A trend has been seen in last a few years that more people have been curious to know about the dual vocational training programs offered in Germany. Unlike in any other country, vocational training courses offered in Germany are full of varieties and are popular in Germany and also among foreign students. Before we talk about the benefits and content these programs, let’s understand the dual vocational training system. Dual Vocational Training system is a combination of theory and practice which provides you a vocational training programme which you can do for your future occupation in Germany. These programs offer plenty of opportunities for on-the-job training and work experience. A vocational training which we call ‘Ausbildung’ in German, is focused more on the practical training, so that the industries get fully trained people to work for them and demand of skilled workers can be fulfilled.
You can do a vocational training in your preferred occupation from the list of approximately 300 plus occupations. The duration of these Programs is usually between two and three and a half years and consist of theoretical as well as practical elements. You generally spend one or two days a week, or several weeks at once, at vocational school, which is called ‘Berufschule’ in German, where you will acquire the theoretical knowledge required in your future occupation. The rest of the time you spend at a company, where you get to apply your newly acquired knowledge in practice, for example by learning to operate machinery or the tools required in your occupation. You will get to know what your company does, an learn how it operates and find out if you can see yourself working there after completing your training.
There are excellent job opportunities for those who have completed a dual vocational training in Germany. That is why most of German students like to go for a dual vocational training. As per the publicly available facts, two third of the German students leaving school prefer to go for a dual vocational training.
When we talk about any study or training program in a foreign country, the first thought which comes in our minds is ‘What will be the cost?’. Actually a vocational training is not exactly a university course program which can have a tuition fee. They are kind of sponsored educational programs and the real sponsor of your vocational training will be your employer. The vocational training programs in Germany are not popular only because they consist of theory and on job training, these training programs are popular because of the financial support for the students from the employers which is a mandatory part here.
Students who have enrolled in a vocational training programme go to the workplace and work there for the company, in return they become financially independent, since they receive a monthly salary from the employer for their work. Some employer can also offer some extra benefits like a free accommodation, but this totally depends on your occupation and the employer. The monthly salary you receive from the employer increases every year. This salary can be however different in different occupations but on an average monthly salary of the trainees is approx. EUR 987. But here some part of your salary can be deducted for the social security contributions and an annual salary of more than EUR 9984 will also be subject to income tax as per the regulations.
The basic requirement to start a vocational training is your German language skills and your school leaving certificates. You should be at least A2 or B1 level certified in German to start a vocational training. Many of the vocational training programs start in August or September each year. But some of the employers have the vacancies throughout the year. The programs include on the job training at the company as well as theoretical training in the vocational training school, called Berufschule in German, which can include the subjects like German, English and social studies. The employer provide you approx. 24 days annual leaves, which you can avail at the time of your school holidays with prior permission from your employer. Your vocational training courses also include assessment tests and final exams.
The employer offering the vocational training (Ausbildung), concludes a contract with the trainee. Trainees are employees and vocational school students at the same time. They receive payment throughout the whole training period. When you perform well in the exams your vocational training, you have very good career prospects and chances of a permanent position in the same company which is providing you the vocational training.
When you pass the final exam, you will be ready to explore the job opportunities in your occupation. Since you will not only have a theoretical knowledge of your occupation but also 3 years of experience, a preference will be given to you by the future employer. Your work experience in your occupation during the vocational training adds additional value in your resume and thus the number of opportunities are more and more for the professionals with a vocational training certificate. The demand of skilled and trained people is increasing in Germany and the companies are looking for the desired candidates.
On an average two third of the professionals who have completed an Ausbildung or a vocational training get a permanent job with the same employer which provided them the training. Other professionals prefer to search for jobs at different locations in different companies.
Since the professionals who have completed a dual vocational training have worked for their employers in their respective occupations during the entire vocational training, this practical work is considered by the most of future employers as a proper work experience and thus these professionals do not exactly remain a fresher candidate for the companies. This is the reason the job prospects are always high for you.
Here You can see a list of some occupations which can help you to choose a suitable program for your own career: