Mecklenburg Lake District District Administration: Second TOP award!

Mecklenburg Lake District District Administration: Second TOP award!

July 9, 2025 was a big day for the training landscape in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, as the IHK Neubrandenburg honored 74 companies for their outstanding achievements in vocational training. Among the award winners was the Mecklenburg Lake District district, which received the title of “TOP training company” for the second time in a row. District Administrator Heiko Kärger expressed his delight at the award and emphasized the attractiveness of the district administration as a training facility. “We are very happy about this recognition,” explained Kärger and praised the training team around Susanne Baumann, Ms. Müller and Heike Rechlin for their commitment and great work.

The award of the title “IHK TOP training company” does not come without a certain degree of responsibility. Companies must have consistently provided very good quality training over the last five years in order to be able to apply. Criteria such as the training organization, the support of trainees, career orientation and aspects such as environmental protection and digital transformation play a central role. An independent jury decides on the award of the title, which underlines the importance of this award. At the ceremony were, among others, the President of the Neubrandenburg Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Krister Hennige, and the Minister for Economy, Infrastructure, Tourism and Labor of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Dr. Wolfgang Blank, present.

Challenges in the training landscape

However, alongside the successes, there are also challenges. In 2023, over 73,000 training positions remained unfilled in Germany, which is partly due to unsuitable applications. In recent years, the number of training places has exceeded the number of applicants, making it more difficult to attract young talent. According to the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce, the most common unfilled training positions are in plumbing training.

A current trend shows that more and more young people are seeking training. In 2023, over 690,000 people began vocational training. Careers in office management and automotive mechatronics were particularly popular, with young women often choosing commercial careers and men preferring technical areas. A total of 328 different options are available to young people when it comes to training occupations.

The way into the future

The quality of training in the region not only has a direct impact on the trainees' personal careers, but also on the country's economic development. Trainers must therefore find innovative ways to promote young talent and prepare them for the demands of the digitalized world of work. In this context, the Neubrandenburg Chamber of Industry and Commerce has made an appeal to state politicians. Dr. Wolfgang Blank called for securing vocational school locations, especially in rural areas, and ensuring adequate teaching provision with more teachers.

The district administration in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania with its various training offers - from administrative assistants to geomaticians to dual study programs in civil engineering and social work - is a good example of how to make optimal use of the diverse opportunities offered by youth education. The current training and job offers can be viewed in the career portal on the district's website, which makes it easier for those interested to find out about possible career paths.

The award as a “TOP training company” is therefore not only a flagship for companies, but also an incentive for everyone involved in training. Regional cooperation between business and educational institutions will continue to be of central importance in the future in order to offer young people fair opportunities for a successful professional career.

For further information about training companies and current trends in training, visit the following pages: Strelitzius, IHK Neubrandenburg and Statista.