The present paper analyzes recent developments in the apprenticeship system in the banking sector. The vocation of bank clerk has traditionally been identified with high social recognition and broad skills and has been regarded as a good starting point for a career. However, for some years the perspectives of the occupation have been deteriorating. In contrast to the arguments in some contributions to the discussion in the social sciences, this development is not rooted in general problems of the adaptability of this occupation to innovative and knowledge-based forms of work organization. On the contrary, the process of reorganization in the banking sector has led to a reduced demand for skills in the central employment area of bank clerks, the retail units. In the course of financialization, divisionalization, and segmentation, which are the core elements of reorganization, the dual apprenticeship system is indreasingly subject to high cost pressures. Moreover, a gap is arising between the demand for skills, the occupational profile, and the training practices in the banks. While the large private banks are adapting their training practices to the new demands at the expense of the occupational profile, other banking groups are producing a surplus of skills with problematic consequences for personnel policy. © Lucius & Lucius Verlag Stuttgart.
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