicants. Dietmar Gutschmidt from the JobCenter Essen emphasizes that young people with realistic career aspirations have good opportunities. Despite the challenges posed by unfilled training positions, experts are calling for a training guarantee for young people.