"In Germany, 61 percent of all apprentices receive full-time employment at the company where they train. And the rate is growing, according to the latest statistics from the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry, DIHK ... Compared to other countries in the 27-nation European Union, Germany's export-driven economy is going fairly strong despite challenging economic conditions. The overall unemployment rate in Germany is 6.5 percent." (Quoted from article)