NRW Labor Minister Laumann Tours Companies Amidst Declining Vocational Training Positions

On August 10, 2026, North Rhine-Westphalia's Minister of Labor, Karl-Josef Laumann, visited several companies in the Bergisches Städtedreieck region to highlight the state of vocational training and encourage engagement in apprenticeships. His visits included well-established organizations such as BIA Kunststoff- und Galvanotechnik, Restaurant Schützenhaus, Sana-Klinikum Remscheid, and Zimmerei Gebrüder Merten, all recognized for their commitment to training future skilled workers.

Laumann's tour is part of the Fachkräfteoffensive NRW initiative aimed at bolstering vocational training amidst concerns about skilled labor shortages. Despite vocational training's vital role, the training market in NRW faces significant challenges, including an 18.1% decline in available training positions compared to the previous year and a 23.9% drop since 2023/24. This has led to more applicants struggling to secure apprenticeships.

At BIA Kunststoff- und Galvanotechnik, which has trained over 250 young people since 1999 and currently employs 12 apprentices, head of HR Dorota Schneider emphasized the company’s dedication to developing young talent for long-term employment. Similarly, Restaurant Schützenhaus, with over 280 apprentices trained and five currently in training, regards vocational education as a key investment in the future. Sana-Klinikum Remscheid, hosting 135 nursing apprentices, underscored the importance of well-trained healthcare professionals in an aging society. Their innovative KI-Mobil program, launching in September, provides apprentices with introductory training on artificial intelligence applications free of charge. The traditional carpentry business Zimmerei Gebrüder Merten currently trains two apprentices.

Minister Laumann stated, "A solid education is still a ticket to a self-determined life and opens the way to interesting career opportunities." He urged young people to persist in seeking apprenticeships, noting that open training positions remain across sectors such as industry, trade, and social services, even after the training year began on August 1.

This tour highlights NRW’s efforts to strengthen vocational education and combat the skilled labor shortage by supporting both apprentices and companies willing to train future professionals.