High number of trainees from abroad poses challenges for Ingolstadt’s vocational schools

A job in a German restaurant is even very attractive to young people from Asia. A striking number of applications are received from countries such as Vietnam.

This trend is well known at the State Vocational School 1 in Ingolstadt: “Many trainees in catering professions come from Vietnam,” said specialist teacher Bernd Döllinger. at a press conference of the Chamber of CommerceIn some classes, the proportion is 50 percent. “The motivation behind this is not entirely clear to us.” Other vocational schools in Bavaria also report a large number of prospective apprentices from Vietnam.

Lack of skilled workers also affects the catering industry

They are also needed. The shortage of skilled workers in the hotel and catering industry is causing problems for the industry, and in some cases opening hours have to be reduced. The influx from the Far East means additional work for the vocational schools: “The language deficits are a challenge for us,” says Döllinger, a chef trainer. “Because the examination language is German.”

Often apprentices do not initially reach the easiest language level A1

The young apprentices not only have to be able to keep up with the training, it is also essential “that they understand the tasks,” says Judith Greber. She teaches German at vocational school 1. The recommended language level is B1 (advanced use of German) or, even better, B2 (independent use of the language). However, she often finds that “the language level A1, even the simplest, is not there in some cases,” says the teacher. The teaching staff therefore do a lot to teach the apprentices from abroad good German. “We can support them to a certain extent,” says Greber. But even the school sometimes reaches its limits. “We cannot offer language courses in the evenings.” The teacher knows from experience that it is worth investing time and energy in the young people: “There are many good students.”

German teacher: It is worth investing time and energy in young people from abroad

Trainees in all disciplines need support in German. 26 percent of the students at vocational school 1 have a migration background. Their roots lie in around 70 countries.

Given the shortage of skilled workers in many sectors and the hundreds of thousands of unfilled positions that will soon become vacant due to retirement, Germany is dependent on motivated young people from all over the world. Vocational schools make a significant contribution to qualifying them for the job market – both in terms of skills and language.

Preparatory classes in both Ingolstadt vocational schools

There are also special vocational preparation classes for teenagers and young adults from abroad at the State Vocational Schools 1 and 2 in Ingolstadt. In addition to German, they learn useful information about the world of work. The goal: training readiness. At the Leo von Klenze School (Vocational School 2) currently has 100 students with a migration background attending a vocational integration class. Vocational School 1 Around 160 students attend one of the seven vocational preparation classes of various types. Germans are also integrated here, who still need to mature a little and are prepared to start an apprenticeship within a year.

“Offensive apprentice recruitment in Indonesia

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Back to the numerous catering apprentices from Asia: Daniel Spreng, head of vocational school 1, reports on “aggressive recruitment of apprentices in Indonesia”. As a result, there are also more and more applicants from Vietnam. “They come in all year round.” We have to teach them because they are required to attend vocational school. That is sometimes difficult,” reports Spreng. His colleagues do everything in their power to provide the young people from all over the world with solid training. Just like at any vocational school.