Apprentices’ pay differs according to sector and region

In May 2008, the Institute of Economic and Social Research published a review of the remuneration for apprentices in Germany. Differences in the levels of pay were found not only by sector, but also by region. For instance, regional differences are marginal in the metalworking industry, but are particularly marked in the private transport and construction sectors.

Setting remuneration levels

In May 2008, the Collective Agreement Archive (WSI-Tarifarchiv) of the Institute of Economic and Social Research (Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaftliches Institut, WSI) within the Hans Böckler Foundation (Hans Böckler Stiftung, HBS) published an overview of the remuneration for apprentices (in German) in Germany. In 2007, the collectively agreed increase in remuneration levels for apprentices was between 2% and 4% in most sectors, although no increase was agreed in some bargaining areas. The monthly remuneration for apprentices can therefore be as low as €332 in the first year of apprenticeship in the private transport sector in the Free State of Thuringia located in central Germany and as high as €1,260 for apprentices in their fourth year of training in the construction sector (see also DE0709019I).

The remuneration for apprentices is usually agreed in the course of the general pay negotiations between trade unions and employer organisations. Whereas in some sectors the remuneration for apprentices is directly linked to wages – expressed as a percentage of a particular wage group – in most cases the agreement for apprentices is concluded separately.

Length of apprenticeships and training

Apprenticeships in Germany can last between 24 and 42 months depending on the profession or craft. According to figures from the Federal Statistical Office (Statistisches Bundesamt, Destatis), about 8% of individual apprenticeship contracts signed in 2005 included a two-year training period, 71% set a three-year training period and about 21% spanned over 42 months of training.

Differences in remuneration

Similar to the differences in wages, it appears that remuneration levels differ considerably according to both the type of industry and the year of apprenticeship reached. Although a number of sectors set uniform rates of pay for apprentices, substantial regional differences in pay levels are sometimes apparent in other sectors. Where regional differences exist, it is in most cases an east-west divide. These differences become visible when making a comparison of the collectively agreed remuneration for apprentices in the third year of training across a number of selected industries (see table).