Print version Recommend this page Press release
01/ 2010
Bonn, 05.01.2010
Training allowances based on collective wage agreements 2009: largest increase for 14 years
Press release with enlarged figures
In 2009, trainees in West Germany earned an average gross training allowance of €679 per month. Training allowances based on collective wage agreements rose by an average of 3.3%, a rise significantly higher than the 2.0% increase of the previous year (see Figure 1). In East Germany, training allowances based on collective wage agreements rose by 4.9% in 2009 to an average of €595 per month - an increase considerably higher than the rise seen in the previous year (2.9%). The last year in which a higher increase took place was 1995 (West: 3.4 %, East: 8.3 % compared to 1994). The discrepancy to the collective wage level in the West decreased in 2009. East Germany now achieves 88% of the level of remuneration in West Germany (2008: 86 %). The average level of training remuneration based on collective wage agreements for the whole of Germany in 2009 was €666 per month. This represents an increase of 3.7 % compared to the level of the previous year, which was €642. The results have been published by the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and training (BIBB) in its Evaluation of training allowances based on collective wage agreements for the year 2009.
Figure1
Average remunerations were calculated for 184 occupations in West Germany and 148 occupations in East Germany. 88% of trainees undergo training in these occupations.
There are considerable differences between training occupations in the amount of remuneration paid (see Figure 2). The highest training allowances by some distance were achieved in the occupation of inland bargeman, where monthly remuneration was €949 per month in both West and East Germany. High levels of pay have also been agreed in occupa-tions within the construction industry for some considerable time (such as bricklayer). The average in this sector for 2009 was €895 in West Germany and €709 in East Germany. High training allowances were also paid in such occupations as mechatronics fitter, where the av-erage for West and East Germany was €842 and €821 respectively, and industrial and finan-cial services broker where the amount of remuneration was €831 in both parts of the country.
Training allowances tended to be lower, on the other hand, in such occupations as painter and varnisher (West: €421, East: €388), hairdresser (West: €449 €, East: €269), florist (West: €460, East: €312) and baker (West: €478, East: €390).
Figure 2
In considering the occupationally specific average values calculated, it needs to be remembered that training allowances based on collective wage agreements may frequently vary considerably depending on region or branch of trade and industry. Account also needs to be taken of the fact that training allowances based on collective wage agreements only apply to in-company training. Trainees in publicly funded extra-company schemes usually receive much lower levels of remuneration which are not included here.
The overall distribution of training allowances in the occupations forming the object of investigation for the year 2009 was as follows. In West Germany, allowances for 52% of trainees were between €500 and €749. 9% of trainees received less than €500, whereby there was virtually no incidence of remunerations under €400. 39% of trainees were paid €750 or more. In East Germany, training allowances of between €500 and €749 were recorded for around 40% of trainees. A further 40% earned less than €500, and 10% were even paid under €400. 21% of trainees received €750 or more.
BIBB also calculated average levels of remuneration for female and male trainees. This revealed that male trainees received an average of €692 and female trainees an average of €658. The corresponding averages for East Germany were €610 and €569 respectively. The reason for these deviations in average training allowances is the fact that young women are more likely than young men to be found in occupations which pay a lower level of remuneration.
Figure 3
Significant differences in the level of remuneration also existed between training sectors in West and East Germany in 2009 (see Figure 3). Above-average training allowances were achieved in trade and industry (West: €751, East: €656) and in the public sector (West: €739, East: €740). Remunerations below the respective average level were, however, paid in craft trades, the liberal professions and in agriculture. Notwithstanding this, consideration needs to be accorded to the fact that levels of remuneration differ very widely between individual occupations in both trade and industry and the craft trades.
All amounts stated are average remunerations throughout the whole of the period of training. The values calculated for individual training years for 2009 are as follows.
- In West Germany, average monthly levels of remuneration were €610 for the first training year, €673 for the second and €749 for the third.
- In East Germany, average monthly levels of remuneration were €534 for the first training year, €597 for the second and €653 for the third.
For further information in English, please visit the BIBB website at http://www.bibb.de/en/783.htm .
