Instanz: TeilenTeilen:Large companies more popular with apprentices than micro-enterprisesDr. Jutta Gröschl Presse- und ÖffentlichkeitsarbeitInstitut für Mittelstandsforschung (IfM) Bonn30.07.2026 11:42The gap between the number of apprentices in large companies and micro-enterprises (up to 9 employees) is continuing to widen: Whilst in 2011, 20.6 per cent of apprentices were employed in micro-enterprises and 25.9 per cent in large enterprises, by the turn of the year 2025/26, only 13.4 per cent of all apprentices were in micro-enterprises, compared with 32.2 per cent in large enterprises. The number of apprentices in the commercial sector and the liberal professions has been rising steadily for the past four years. Conversely, the number of apprenticeship contracts signed in large enterprises is on the rise," reports Dr André Pahnke. At the turn of the year 2025/26, 13.4 per cent of all apprentices were employed in micro-enterprises, compared with 32.2 per cent in large enterprises. In 2011, 20.6 per cent of apprentices were still employed in micro-enterprises and 25.9 per cent in large enterprises.