Above-average training rate in mechanical engineering
Friedrich emphasizes that this is not due to a lack of will on the part of companies. The mechanical and plant engineering sector trains an above-average number of young people. At 6.1 percent, the training rate in the mechanical engineering sector is above the mark for the economy as a whole (six percent) for the 17th year in a row.

The rate thus also exceeds the average for the manufacturing industry (4.9% in December 2018). The association's own surveys show that the companies organized in the VDMA are particularly committed to training. The average training rate there is as high as seven percent. Compared to other industrial sectors, mechanical engineering also has one of the highest rates of companies providing training. 40.8 percent of mechanical engineering companies provided training in 2018. In the economy as a whole, this figure was 32.3 percent.

Modernization of apprenticeships
In order to get more trainees interested in dual technical vocational training, the VDMA is supporting its member companies with a variety of campaigns to attract suitable young talent and further increase the attractiveness of vocational training. An important component of this is the modernization of job profiles and the adaptation of teaching methods and content of vocational training to digitalization.

Together with the social partners, a total of eleven training regulations for industrial metal and electrical professions were updated last year and adapted to the new qualification requirements of Industry 4.0. "We are currently working together to update the IT professions," says Friedrich. These are becoming increasingly important for mechanical engineering. as