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Vocational Training in Germany

What is Vocational Training in Germany?

Vocational training prepares you for occupation or work that requires a special set of skills, such as a technician, craftsman, or electrician. This can include classroom teaching, practical training, or a combination of the two. However, vocational training takes place outside the formal education system to gain practical knowledge and usually results in a vocational qualification certificate or diploma. You can directly receive vocational training as an apprentice from an experienced employer regardless of whether you have a formal qualification or not.

Some examples of vocational training programs are tailoring courses, cooking classes, jewelry designing courses, pottery classes, etc.

Importance of Vocational Training Programs

Following are a few reasons related to the importance of vocational training:

  • It provides you with the required skills and professional training. You can complete vocational training programs outside the formal education system or at the same time along with your formal education.
  • It allows you to find a high-paying job or career almost immediately after completing the programme.
  • After completing the vocational training, you will receive a certificate issued by an independent organisation, proving that your skills and position are better than applicants without formal training.
  • Vocational training helps you in improving your work efficiency and being more productive in your job.
  • The utility of vocational training is direct and obvious.
  • It provides learning opportunities for those who have lost formal education or are uncertain about attending school.
  • It provides you with the opportunity to learn the skills that you like and change your career almost at any time.
  • It provides employment opportunities in small cities and towns, thereby preventing the population from migrating to big cities.
  • Most professional skills are universal, enabling you to work in other countries too.
  • It provides skilled and trained workers to the market and industry.

You must have heard people talking about vocational training in Germany, but do you know why?

It is because of the Skilled Immigration Act of Germany.

Confused?

Don’t worry. Let’s go through both vocational training in Germany and the Skilled Immigration Act in depth.

Skilled Immigration Act

The Skilled Immigration Act of Germany is a new law designed to expand employment opportunities for skilled workers in Germany. Skilled workers from non-EU countries with professional and non-academic training can now immigrate to Germany to find work. The current conditions for qualified professionals in higher education remain unchanged, but the rules have changed. Following are the key details of the law for both qualified, skilled workers and students.

Qualified Workers

  • A person is considered a qualified professional if he/she fulfils any of the following conditions:
  • Completed vocational training qualification from Germany.
  • Completed vocational training qualification from any other country, and recognised in Germany as equivalent.
  • Any person who has a higher education degree comparable to an education degree from Germany.
  • Qualified personnel must have special employment contracts or job opportunities and qualifications recognised by Germany.
  • A qualified worker can continue to engage in the activities he/she is qualified to engage in, and therefore, can also engage in related professional activities.
  • Up to six months residence permit can be provided to qualified professionals to find a job.
  • A qualified worker or professional can attain a permanent settlement permit in Germany after four years of working.

Students or Trainees:

  • Students who want to pursue vocational training are allowed to come to Germany to find a vocational training institution or place.
  • Students who have completed vocational training in Germany are eligible to obtain a permanent residence permit after two years.

What’s New in Vocational Training in Germany?

Germany offers a dual vocational training programme which has opportunities for on-the-job training and acquiring practical work experience. The duration of dual vocational training courses is around two to three years, where you are given both theoretical and practical knowledge. A student is required to spend the initial few weeks with the training school to learn theoretical knowledge required for the job, after which the student is sent to the assigned company for practical experience and practice. The other way of delivering the programme is a day or two spent in the classroom of the participating training center and the remaining days of the week on the work placement.

Dual vocational training in Germany provides you with a step ahead in your work as the course is a combination of theory on skills and practice. There are approximately 325 approved vocational training courses in Germany, so you can opt for the course that matches your interests, hobbies, and talents. Due to the work experience that the course provides, employment opportunities after the training are really good.

Here are a few reasons why you should pursue vocational training in Germany rather than any other country.

  • Dual vocational training courses are a perfect combination of theoretical and practical knowledge. There is a lot of variety in vocational training in Germany where you will learn theoretical knowledge about the skills one or two days a week and spend the rest of the week practising those learned skills for your assigned company. This kind of dual learning system combining theory and practice makes one learn skills better, and graduate with direct exposure to the real work.
  • The demand for vocational trainees is very high in Germany. Various companies and organisations in Germany are looking for vocational trainees, so there are high chances to secure a job after vocational training qualification.
  • When you start vocational training in Germany, you can make money from the first month as the company will pay you for the work you do for them during the work placement and on the job training. So, you need not worry about living expenses; you can easily cover these expenses with the stipend that you receive monthly from the participating company.
  • Vocational training courses can be your ticket to a permanent career in the German job market. Approximately two-thirds of apprentices have found permanent positions in the company after completing vocational training. After completing the program, you will obtain a complete professional qualification from the institute and earn a good income. One of the benefits of working with the same training company is that you already know your company, your work and your colleagues, which will surely benefit you.
  • Vocational training allows you to adapt to the changes in the future. The German labour market is in great demand for skilled workers who have received vocational training and can adapt to new changes in the future. In some fields, there is even more demand for vocational trainees than college graduates as vocational trainees have the required skills and are experienced in their work.
    Now, you must be confused about the qualification requirement for vocational training in Germany.
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