Apprentices are preparing for the start of the new school year. This term, the deadline to find an employer has been extended from 1 November to 30 November--even if apprentices have already started their theoretical courses. The bill was adopted on Tuesday, 14 September in the .
In the meantime, supply and demand are not always balanced. As of 19 August 2021 there were 16 vacancies for butcher apprentices in initial training, but with no candidates on the horizon at the moment, data from the Chamber of Skilled Trades and Crafts shows. The eight applicants for an apprenticeship in bricklaying will be spoilt for choice, as there are 33 vacancies. The same applies to the seven tiler candidates for 20 places, and the five candidates for 31 places for roofers. There are still no apprenticeships for the ten tinsmith applicants and seven carpenters in training.
On the other hand, no less than 50 future apprentices are looking for a position as a beautician, although only 14 places are available. Competition will also be fierce among those interested in becoming an apprentice car and motorbike mechanic, as 43 places remain available while there are 179 applicants.
279 young apprentices already placed
The 279 applicants already placed are not included in these figures. For example, if there are seven applicants for 20 tiling positions, six have already signed a contract in this field and are therefore part of these 279. In detail, 15 contracts have already been signed in food, 47 in fashion, health and hygiene, 106 in mechanics, 106 in construction and housing and five in the miscellaneous category.
The situation is not static either, since these statistics take into account the first choice of applicants, who have to indicate three trades when applying for an apprenticeship. If a person has listed beautician as their first option, but butchery as their third, they will have a good chance of finding a company to take them on. The number of apprentices is also expected to rise with the end of collective leave and the return to school having "a big effect on placements”, says the chamber.
In 2020, 761 contracts were signed between 15 July and 31 December--the deadline was extended due to the pandemic--39 in the food sector, 137 in the fashion, health and hygiene sector, 206 in mechanics, 360 in construction and housing, one in bookbinding and 18 in swimming instructor training.
Compulsory schooling up to 18 years of age divides opinion
Every year, more young people turn to apprenticeships to combine theoretical training at school with practical training in companies. This is not enough to overcome the shortage of skilled workers in the craft industry. Could the raise of the age to 18 announced by the Minister of Education Claude Meisch (DP) have an impact?
"There is a drop-out rate. If there is a system in place to deal with these young people, we think it is a good idea," says the director of the Chamber of Skilled Trades and Crafts, Tom Wirion. He notes that "many enter apprenticeships, but not enough of them graduate.” This is because they are “not mature enough or misdirected.” In 2020, 416 young people and adults successfully completed their vocational training in the craft sector.
Those who start their apprenticeship around the age of 15-16, too often, make a “choice due to failure,” he says. “In Luxembourg, it seems more noble to work in an office than in a workshop.” A pupil who is bad at languages would automatically be directed towards the craft industry. Rather, Wirion advocates for “looking at young people as a whole.”
In Luxembourg, it seems more noble to work in an office than in a workshop.
"Even the best training system will not solve" the labour shortage, he says, as long as demographic growth does not keep pace with economic growth.
Romain Schmit, secretary general of the Craftsmen Federation (FDA), is more critical. "I have the impression that we want to establish the school system as the solution to all problems rather than questioning the reasons for dropping out. He adds that "every extension will reduce working hours while we have pension problems. It feels like we want to avoid the drudgery of work for young people at all costs."
"It's a hotheaded and personal reaction," he insists. For FDA president Ernest Pirsch, extending compulsory schooling will not solve the labour problem either. "We need motivated people", which will not be the case “if we force them.” A "change of mentality" is needed to “restore the image of the craft industry.”
This story was first published in French on . It has been translated and edited for Delano.