What Is Ausbildung in Germany 2026: The Dual System in Full

An Ausbildung in Germany (vocational training) is a 3-year dual-system (school + company) program and the most popular career path outside university. Short answer: to do an Ausbildung you need a high school diploma + B2 German, the application takes 2-3 months, there are 50+ fields to choose from (nursing, electrical, IT, cooking, banking, etc.), and graduate professionals enter tenured positions with a starting salary of €2,000-3,500. In this guide you will find Germany's Ausbildung system, how the dual system works, which fields are in demand, application requirements, financing, salary and career paths — all based on the experience-based tips of real students (Edurs) doing an Ausbildung in Germany with Toedur.

What Is Ausbildung: Germany's Vocational Training System

Ausbildung comes from the German words for "education" and "profession". In Germany, it is the main way to learn a trade without going to university or without finishing one. A large share of German youth (35-40%) choose an Ausbildung instead of university.

Ausbildung = Dual System:

• School (Berufsschule): 1-2 days a week (theoretical knowledge)
• Company (Betrieb): 3-4 days a week (practical work)
• Duration: 3 years (2 years in some fields)
• Pay: Yes, you receive a salary from the very start

This system is not an alternative to university but a path in its own right. The German economy has an enormous need for Ausbildung graduates.

An observation from a Toedur Edur doing a banking Ausbildung in Berlin:

At the start of my Ausbildung I thought, "oh, I wish I'd gone to university." But three years later, when I got my diploma and became a tenured customer advisor on a €2,800 salary, I was very happy. My university friends are still in the middle of the semester, while I'm already a manager candidate. I no longer look down on the Ausbildung.

The Dual System: School + Company Combination

The Dual System is the heart of vocational training in Germany. The student works at both the school and the company, learning both theory and practice.

Weekly Schedule:

• Monday-Wednesday: Berufsschule (vocational school) — German, mathematics, trade subjects
• Thursday-Friday: Working at the company — real tasks, customers, products

Or the alternative block system:

• Weeks 1-3: Berufsschule (intensive theory)
• Weeks 4-7: At the company (intensive practice)
• Each model gives the same result: 3 years = 2 years company + 1 year school (in total)

Dual System Advantages:

• ✅ Both theory and practice
• ✅ Paid (a salary throughout the 3 years)
• ✅ Work experience builds up until graduation
• ✅ Graduation = job guaranteed
• ✅ Your career starts fast

50+ Ausbildung Fields: A Selection Guide

There are more than 50 Ausbildung fields in Germany. The main categories:

Top Ausbildung Providers: The Most Sought-After Companies

In Germany, every company has its own Ausbildung program. The companies offering the strongest Ausbildung:

Application Requirements: High School + B2 German

The Ausbildung application is simple and short. A high school diploma + B2 German is enough.

Application Requirements:

• Education: High school diploma (Hochschulreife or equivalent)
• German: B2 minimum (C1 is better)
• CV: Yes, in German
• Motivation letter: Yes, in German (why this field, why this company)
• Reference letter: Optional
• Pre-test: Some companies run a test (mathematics, logic, German)
• Interview: By phone or in person

Application Timeline:

• Application: September-December (6 months before finishing high school)
• Interviews: November-February
• Acceptances: February-April
• Start: August / September (the following year)

You apply 1.5 years before the Ausbildung starts — because popular companies have few places.

Salary: From the Start of the Ausbildung to the End

An Ausbildung is paid — this is called a salary. The salary rises each year and varies by field and company.

At the end of the Ausbildung the salary multiplies 2-3 times. That is why it is worth the investment.

Career Paths: After the Ausbildung

The end of the Ausbildung = the start of your career. The paths are varied:

Checklist: Ausbildung Application and Preparation

The Ausbildung application is faster than university but more competitive (popular companies).

PREPARATION (12-18 MONTHS BEFORE):

• I chose my field (which sector interests me)
• I chose a high-demand field (nursing, IT, electrical, etc.)
• I raised my German level to B2
• I prepared my CV in German (high school achievements, hobbies, experience)
• I drafted my motivation letter
• I identified my top 10 companies

APPLICATION (9-12 MONTHS BEFORE):

• I visited the companies' Ausbildung portals
• I registered on the online application systems
• I uploaded my CV and motivation letter (in German)
• I applied to 10-15 companies (a variety of companies)
• I recorded the application numbers

INTERVIEWS AND SELECTION (6-9 MONTHS LATER):

• Interview invitations arrived (by phone or in person)
• A pre-test was held (mathematics, logic, German)
• I attended the in-person interviews
• Acceptances arrived
• I made my company choice

AUSBILDUNG START:

• I found health insurance
• I looked for housing (I preferred near the company)
• I signed the employment contract
• I enrolled at the vocational school
• I prepared for the first day

DURING THE AUSBILDUNG (YEARS 1-3):

• School lessons + working at the company
• I am completing the tests and projects
• I am gaining practical experience
• I am preparing for the graduation exam (Year 3)

Frequently Asked Questions

Job Security: The Power of the Ausbildung

The greatest power of the Ausbildung in Germany: job security. Graduation = an almost certain job.

Speed of Finding a Job by Field:

• Nursing: Job invitations arrive before you even finish
• IT/Software: 1-2 weeks
• Electrical: 2-4 weeks
• Banking: 1-3 months
• Cooking: 2-6 months
• Art/Design: 3-9 months

Most of the time, the company where you did your Ausbildung hires you as a tenured employee — you don't even need to apply.

Checklist: Which Field Should You Choose?

Important criteria when choosing an Ausbildung field:

FIELD SELECTION CRITERIA:

• Is demand high? (prefer nursing, IT, electrical)
• Is the salary enough? (€1,000+ to start)
• Is there a career path? (Master / Manager)
• Am I ready to do physical work? (nursing, construction are hard)
• Am I ready to work nights/weekends? (nursing, logistics)
• Will I still enjoy it long-term? (cooking is high-stress)
• Do I have a university plan? (theoretical fields suit a Master's better)

SELECTION RECOMMENDATION:

• If you're undecided: Electrical or IT (high demand, good salary, strong career)
• If you love people: Nursing or Social Work (meaningful, job guaranteed)
• If you're practical: Construction or Crafts (Handwerk) (you can own your own business)
• If you want management: Banking or Insurance (the manager path is fast)

Conclusion: Ausbildung = Germany's Choice

In Germany, the Ausbildung is not an alternative to university but a choice. Even though most Germans would prefer to study at university, they know the Ausbildung offers the chance to start a career faster.

Ausbildung Advantages:

• ✅ Vocational qualification within 3 years
• ✅ Paid (a salary throughout the 3 years)
• ✅ Job guarantees
• ✅ Your career starts fast
• ✅ The Master's / University path stays open afterwards

Ausbildung Disadvantages:

• ❌ It can be physically hard (nursing, construction)
• ❌ Night shifts (health, logistics)
• ❌ For most fields a Master's is needed later in the career

Because the Ausbildung was paid by the company, I had no money worries. Three years later, when I came out, I became a tenured electrical technician on a €2,800 salary. While my university friends are still studying, I already have 5 years of experience. I'm happy with my choice of the Ausbildung.

Verified by Edurs

Our Toedur Edurs have tested and verified the Ausbildung by living it in Germany. If you want consultancy on Ausbildung field selection, application, finding a job and the career transition, you can review Toedur's Ausbildung consultancy.