Find a vocational training

With the dual training system in Rhineland-Palatinate, you will be trained in companies according to nationwide standards. Before choosing a profession, you should inform yourself early on about the requirements and prospects of the desired profession and compare them with your own strengths and expectations. You will find an overview on the professions available for selection at the following portals:

• Berufe TV provided by the Federal Employment Agency (BA)
• Planet-Beruf 

How to find vocational training

On the IHK-training job board you can find out which IHK profession suits you and look for training vacancies. On www.durchstarter.de, trainees show you first-hand what they experience during their training and give you advice.

On Handwerk.de you can inform yourself about the professions of the Chamber of Crafts. The tool for vacant training positions offers an online search of training vacancies and internships in in the field of crafts and is also available as an app. 

You have already found your dream job and are now looking for a suitable company taking on trainees? Then the Ausbildungsatlas (atlas for vocational training) can help you find a job Rhineland-Palatinate,

A very large selection of training positions is also offered by the job exchange of the Federal Employment Agency (BA). At the employment agencies, you will also find job information centres (BiZ) and employment counsellors that can provide you with advice. It is also possible to establish contacts with companies that offer training opportunities at trade fairs for vocational training.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry as well as the Chamber of Crafts also provide comprehensive support for vocational orientation. You are not quite sure whether the training occupation you have chosen is the right one for you? If so, we recommend you to first do an internship at a company to gain initial experience with the occupation you have considered for vocational training.

First you have to find a company that offers vocational training and apply for a training place. The application procedure is the same as for applying for regular employment. If your application is successful, you will sign a vocational training contract with the company.

Dual vocational trainings begin every year, usually on August 1 or September 1. Depending on the company, you should apply six months to one year in advance. The company that you will be training at registers you with vocational school and with German social security. During the period of your training, you will be covered by medical, pension and long-term care as well as accident insurance.

What to keep in mind to complete vocational training in Rhineland-Palatinate

• School-leaving certificate: Initially, vocational training is independent of school-leaving certificate. The training company alone decides whether to take on a trainee.
• Knowledge of German: The training as well as the final examination will be held in German. Good German language skills, at least at "B" level of the Common European Framework of Reference, are therefore very important.
• Visa: You do not live in Germany yet? If you are citizen of the EU, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway or Switzerland, you can start vocational training in Germany without any restrictions. If you are citizen of a different country, you will need a visa to enter and start vocational training in Germany. If you have not found a vocational training place yet, it is possible to apply for a visa for seeking a vocational training place in order to look for a suitable training place in Germany. For more information on visas for the purpose of doing vocational training visit the "Make it in Germany“ portal.