• Apprentices and dual students

One group – two brands

At Deutsche Bank, we offer a variety of apprenticeships and dual study programs. The concepts and processes are developed and coordinated by our overarching team of apprenticeship and junior talent for the brands of Deutsche Bank and Postbank. The recruitment and marketing differs for both brands due to different distribution channels and job profiles.

The major recruitment challenges in 2020 included the suitability of applications, a diversification of interest by pupils into other sectors, as well as the trend of entry-level talent to pursue academic degrees (“academization”). Our apprentices and dual students help diversify the organization and bring highly relevant skills to support the needs of the future workforce and clients. To match the digital experience this group is accustomed to, we strengthened the presence of both brands in online portals, virtual fairs and social media channels, and the application process was fully digitalized in 2020.

During the pandemic we hosted the 570 early career talent of our class 2020 in a virtual introductory week. We developed a fully virtual approach to practical and theoretical training in line with curricula requirements. In the summer, Postbank apprentices and dual students were equipped with tablet computers to access digital learning. For consulting purposes, this is already common practice for our Deutsche Bank bankers and dual students.

In cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, we implemented a blended-learning concept with digital components such as live online training, online nuggets, podcasts and learning clips for bankers and IT  apprentices. We look forward to implementing this innovative approach for all apprentices and dual study students in the near future.

Graph showing number of various virtual events

In 2021, while retaining the Postbank and Deutsche Bank brands, we will be further aligning the selection process as well as communication and training platforms. This will also include a further drive to digitalize our evaluation processes and qualification certificates.

Apprentices in Germany

In headcount if not stated otherwise 202020192018
Number of apprentices 1,444 1,499 1,459
Female share of apprentices 42.0% 41.9% 45.1%
Apprentices ratio 4.2% 3.6% 3.4%
Hired apprentices 570 667 607
Takeover of apprentices into employment 364 394 468
Share of apprentices taken over into employment 63% 63% 59%
Expenses for apprenticeship programs in € million. 39 37 39
Ø Expenses for apprenticeship programs per employee (apprentice) in € thousand. 29 28 29

In 2020, we hired 570 apprentices for our 13 apprenticeship and dual study professions of Deutsche Bank and Postbank (2019: 667) out of the 22,000 who applied.

In the summer, 364 of the apprenticeship and dual study graduates accepted an offer of employment (2019: 394).

Diversity on all levels – 8 apprenticeship and 5 dual study professions in 11 different business units, this is our class of 2020

Graph showing details of apprentices and dual students

Circle with number 570

Total number
89 Dual students
481 Apprentices

Symbols for male and female

Gender distri­bution
335 Male students
235 Female students

Symbol of two flags

National­ities
31

Apprenticeships

Overview apprenticeships

Dual study programs

Overview dual study programs

Excellent concepts for our early career staff

Professional education and qualification remain a priority for the Bank and form an important part of our early career strategy. In 2020, the excellent quality of Deutsche Bank apprenticeships was recognized by Capital, the finance magazine, which rated the Bank as one of the best companies offering this training in Germany.

The apprenticeships of both brands are aligned to the following three pillars:

  • Theory

    Expertise and theoretical content by vocational schools and renowned partner universities is deepened by structured training of various educational partners. Digital and in-person content is combined. The preparation for the final exams is supported with customized seminars.

  • Practice

    All of our apprentices and dual students go through different areas of responsibility and teams during the practical phases to gain a broad overview of all relevant topics. We support the learning process with subject-specific training, virtual training modules, and workshops. This ensures a comprehensive transfer of knowledge from theory to practice.

  • Responsibility

    Personal responsibility and motivation are essential parts of our concept. Apprentices and dual students are encouraged to deal independently with vocational training content and to approach their own behavior critically and constructively. Early career staff members are given the opportunity to think outside the box in professional or social projects, in workshops or regional exchanges.

In order to retain early career talent beyond their apprenticeships and dual studies, we focus on individual strengths and interests and provide flexibility. We offer part-time studies (for example dual master-programs or working student activities), as well as accompanying programs for early career staff in their first customer responsibility.