Teenagers who have failed to become apprentices in trade or industry are still required to attend school up to twelve years of schooling in Bavaria. In the last years the number of these adolescents without apprenticeship increased. Most of these adolescents come from families with low socioeconomic backgrounds and did not gain a good school leaving certificate. They are required to attend vocational schools. The following study attempts to clarify the situation of the adolescents without apprenticeship. The students were asked for their opinion about the lessons and the education they receive at the moment. Furthermore, they are compared to apprentices from the same vocational school with a standardised mental health screening instrument, the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire. Results indicate that the students without apprenticeship show more-than-average levels of problems. Hence, it cannot surprise that teachers find it difficult to deal with these students. It might be worthwhile considering the inclusion of social workers and psychological experts to support teachers as well as their students to alleviate the problems of adolescents without apprenticeship. © 2008 Schattauer GmbH.
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