Dual education

Dual training is typical of vocational training in Germany. In addition to theoretical training at a vocational school , the trainee, the so-called apprentice, also gains practical experience in a company. This enables a quicker entry into the world of work. As the training content is defined and regulated by the state, high quality and acceptance on the job market are also ensured.

If you are interested in an apprenticeship, you must look for a training company and apply to it. If your application is successful, the training company will conclude a training contract with you. You will receive a salary during your apprenticeship. As a rule, this increases from year to year. It amounts to around a third of the starting salary of a skilled worker. The training is free of charge for you. The duration of the apprenticeship is at least 2, usually 3 years.

The training company will often take you on directly and employ you as a skilled worker if you successfully complete the training.

There are no formal entry requirements for dual training. It is basically open to everyone.

You can find an overview of the sectors and professions that you can learn in the district of Central Saxony here. You can search for current training opportunities here . You will also find the contact details of the companies on the website.

If you are in Germany, you can also visit specialized trade fairs such as "Schule macht Betrieb" (more information here), where you can find out more and get in touch with companies offering apprenticeships. Under this link you can also visit trade fair stands of companies and institutions in Central Saxony virtually .

You can find a lot more information about the training occupations online. On the homepage of the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training you can, for example here to find out about the structure, framework curriculum and duration of apprenticeships and find out which apprenticeship suits you best.

It is also possible to obtain a visa to look for a training place. This allows you to look for a training place on site and you are also allowed to do trial work. You can find more information about this here.

All dual training courses are remunerated. The level of remuneration varies depending on the sector. Healthcare and nursing professions, for example, pay above average. The level of remuneration increases with the year of apprenticeship.

There is a statutory minimum level of remuneration. The minimum training allowance is regulated in Section 17 of the Vocational Training Act and is adjusted every year.

The following minimum remuneration applies for apprentices starting in 2025:
- 1st year of training: € 682
- 2nd year of training: € 805
- 3rd year of training: € 921
- 4th year of training: € 955

For training starting in 2026, the following minimum remuneration applies:
- 1st year of training: € 724
- 2nd year of training: € 854
- 3rd year of training: € 977
- 4th year of training: € 1,014