Nearly a quarter of German apprentices (“Auszubildende”) report frequent or constant psychological strain during their training, according to a joint study by the Bertelsmann Foundation and the German Economic Institute (IW), as reported by trade publication Haufe Arbeitsschutz. About 15 percent of surveyed apprentices — roughly one in seven — say they experience severely impaired well-being.
Strong link to dropping out early
The study shows a clear link between well-being and the likelihood of quitting early: among apprentices with severely impaired well-being, nearly 74 percent seriously consider quitting their training, compared with just 12 percent among those with stable well-being. Among those who have actually quit or seriously considered it, psychological strain is cited most often as the main reason. Despite these figures, around 90 percent of all surveyed apprentices say they are satisfied with their training overall.
Costs for companies and limited support
According to the study, 62 percent of surveyed companies report reduced apprentice productivity due to mental health issues. Each dropout is estimated to cost a company around €20,000 in lost investment and resources. While many companies offer support — such as stress-management training and information on mental health — such programs are significantly less available at small and medium-sized enterprises than at large companies with 250 or more employees. Moreover, just over a third of apprentices are aware of the support services available, and 35 percent avoid discussing psychological strain for fear of professional disadvantage.
For EHS professionals, this is relevant because it shows that psychosocial workload does not only affect experienced employees, but also young workers just entering the workforce — a group that often lacks a strong position to raise concerns. Researchers call for more openness about mental health in the workplace, expanded prevention programs, and better training for instructors, with roughly half of the surveyed companies themselves indicating a need for this.
Source: Ausbildungsabbruch oft durch psychische Belastungen bedingt, Haufe Arbeitsschutz, September 11, 2026, https://www.haufe.de/arbeitsschutz/gesundheit-umwelt/ausbildung-mentale-probleme-fuehren-am-haeufigsten-zu-abbruch_94_697682.html
