Apprenticeship in Germany

For some particular technical university professions, such as food technology, a completed apprenticeship is often recommended; for some, such as marine engineering it may even be mandatory.

If they are younger than 18 years, they are protected by additional labour regulations, for example limiting night shifts and daily work hours to lower numbers than for legal adults.

Some companies require by contract the apprentices' continued labour for an agreed period after they have achieved measurable competencies.

Kathleen Thelen has traced the origins of the modern system of plant-based apprenticeship in Germany to the legislation passed by the German government in 1897.

[2] German vocational training institutions have gradually changed since then; however key features of the original system are still in place.

[2] In 1969, a law (the Berufsbildungsgesetz) was passed which regulated and unified the vocational training system and codified the shared responsibility of the state, the unions, associations and the chambers of trade and industry.

For other professions, usually which require more theoretical learning, the working and school times take place blockwise e.g., in a 12–18 weeks interval.

The latent decrease of the German population due to low birth rates is now causing a lack of young people available to start an apprenticeship.

Realschule and Gymnasium graduates usually have better chances for being accepted as an apprentice for sophisticated craft professions or apprenticeships in white-collar jobs in finance or administration.

Originally, at the beginning of the 20th century, less than 1% of German students attended the Gymnasium (the 8–9 year university-preparatory school) to obtain the Abitur graduation which was the only way to university back then.

Due to the risen social wealth and the increased demand for academic professionals in Germany, about 24% of the youngsters entered college/university in 2000.

Thus, everyone who has completed an apprenticeship, e.g. as an industrial manager (Industriekaufmann), has learned the same skills and has attended the same courses in procurement and stocking up, controlling, staffing, accounting procedures, production planning, terms of trade and transport logistics and various other subjects.

Academic professionals, e.g., engineers, seeking this license need to complete the AdA during or after their university studies, usually by a one-year evening course.