Matthias Flohr

Matthias Flohr serves as a Research Fellow at the WZB Berlin Social Science Center within the Research Department Skill Formation and Labor Markets since November 2017, focusing on youth labor market integration and vocational training systems in Germany.

His educational background includes:

• Master of Arts in Social Policy (2017) from the Research Center on Inequality and Social Policy at the University of Bremen
• Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with Political Science minor (2014) from the University of Mannheim

Flohr's research examines how regional labor market structures and social networks influence occupational aspirations and job-search strategies among young people. His work investigates recruitment practices in the German apprenticeship market, emphasizing spatial disparities, referral mechanisms through strong social ties, and the interplay between residential location and career choices. This research bridges sociological theory with labor market policy analysis.

His recent publications reveal consistent methodological rigor in analyzing youth labor market entry, with recurring themes in spatial inequality, social network effects, and structural constraints on vocational choices. The 2020-2023 publications demonstrate an evolving focus from regional occupational structures to granular examination of job-search tactics and employer recruitment behaviors.

Flohr contributed significantly to the completed project "Matching Young People to Apprenticeships in Challenging Times - Employers' Recruitment and Selection Practices in the German Apprenticeship Market," which analyzed employer decision-making during economic uncertainty.