According to a new “Apprentice Report” released by the DGB Youth, approximately half of the trainees surveyed (50.6%) feel psychologically burdened. The German Trade Union Federation explained this stress is attributed to a combination of various challenges in both professional and private life, as well as the ongoing diverse societal and global crises.
Performance and time pressure is cited by 20.9% of respondents, which is slightly higher than the 19.3% reported ten years ago. Current stressors identified by apprentices include staff shortages (19.6%) and pressure related to responsibility (19.2%).
Several issues reported in previous years have declined. For instance, while 19.1% criticized long commute times in 2016, that figure is now 16.5%. Similarly, reported burdens from long working hours and shift duties dropped from 14.6% in 2016 to 13.1% recently. The prevalence of constant availability (down from 14.2% to 11.4%) and the lack of safety measures or necessary equipment (down from 9.1% to 6.2%) have also decreased. Furthermore, only 5.2% of current apprentices report experiencing discrimination or bullying.
Regarding personal well-being, nearly half of the apprentices (49.4%) feel exhausted at the end of a workday. Nearly 44% continue their training even when feeling ill or unwell.
Beyond the workplace, life circumstances are significant factors of stress: 49.9% feel burdened by their financial situation, while 35% struggle with difficult housing. Other personal commitments such as juggling side jobs, caring for relatives, and raising children each affect almost one in ten trainees.
Nina Krüger, the DGB Federal Youth Secretary, addressed these challenges, stating that given the rising rents and cost of living, the federal government needs to ensure a higher legal minimum allowance for apprenticeships. She emphasized that “financial barriers must not determine whether young people can learn their chosen professions.”
Krüger also highlighted that certain conditions can reduce stress. Good professional guidance, predictable working hours, sufficient time for rest, and tasks that directly serve the training goals are crucial. The availability of mentors significantly impacts anxiety levels: if trainers are always accessible, only 8.5% of apprentices report being highly stressed. However, if trainers are rarely or never available, this figure jumps to 36%.
