Saxony-Anhalt's students are practically active: internship bonuses are booming!

Saxony-Anhalt's students are practically active: internship bonuses are booming!

Student holiday internships are very popular in Saxony-Anhalt. This year, almost 1,400 students have already taken advantage of the opportunity to gain practical experience. Economics Minister Sven Schulze (CDU) is pleased with the increasing numbers and reports an increase in funding for the craft sector from 200,000 to 260,000 euros. Accordingly, young people receive 120 euros per week for a voluntary internship - up to four times a year.

An important point in this framework is the requirement that students must be at least 15 years old to be able to apply for the grant. Compared to the previous year, demand has grown steadily: While 925 applications were approved in 2024, this year there are already almost 1,250.

Internship bonus in detail

The internship bonus was introduced in summer 2020 to give young people practical insights into skilled trades. A total of around 4,000 students have now benefited from this financial support, primarily from the craft sector. It is noteworthy that around 3,700 young people completed an internship in the skilled trades areas and 273 in the green professions that focus on environmental and nutritional aspects.

The regional differences in the use of this bonus are particularly highlighted. In the chamber district of the Halle (Saale) Chamber of Crafts, interest in student holiday internships is significantly greater than in the chamber district of the Magdeburg Chamber of Crafts. This is also reflected in the large number of internship positions available, which are offered by agricultural and forestry companies, especially in rural regions.

Application process made easy

Applying for the bonus is relatively straightforward for students. All students aged 15 and over at general or vocational schools in Saxony-Anhalt are entitled to this, be it secondary schools, comprehensive schools or high schools. It is important that the internship contract is submitted to the Chamber of Crafts before the internship begins and that the internship period lasts at least one week. Up to four weeks of internships can be funded per year, whether in different companies or in a single company.

After completing the internship, two original documents must be submitted: a time sheet and a survey form for the student holiday internship. The bonus will then be transferred to the specified account. If you need more information about this, you can read it on the website of the Magdeburg Chamber of Crafts and contact the responsible contact person, Heike Müller, directly. The details can be found here: Magdeburg Chamber of Crafts and Halle Chamber of Crafts.

The positive outcome of the internship bonus so far shows that the initiative not only helps students gain an exciting insight into the world of work, but also benefits the trades that are urgently looking for young talent. With the continuous increase in applications and solid planning of the budget for 2026, nothing stands in the way of successful progress.