Training with AI and truly reaching young talents

AI-generated image: Rosi Thiedmann next to a red robot explaining the relationships between current, voltage, resistance, and Ohm's law to young people.

When I was still guiding apprentices into their professional lives, a secure job was often enough to be considered an attractive employer. Things are different today.

Young people expect more, and rightly so. They want to be taken seriously, see opportunities for development, and be able to help shape their lives. At the same time, some of them bring with them insecurities. There are learning gaps, language barriers, or simply being overwhelmed by the countless options.

Attracting young people to training and retaining them in the company today requires more than just good onboarding. It requires a genuine understanding of what learning means today and how artificial intelligence can help make training more humane, flexible, and successful.

Between opportunities and dropout – what challenges education poses today

I was seriously shocked when I looked at the current statistics. Almost a third of all apprenticeships in Germany are terminated prematurely. Many of them during the probationary period. The reasons range from unclear expectations and misunderstandings to a lack of guidance.

But the pace of the world also has a significant impact on entry into professional life. Perhaps you're feeling it in your company, too. Two years of teaching under pandemic conditions have left their mark. Some trainees begin with academic deficits, others with impressive technical understanding. The contrast is stark, as are the demands on trainers.

AI can be a real lever here. Good, personalized support is still needed. AI can be a tool that enables individualized learning , especially when time is short.

AI creates new learning opportunities

A rigid training concept hardly does justice to the diversity of today's young talent. Some need more explanation, others more challenge. Tarring everyone with the same brush overwhelms some and bores others.

Adaptive learning is key here. AI-supported systems analyze how someone learns and automatically adapt content, pace, and format. Some students receive structured texts. Another receives a learning video with illustrative examples. Those who are unsure about a particular area receive targeted exercises.

Such systems work like a digital learning coach. They motivate, rehearse, provide feedback, and are available at any time. Providers such as area9 LYCEUM and Masterplan demonstrate how this can work in practice.

AI in practice for training managers

Anyone who thinks this is only for large companies is mistaken. Platforms like Netzwerk Q 4.0 offer a clear collection of tools, methods, and examples for practical training with the AI Compass .

The content is clearly structured into learning phases and can be applied immediately, from explaining technical terms to visualizing complex processes.

A practical example:

I wanted to make Ohm's law tangible for trainees. A topic I found difficult even in school.

So I asked ChatGPT:

“Explain Ohm’s law like you would to a 5-year-old.”

The answer came as a water metaphor—with a tap, a pipe, and a stream of electricity. Simple. Understandable. And suddenly, the knot was broken for me, too.

Language that connects

Many trainees begin with linguistic insecurity. AI can bridge this gap through translations, simplifications, or visualizations. Whether someone comes from a different country of origin or simply didn't grow up with technical terminology, those who understand better learn more easily and feel a sense of belonging more quickly.

Dr. Christoph Metzler from the German Economic Institute calls this one of the greatest opportunities of AI: It can help people feel understood both linguistically and culturally in the workplace.

How roles in training are changing

The roles in training are changing noticeably. Trainers, in particular, are now more like coaches than teachers. AI is transforming not only learning processes but also relationships.

When young people discover many things on their own, a new kind of support is needed. No longer: "I'll explain to you how it works," but rather: "I'll support you in figuring it out for yourself."

Nevertheless, especially in skilled trades and technical professions, demonstrating, demonstrating, and demonstrating craftsmanship remain crucial. AI cannot replace interpersonal contact. Real role models remain important.

Taking responsibility when dealing with AI

What is permitted and what is not must be clear. Dr. Metzler reports from training courses how important ethical issues have become.

What happens if trainees upload private data or use AI to make fun of team members? Clear rules are needed here. Furthermore, there is a need for experimentation to gain confidence in using AI. Because some mistakes aren't intentional, but rather due to ignorance. Conscious experimentation gives trainees the opportunity to make mistakes in a safe environment and learn from them.

AI offers opportunities for everyone who collaborates with young talent. Try out how AI can make collaboration easier for you:

💡 AI prompt for training managers

"Explain the principle of the rule of three to first-year apprentices. Please use simple language and include an example from everyday work, e.g., from production, logistics, or sales."