Why young immigrants are more likely to drop out of their education

2023-11-23 18:10:36

There is a shortage of skilled workers on the German labor market. According to the Institute for Labor Market and Occupational Research (IAB), there are currently around 1.73 million job vacancies nationwide. The immigration of workers therefore plays a key role in combating the hardships. However, this can only contribute to a solution if integration into the labor market is successful.

Migrant trainees in particular have more difficulties than German trainees in successfully completing their training and integrating into the labor market. This is shown by the “Integration at Work” study published by the University of Konstanz on Wednesday. The researchers attribute a crucial role to the dual training system for successful integration into the labor market, through which many young immigrants find their way into the labor market. Immigrant trainees often lack the formal and linguistic requirements for studying or immediate employment.

According to the study, the dropout rates for foreign trainees are often significantly higher than for trainees with a German passport. In order to understand the reasons for this, the researchers evaluated data from a long-term study in which 1,139 both German and migrant trainees have been questioned about their training since 2021.

Motivation and language skills are particularly important

Accordingly, the most important drivers that contribute to the successful completion of training include individual requirements such as education and language skills as well as motivation. “Motivation and language skills play a particularly strong role,” says Florian Kunze, who leads the research project. Good language skills among foreign trainees reduce the willingness to quit by almost half.

The desired training also plays a big role. If immigrant trainees cannot begin their desired training, the intention to quit is 31 percentage points higher. In addition to skilled trades, care and health activities in particular would be affected by a possible termination. Sectors in which there is already a particularly pronounced shortage situation, but which at the same time place high demands, especially in the area of ​​language. “A lot still needs to happen here,” says Kunze.

Bettina Weiguny Published/Updated: , Recommendations: 37 Wibke Becker and Alexander Wulfers Published/Updated: Recommendations: 35 Patricia Andreae Published/Updated:

The data show that social support at work can influence intention to quit. Accordingly, the support of colleagues can reduce the intention of immigrant trainees to quit by half. You should therefore rely on help with pre-qualification and for your first time in the company. According to Kunze, companies should ensure that “there is no direct or indirect discrimination” and that there is an inclusive culture in the workplace.