Peoployer
Every detail of the application process for those who want to learn a trade while working in Germany.
Ausbildung is the cornerstone of Germany's vocational training system: a model that combines theoretical education at a vocational school with practical training at a company, typically lasting 2 to 3.5 years, with a regular salary paid throughout. For those looking to learn a trade while working abroad, it offers a shorter, more direct path to a concrete profession and a strong chance of employment compared to a university degree.
How Ausbildung works
Throughout the program, students attend theoretical classes at a vocational school on certain days of the week, while working at a company the rest of the time — and are paid a monthly training wage for that work. This wage varies by industry and region, but is designed to largely cover a student's living costs in Germany. The certificate awarded at the end (Ausbildungszeugnis) is an official vocational qualification recognized in Germany and many other European countries.
What to know about the application process
- German language proficiency of at least B1-B2 is typically expected; preparing a language certificate before applying is critical.
- Applications go directly to companies; your CV, cover letter, and school transcripts should be prepared in German.
- The training contract (Ausbildungsvertrag) issued by the company is the core document for the visa process.
- Diploma recognition and translation of prior education documents should be completed before applying.
Another appealing part of Ausbildung is that, once training ends, there's a good chance the company will hire the candidate full-time directly — many businesses prefer to keep the person they trained. That makes it worth treating the process not just as training, but as a long-term career and relocation plan.
The most time-consuming part of the process is usually language preparation and finding the right company; that's why starting with at least a 6-12 month preparation timeline before applying helps manage both the language requirement and the paperwork smoothly.