Brandenburg's Public Sector Wage Push: Nursing Trainees Gain €175 While Tax Offices Hunt 225 New Recruits
Published on 08/03/2026 at 00:51 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
The competition for skilled workers across Germany's public sector is intensifying, and the eastern state of Brandenburg is making its move on multiple fronts. A new collective agreement will put more money in the pockets of over 300 nursing trainees, while the state's tax administration embarks on its largest hiring drive in years.
Nursing apprentices see pay bump and shorter hours
After negotiations concluded in late July, the employers GLG and MSZ Uckermark reached a deal with the ver.di union covering more than 300 trainees and students in the Barnim and Uckermark health regions. The package, effective retroactively from April 2026, delivers a cumulative pay increase of €175 per month. Those in their third training year can expect up to €1,675 monthly.
The agreement extends beyond salaries. Holiday pay rises to €400, and starting in 2027 the weekly working time drops to 38.5 hours. Trainees also gain more flexible vacation arrangements and a binding guarantee of employment upon successful completion of their program. The collective contract runs through March 31, 2028.
Tax offices open applications for 2027 intake
Meanwhile, Brandenburg's finance administration is casting a wide net. Starting in summer 2027, 225 new recruits will join the state's tax offices — split between 105 apprenticeship slots and 120 university study places distributed across all 13 local tax authorities. Applications are already being accepted.
Finance Minister Daniel Keller stressed that reliable tax revenue underpins essential public services. Even as the rest of the state administration faces planned budget cuts, the tax offices remain shielded from reductions. Candidates with a strong affinity for information technology are particularly encouraged to apply.
Handicraft sector shows growth, but mismatches persist
The broader training market in Brandenburg offers a mixed picture. The Cottbus Chamber of Skilled Crafts registered 450 new apprenticeship contracts in July — an increase of more than seven percent. In-demand trades include plant mechanics, roofers, hairdressers and carpenters.
Yet the underlying numbers reveal persistent friction. Roughly 5,000 open positions stand against about 5,100 job seekers. The regional disparity is stark: in Eberswalde, 704 young people are searching for apprenticeships, but only 509 slots are available. Carina Knie-Nürnberg of the local employment agency is pushing for a faster matching process between supply and demand.
West German states raise the stakes for teachers
Brandenburg isn't alone in sweetening its employment offers. North Rhine-Westphalia has moved decisively on teacher pay: since August 1, all fully qualified educators at primary, lower-secondary and intermediate schools receive uniform A13 salary classification — worth up to €700 more per month. Hesse and Bavaria have announced plans to follow suit by summer 2028. The scramble for talent in Germany's public sector is now clearly crossing state borders.
Disclaimer regarding our articles: No investment advice, no buy or sell recommendation. Information on prices, companies, and markets is provided without guarantee; changes are possible at any time. Stock market transactions can lead to substantial losses. Our articles are created and reviewed in whole or in part automatically with the support of AI.
