Introduction:

Your (Ausbildung)training takes place in a company. During your training, you attend 2 days in a week vocational College. This gives you theoretical and practical knowledge about your profession and 3 days work in your company.

School requirements:

From a legal point of view, The training companies can decide for themselves which school qualification they require their trainees to have. As a rule, at least a secondary school certificate is expected, your age should be between 16 and 25 years, Your careers advisor will inform you about this.

Duration of training:

The training period is between 2 and 3.5 years. Depending on your school qualification, the duration can also be shortened.

Salary:

You will receive a salary during your training. This is contractually agreed and is called „Ausbildungsvergütung“ . The amount of the payment varies depending on the training occupation. As a rule, this is also determined by a collective agreement. The average training allowance in 2023 was 1,066 euros gross per month (+ 3.7% compared to the previous year). This is based on surveys by the Federal Institute for Vocational Training (BIBB).

Please note: The figures only refer to collectively agreed training allowances. This means that only trainee salaries that are paid according to a collective agreement are included in the calculation.

Training contract:

Before the start of a company-based training course, a written training contract is concluded. It contains certain minimum information:

+Aim and structure of the vocational training with a precise training plan.

+Start and duration of your training.

+Training measures outside the training facility.

+Duration of regular daily working hours, probationary period and vacation.

+Payment and amount of training "Ausbildungsvergütung".

+Conditions under which the contract can be terminated.

+Reference to collective agreements and agreements that apply to your contract.

Probationary period:

The training relationship begins with the probationary period. During the probationary period, you check whether you have chosen the right profession. The training company also asks itself whether you are a good fit. The probationary period lasts at least one month and a maximum of four months. During the probationary period, you can terminate the contract without giving any reason. The training company can do the same. The termination must be in writing.

Insurance

Health insurance: As a student, you are obliged to take out your own health insurance.

Other insurance: You also have to pay the following contributions:

Pension insurance (Rentenversicherung)

Long-term care insurance (Pflegeversicherung)

Unemployment insurance (Arbeitslosenversicherung)

Your training company pays almost half of these insurance contributions. If you receive less than 325 euros in training remuneration, the employer pays the full social security contributions. Your employer registers you for these insurances. So you are automatically insured when you start a company-based training program.

Accommodation:

If you have to move to another location for your vocational training, a youth hostel might be the right choice for you.

There are more than 500 youth hostels in Germany. You can rent a cheap room there if you are between 14 and 27 years old and are doing a school or company-based training course.

The hostels offer single, double or shared rooms. There is food there and you can spend your free time together with other trainees. There are also support staff on hand to give you advice and support.