In Germany, there are numerous fields (more than 330 kinds of professions) of recognized vocational trainings/apprenticeships e.g. Baker, Doctor's Assistant, Hairdresser, Auto-Mechatronics, Craftsman, Office Clerk, etc. At the end of the vocational training program, a trainee has to pass theoretical and practical exams to obtain a recognized certificate.

Before beginning vocational training, an agreement (in German called “Berufsausbildungsvertrag”) should be signed between the trainee and training company to clarify: training wages, vacation days, working hours, and the duration of company training, etc.

After completing your vocational training, your residence permit may be (in most cases) extended for a year by competent foreign nationals' registration authority to allow you to find a job that matches your qualifications.

|IMPORTANT NOTE !!

1. Not all companies or factories are certified to offer vocational training programs, you have to make sure you apply to the right one.
2. After completing the vocational training´s final certificate is recognized over the whole of Germany for your professional training.

❖ Learn and earn

Learning your dream profession by attending vocational training is a wonderful thing to ensure a job ticket for a shiny future! But earning money while you learning is a great deal!

The trainee earns between 300 to 1200 Euros per month from the training company. Wage (in German called “Ausbildungsvergütung”) can vary depending on the vocational training´s kind and on the training company.  

❖ Good career prospects

A trainee has a great opportunity after completing vocational training and gaining a few years of experience to graduate from the university or to set up own business. The German labor market in high demand for those professionals who have a good vocational qualification.

❖ Great opportunities to be hired

DO NOT miss the chance! During the in-company practical training, the trainee has a great opportunity not only to gain qualification, experience and earn money but also to know a lot about the company and its operations and departments, your supervisor and colleagues that lead to getting a permanent job after completing your vocational training program, of course, if you prove your qualifications in your profession and your soft skills. More than 70% of all trainees get a permanent job with their companies after completing vocational training by them.

1. Dual Vocational Training (in German called “Betriebliche Ausbildung, Duale Berufsausbildung or Duale Ausbildung”)

❖ What Is Dual Vocational Training?

Dual vocational training is the classic form one and, most trainees (more than 70%) are attending this form because of its advantages. “Dual” means that as a trainee you will visit two learning locations at the same time; 1) a specialized vocational school/institute (in German called “Berufsschule”) for one or two days per week to obtain the necessary theoretical knowledge for your profession, but also general subjects such as German language and math, etc., these schools or institutes are state-run in most cases (in German called Staatliche Schulen) and, 2) you have to attend two to three days in the training company/organization or factory that offers the essential training to gain practical experience (in German called “Betriebliche Erfahrung”). The company training offers you an opportunity to continue working with them later. However, your training company is not obliged to take you on (hire you). In other words: Dual Vocational Training: simultaneously, the trainee works in a training company and also attends a vocational school “Berufsschule”.

❖ What Are the Benefits of Attending a Dual Vocational Training?

The main advantage of attending dual vocational training is the trainee can combine the practical training (real live work) in the training company/organization or factory with the theoretical basics of the vocational school. In addition, the trainee earns a salary (wage) between 300 to 1200 Euros per month from the training company. Wage (in German called “Ausbildungsvergütung”) can vary depending on the vocational training kind and on the training company also, depending on the applicable collective agreements including health care, pension plan, vacation days, etc., the general rule is the big companies pay much better than small ones. Moreover, trainees awarded a recognized certificate.

2. School-Based Vocational Training “Schulische Ausbildung/Berufsfachschulen”

School-Based Vocational Training is often also referred to as “full-time school education” because it is only completed at school institutions.  In these schools, both parts (theoretical and practical) are taught at school and interconnect (supplemented) with an internship in an institute/organization.

There are two kinds of school-based vocational training: 1) State-run vocational schools and, 2) Private vocational schools. These kinds of schools are primarily available for medical, social-pedagogical (educational), technology and IT, etc. assistant jobs or foreign language jobs. For Example: Educator, Geriatric Care Assistant, Speech Therapist, Machine Operator, Technical Assistant for IT jobs, etc. It is a full-time tuition, therefore also called full-time education. This does not mean that work practice is neglected. In most cases, school lessons are bounded with several internship periods. Many of these schools are working closely with companies or organizations, nursing schools are even directly interconnected to hospitals or clinics.

❖ What Is the Difference Between State-Run and Private Vocational School?

In contrast to the above mentioned dual vocational training, if you attend state-run vocational school training you do not receive a monthly training wage “Ausbildungsvergütung” from the training company. And by attending a private vocational school training, you will pay school fees. Nevertheless, some schools award scholarships for trainees.