Deutsche Bahn (DB) has announced plans to hire approximately 5,700 trainees and dual study students in autumn 2025, maintaining its commitment to recruiting young talent.
Despite ongoing changes under DB’s S3 restructuring programme, this drive demonstrates a continued focus on operational roles essential to rail services in Germany.
The roles prioritised for 2025 reflect the demand for operational expertise across the railway sector. The breakdown includes:
- Railway workers in train traffic control: 970 positions
- Railway workers in operations/train drivers: 860 positions
- Electronics technicians in industrial engineering: 820 positions
- Mechatronics engineers: 385 positions
- Merchants for transport services: 270 positions
In 2024, around 6,000 young professionals joined DB. Recruitment in 2025 will be slightly reduced due to the completion of the sale of DB Schenker.
“Even as we restructure, we will continue to invest consistently in our young talent. In the operational area, we will continue to hire without restriction. The persistently high demand in the direct rail business - especially for train drivers, maintenance staff, train traffic controllers and service staff - requires this. Anyone who is needed for operations, quality and safety will be hired.
“And despite the current challenge of making DB competitive again, the collective agreement guarantees that all young employees will be taken on after they have successfully completed their initial training.”
DB’s S3 programme, launched in autumn 2024, aims to restructure the organisation across three focus areas: infrastructure, railway operations, and profitability.
The programme will run until the end of 2027 and includes measures to streamline overall personnel requirements. However, DB has clarified that recruitment for railway-specific roles will remain a priority to ensure operational quality and safety.
To attract young talent, DB has implemented several new initiatives, including a virtual 3D job exploration platform at experience.db.jobs. Through this platform, prospective applicants can explore roles in an interactive setting, such as maintaining an ICE train or testing operational systems.
DB has also strengthened its school and university outreach, with around 700 school partnerships and collaborations with over 100 universities. Community recruiters are engaging directly with schools and local organisations, particularly in rural areas, to promote career opportunities within the group.
Applications for DB roles can be submitted online, via chatbot, or through voice input, with the process taking as little as four minutes.
With approximately 15,000 young employees, DB remains one of Germany’s largest training providers. The company offers 50 apprenticeship programmes and 25 dual study pathways, reinforcing its role as a key player in the development of Germany’s future workforce.
