Where do I fit in?
Choosing a career is a reality check. Young people are confronted with what their skills and the wealth of knowledge they have acquired at school are worth. For many, perhaps even the majority, this is not a problem, as their school grades and their application make a good impression and they find the apprenticeship they want without any major detours.
Others, however, have to realise that their track record will make it difficult for them to be invited to a job interview and a trial apprenticeship in their chosen profession.
There are many people who stick to their dream job despite poor opportunities and then receive rejection after rejection.
Some young people really start to get stuck in at this point. «Certain young people who simply haven't taken school seriously enough realise that they can fulfil the requirements if they make an effort,» says careers advisor Sigrid Weber. The sense of achievement is all the greater when their commitment is actually rewarded with an apprenticeship contract or admission to the desired school.
Alternatives to the career choice
However, there are also many who stick to their dream job despite poor opportunities and collect rejection after rejection. Some simply need more time, for example a tenth year at school. During this time, they can work specifically on the skills that do not yet fulfil the requirements. There is also the option of repeating the third year of secondary school at a higher level and continuing the apprenticeship search with a better academic record.
Instead of trying to fulfil the requirements of the desired apprenticeship, there is another strategy for choosing a career: adapting the profession to one's own abilities. Careers counsellor Weber explains how this works: «Automation technician is a very demanding four-year apprenticeship. If you don't have good grades in maths and other subjects, you have little chance of getting an apprenticeship. The automation fitter apprenticeship is less demanding, but is in the same field. It is a good alternative for students who are not quite as strong.»
In many professions, there are basic training programmes at different levels, so that both those with a strong academic background and those with more practical skills can find the right entry level. After an apprenticeship as a heating fitter, you can complete training as a heating fitter as a shortened second apprenticeship and arrive in your desired profession with a slight delay.
Performance tests are becoming increasingly important
School reports continue to be of great importance. School reports can be an initial selection criterion, particularly in sought-after apprenticeships. Equally important are tests (e.g. Stellwerktest, Multicheck or Kompass), which are used to determine the skills and aptitudes of young people in a different way.
In addition, many industry organisations have developed special aptitude tests that the training companies carry out with the candidates. Large companies often have their own multi-stage selection process.
