IHK Dresden Calls for Reform of Vocational School Planning - IHK Dresden Calls for Reform of Vocational School Planning
The Dresden Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) is pushing for major changes to Saxony’s vocational school system. With a growing teacher shortage and outdated facilities, the organisation warns that urgent reforms are needed. A new scholarship programme and a shift in planning priorities form part of their proposed solution.
Saxony currently operates 60 vocational schools across 100 locations—more than all other eastern German states combined. The IHK argues that this spread is inefficient and unsustainable, especially as nearly half of the region’s vocational teachers are set to retire by 2030. To address the issue, the organisation is calling for a ‘location principle’, where training centres are concentrated in areas with high business activity rather than spread thinly for rural policy reasons.
Closing underperforming sites should no longer be off-limits, according to IHK Chief Executive Lukas Rohleder. He insists that consolidating teachers at fewer, better-equipped locations is a practical way to tackle staff shortages and improve education quality. The IHK also wants future planning to focus on sites with strong public transport links and sufficient housing, such as student dormitories. Dresden, in particular, could benefit from these changes.
To attract new teachers, the IHK has launched a scholarship programme offering €500 per month for up to 36 months, starting in the fifth semester of study. The initiative aims to boost the profession’s appeal and secure a new generation of educators. However, the IHK acknowledges that its proposals may meet resistance from district administrators, mayors, and the Saxon state government.
The IHK’s reforms would reduce the number of vocational school sites while improving resources and accessibility. If implemented, the changes could ease teacher shortages and make apprenticeships more attractive. The success of the plan, however, depends on overcoming political opposition and securing long-term funding.
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