Apprentice-Run Children’s Ward Signals Shift as Germany’s Training Numbers Hit Two-Decade High
Published on 07/06/2026 at 20:32 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
Ten nursing trainees have taken over a paediatric unit at the Katholische Karl-Leisner-Klinikum in Kleve, running the station independently from June 22 to July 19. The pilot project, which follows a successful trial in Goch last year, is designed to familiarise young recruits with responsibility early in their careers.
The experiment comes at a time when German employers are signing up apprentices at a pace not seen in over twenty years. For 2026, the skilled-trades sector reported the highest number of apprenticeship contracts since 2003. First-year enrolments alone jumped 10.8 percent year-on-year.
Regional figures tell a similar story. In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, 972 new contracts were registered by July 5 — an increase of 11.2 percent. The most popular fields are automotive mechatronics and plumbing, heating and air-conditioning systems. Of the roughly 5,000 apprentices in the northeast, 848 are female. Trade chambers are urging young people to use the summer holidays for internships.
One early success story is a 17-year-old roofer from Wachenbuchen who passed his final examination. He trained at a company in Bruchköbel that employs 23 staff and currently has seven apprentices on its books.
Legal obligations for firms employing minors
As more under-18s enter the workplace, businesses face a stricter legal framework. Key requirements include:
- Working-time recording: Following a Federal Labour Court ruling in September 2022, employers must log the start, end and duration of each working day — without any transition period. Trust-based working remains possible, but the documentation must be in place. Works councils have a co-determination right.
- Holiday entitlement: The Federal Labour Court has clarified that leave claims refer to working days. A 2026 ruling by the Thuringia Regional Labour Court warns that blanket restrictions — for example, capping consecutive holiday at two weeks — carry legal risks.
- Sick notes: The government is planning to introduce a mandatory doctor’s certificate from the first day of illness. For recipients of the new basic income support, this rule has applied since July 2026. Employment lawyers point out that existing contracts with a three-day grace period may remain valid under the principle of favourability.
- Maintenance obligations: For 12- to 17-year-olds in 2026, the minimum maintenance payment is €653 per month (minus half of the child benefit). Those liable for maintenance may have to accept jobs below their qualification level if necessary.
Care leavers face extra hurdles
Welfare associations in Lower Saxony are demanding more support for so-called care leavers — young adults leaving foster families or youth welfare services. Around 16,000 children and adolescents are affected. Without assistance, they risk housing insecurity or dropping out of training.
Pending reforms — still not law
The federal government is planning to ease fixed-term contract rules, allowing periods of up to 48 months. In addition, dismissal protection could be relaxed for high earners with a gross annual salary of around €177,000. As of July 2026, neither measure has been passed.
Disclaimer regarding our articles: No investment advice, no buy or sell recommendation. Information on prices, companies, and markets is provided without guarantee; changes are possible at any time. Stock market transactions can lead to substantial losses. Our articles are created and reviewed in whole or in part automatically with the support of AI.
