«I advise against cancelling the apprenticeship»
Mr Heiniger, is it true that more and more apprentices are dropping out of their apprenticeship?
The rate has been high for a long time. During the pandemic, training companies have carried out fewer trial apprenticeships and apprenticeship seekers have been able to test and try out less. This has further increased the number of apprenticeship dropouts. Added to this are the new needs and demands of Generation Z: the job has to make sense. If the apprenticeship is not exactly what you imagined, you will drop out again.
Experts emphasise that it is right to break off an apprenticeship if it does not fit.
Training companies do not want to drag young apprentices to graduation at all costs. Experienced vocational trainers recognise a lack of interest, passion and motivation in apprentices very early on. It makes sense to speak to young people about this. It is then often wiser to stop and start looking again.
When should you persevere and when is it better to draw a line?
I generally advise against cancelling an apprenticeship. However, if this step is unavoidable, it is best to do so during the probationary period and with a comprehensible reason. It is very unfortunate to break off an apprenticeship during the second half of the training programme. I would definitely advise against this and recommend gritting your teeth, unless you can no longer continue for health reasons.
Most training companies give apprenticeship dropouts a second chance.
Do training companies provide enough support to apprentices during their training?
In larger companies, the trained vocational trainers are no longer in daily contact with the learners - practical trainers all the more so, but with increasing production pressure and not always sufficiently trained. This often leads to conflicts of objectives and interests during the introductory phase, with the learners suffering the consequences.
How do you get started with your second apprenticeship?
An estimated 80 to 90 per cent manage to complete their second apprenticeship, and in many cases it is a real success story. If it doesn't work out after all, there are usually personal problems behind it. When apprentices apply after dropping out of an apprenticeship, the facts are on the table and it is clear where to start with the young person. Most training companies give apprenticeship dropouts a second chance. The shortage of apprentices and skilled labour helps companies to be more open.
