If you have moved to Germany and are looking for work, you should know that there is a training course on German soil that seems to be the secret behind the low youth unemployment rate, as confirmed by Eurostat data.
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This training pathway is called Ausbildung or dual vocational training.
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WORK IN GERMANY: WHAT IS AUSBILDUNG?
Ausbildung is an alternative pathway to standard secondary education and involves a combination of school and work to thoroughly learn how to perform a specific trade.
Typically, it is undertaken by those who do not have a diploma or professional qualification but still want to learn a trade, as well as by those who, perhaps tired of their work experiences, decide to get back on track and learn a new profession.
Companies offering Ausbildung are spread across Germany, with nearly 400 jobs involving dual vocational training: from baker to clerk to automotive mechanic.
Almost all professions that do not require a diploma can be recognized at the state level through this type of training.
1) HOW DOES AUSBILDUNG WORK?
Ausbildung essentially divides into a theoretical part and specialization, where the apprentice, called Azubi (Auszubildender), studies at school for eight to twelve hours a week (always during working hours anyway) and spends the rest of the time doing an internship in the company.
There are no night hours, and in general, even overtime is very limited.
Special contracts are provided for mothers or fathers with young children to reduce the number of hours of Ausbildung, but without denying the possibility of participation.
Overall, it lasts between two and three years depending on the type of work learned and is paid between 400 and 800 euros per month.
Not a real salary, therefore, but still a contribution to cover expenses, which in technical language is called Auszubildendenvergütung.
In total, it lasts between two and three and a half years.
Contrary to what you often think, to attend an Ausbildung you do not have to enroll in a school that will send you to an internship in the company, but you must apply just like for a regular job.
Access to Ausbildung actually translates into a formal application similar to that of obtaining a job, which will be evaluated by assessors to decide whether you can participate in this training course or not.
You will then need to have your nice Bewerbung ready, strictly in German, which must contain your Lebenslauf, that is, your CV where you will schematically write and outline all points of your schooling and vocational training, as well as your cover letter.
If you are selected, you will have to attend an interview at the company where you will need to demonstrate both your suitability for this particular course and your motivations for participating.
Remember that places for Ausbildung are limited and that the competition will be fierce: you will need to try to be as convincing as possible to secure a spot.
If you are hired, you will sign a contract with the company.
The contract specifies the rights and duties of both parties, the amount of remuneration, the duration of the training, and the exams to be taken.
Indeed, during the training period, there are generally two exams: a partial exam, to be taken around the middle of the training period, and a final one, at the end of the AusbildungsVertrag, that is, the dual vocational training contract.
The exams will be organized by the chambers of commerce or crafts.
At the end of the exam, you will receive a nationally certified certificate that will allow you to perform the work for which you completed the training course.
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2) WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO ACCESS AUSBILDUNG?
To access the vocational training course, there are no specific requirements other than language requirements, which must be a minimum level of B1/B2 of the European Framework.
To reach this level, you will need to study hard.
Be careful if you are attending an Integrationskurs!
The integration course goes up to level B1, which means that if you are required for Ausbildung at level B2 of the CEFR, you will need to take a private language course to complete.
Regarding qualifications, it is generally not necessary to prepare specifically for Ausbildung: a lower secondary school diploma will suffice.
3) What are the advantages of AUSBILDUNG?
The advantage of the vocational training course benefits both the company that gathers motivated staff to integrate into the company and you, who will have the chance to put into practice what you have learned.
It is not uncommon for the company that offers you the Ausbildung to propose you a contract at the end of the training period, when you and the training company will have gotten to know each other quite well.
Keep in mind that Ausbildung is only a fixed-term contract that naturally expires on the agreed date.
Indeed, it is not uncommon for the company to offer a work contract to its Azubi: therefore, try to perform your Ausbildung impeccably, both in terms of theory and in terms of the practical side during the internship in the company.
You should not underestimate the economic benefits either.
The salary for a job for which you have an Ausbildung certificate is normally paid much more than for one for which you do not have the certificate.
In the absence of Ausbildung, the factor that will raise the salary will be the number of years of experience you have for that specific position.
Remember that these years of experience will need to be demonstrable or you can say goodbye to a salary above average!
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4) WHEN TO APPLY FOR AUSBILDUNG?
Generally, courses start between late August and early September, compatible with the school calendar of the Bundesland where you will participate in the internship, although it is not uncommon to find training courses that start in January.
The best time to apply is therefore several months in advance.
In the case of courses starting in September, the best choice would be to send your Bewerbung at the beginning of the year.
5) Is there an age limit for a DUAL training course?
There is no age limit, although it is much easier for younger boys to participate than for older ones.
If you are a young person who wants to learn a trade or if you are no longer so young but still want to return to the workforce, Ausbildung is the solution for you!
6) HOW TO CHOOSE AUSBILDUNG?
The choice of Ausbildung depends solely on your interests and passions!
Ask yourself a few questions.
What is your dream job?
What profession do you want to invest 2 or 3 years of your life in?
What job will bring me the greatest satisfaction from a professional point of view (but why not? Also financially)?
Do you have the answer?
Good!
This is the Ausbildung for you!
7) HOW TO FIND AN AUSBILDUNG?
There are multiple ways to find Ausbildung.
One initial solution can be to search for it on the Jobboerse portal.
In the “Sie suchen” area, select Ausbildung, then enter the type of training and the city or area where you wish to carry it out.
Click on “Suchen” and find the Ausbildung for you!
Other sites for searching Ausbildung include:
- Planet Beruf
- Ausbildung
- Azubiyo
- Azubister
Once you find the Ausbildung, submit your application and wait for a response, which usually arrives in the case of both positive and negative responses.
A tip for everyone: Do not limit the submission of your Bewerbung to just one Ausbildung.
As mentioned above, access spots are very limited and the people you will have to compete with for your Ausbildungsstelle are many.
It goes without saying that obtaining the opportunity to follow the course is somewhat limited.
Therefore, make sure to apply for as many Ausbildungen as possible, have the best Bewerbung, and go all out during the interview stage.
The rest will come naturally.
Good luck!
Eleonora
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Tag : dual training