B1 Atlas

Free Ausbildung tool

Ausbildung occupation shortlist comparer

You have two or three occupation names and no way to tell them apart. Choose the things that would actually change your decision, choose up to four occupations, and read what the official sources publish about each one, line by line, with the source under every value. Where nothing official exists, the line says so instead of guessing.

Put your shortlist side by side

Choose what matters to you, choose two to four training occupations, and read the published facts next to each other with the official source beside every line. Nothing here ranks the occupations or decides for you.

Your shortlist stays in this tab. It is not saved, submitted, added to the address bar, or included in analytics.

The full published record for all twelve occupations is set out below, one occupation at a time, with every source linked.

Step 1 of 3

Which of these would change your decision?

Choose as many as you like. Each one becomes a row in the comparison.

What each row means, and who publishes it

Seven rows, three publishers. Every value in the comparison comes from one of them, and the row tells you which one, so you can check a line before you act on it.

Length of training
The Ausbildungsdauer printed on the occupation's own entry in BERUFENET, the Federal Employment Agency's occupation information system. Two years and three and a half years are both normal, and the difference decides how long you need money, a place to live and a visa for.
Where you learn
BERUFENET's Ausbildungsart: whether the training is dual, meaning a company plus a vocational school under a federal training regulation, or schulisch, meaning a school is the main provider. The row also says who writes the rules: a federal regulation, one nationwide law, or the law of a single federal state.
Training allowance
BERUFENET's own Beispielhafte Ausbildungsvergütungen, which it labels as example figures that differ by federal state and, in several occupations, by training area. They are examples, not averages, and no employer is bound by them. One occupation in the set pays nothing at all and can charge school fees, which is the single fact this row exists to surface.
School-leaving certificate
For dual training BERUFENET states plainly that rechtlich ist keine bestimmte Schulbildung vorgeschrieben: no particular schooling is required in law. It then publishes what the people who started in 2024 actually held. That distribution is a description of who got in, not a rule you have to meet. For school-based training there is a stated access rule instead, and the school still selects on its own criteria.
German required for the profession
Only a few professions have a level set for the profession itself. Nursing is the clear case: the federal state sets B1 or B2. For everything else the row says so and points at the federal requirements page, which says that as a rule you should be able to show B1 for the training visa and that the company, the vocational school and the examinations all run in German. Whether B1 is enough for your case is a separate question, and the B1 and Ausbildung guide takes it apart.
Shortage analysis
Once a year the Federal Employment Agency scores occupational groups on six statistical indicators. A score of 2.0 or above makes the group a shortage occupation (Engpassberuf); below 1.5 it is not one; between the two the agency keeps watching it. The figures here are the 2025 analysis, read in the agency's own interactive shortage analysis. Read the row carefully: the analysis rates groups of occupations, not single training occupations, and it publishes nothing at all for assistant-level work. A shortage rating is a statement about how hard employers find it to fill reported vacancies. It is not a promise that anyone will hire you.
Places of work
BERUFENET's Arbeitsorte, the places people in this occupation usually work. This is the fastest way to tell a ward from a workshop, a warehouse from a shop floor, and either of them from a desk.

Where two official sources disagree

Two disagreements sit inside this data. The comparison shows both rather than picking a winner.

  1. Getting into nursing training

    The federal nursing profile states that you need a certificate of intermediate education. BERUFENET names three routes in, one of which is a Hauptschulabschluss together with completed training in nursing assistance. Both are current federal sources, and both also say the nursing schools select on their own criteria. Ask the school you want to apply to which document it needs.

  2. Whether a school certificate has to be recognised

    For company-based dual training the federal requirements page says German law asks for no particular school-leaving qualification, and therefore no recognition. The Federal Employment Agency's English guide tells applicants to have their certificate recognised and present it to the vocational school. The requirements guide sets both statements out with their sources. Ask the company and the vocational school which document they want rather than guessing.

Why twelve occupations and not three hundred

Germany recognises more than three hundred training occupations, and BIBB's register is the complete list. A copy of that list would go out of date and would not help you choose anyway. The twelve here are the occupations the Federal Government's own training profiles name, and each BERUFENET link below is the one that portal gives for that occupation. Between them they cover both training models, two years to three and a half, paid and unpaid, wards and workshops and shop floors, and the whole range of the shortage analysis from 1.3 to 2.7. If the occupation you are considering is not here, open its own BERUFENET entry and read the same seven things.

If you do not have names yet, the field comparison guide gets you to two or three. If you already have a real vacancy, the preparation self-check turns it into an ordered plan and the timeline planner works out when to apply. If you already hold a professional qualification from your own country, whether it counts here is a separate procedure on the official recognition portal, and this tool says nothing about it.

What this tool will not do

  • It does not rank the occupations, score them, or name a best one for you. It has no idea who you are, and it stores nothing about you.
  • It does not predict admission, employment or a visa. A company or school decides who it takes, and a German mission decides the visa.
  • It shows no salary after training. The only money in it is the training allowance BERUFENET publishes for that occupation, labelled as BERUFENET's own example figures.
  • It fills no gaps. Where an official source publishes nothing, the line says "Not published" and points you at the body that decides.

The twelve occupations in full

The whole data set, one occupation at a time, so you can read it without the tool and check any line against its source. BERUFENET printed 6 September 2026 as the currency date on all twelve entries when they were read.

Nursing professional

Pflegefachmann/-frau

Care for people of every age in hospitals, care homes and outpatient services: work out what care a person needs, plan it, carry it out and record it, carry out doctors' orders, dress wounds, give medication, and advise patients and their families.

Length of training
3 years full time, up to 5 years part time3-5 Jahre (Vollzeit/Teilzeit)Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
Where you learn
School-based, at a nursing school, with practical placementsAusbildung an Pflegeschulen (bundesweit einheitlich geregelt)The rules are the same across Germany. You learn at the nursing school and in hospitals and in residential and outpatient care services.Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
Training allowance
€1,416 a month in year 1 under a public-sector collective agreementAusbildungsvergütungPaying a training allowance is required by law. For organisations covered by a public-sector collective agreement BERUFENET names €1,477 in year 2 and €1,578 in year 3.Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
School-leaving certificate
One of three routes in, then the school decidesmittlerer Bildungsabschluss, 10-jährige allgemeine Schulbildung, or Hauptschulabschluss plus abgeschlossene BerufsausbildungBERUFENET names three ways in: an intermediate certificate, any successfully completed ten years of general schooling, or a Hauptschulabschluss together with completed training in nursing assistance. The nursing schools then select on their own criteria.Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
German required for the profession
B1 or B2, depending on the federal stateThe level for this profession is set by the federal state. The same page also asks for proof that you are physically and mentally fit for nursing work, and proof of your criminal record.Federal Government, Make it in Germany · Nursing professional profile · read 2026-09-07
Shortage analysis
Signs of a shortage (2.7)813x+821 PflegeberufeThe analysis rates occupational groups, not single training occupations. This score belongs to the group named above.Federal Employment Agency · Shortage analysis (Engpassanalyse) · read 2026-09-07
Places of work
Patient rooms on wards, treatment and care rooms, patients' own homes in outpatient care, shared rooms in residential facilities, and ward or office roomsArbeitsorteFederal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07

Two current federal sources differ. Make it in Germany states plainly that you need a certificate of intermediate education. BERUFENET names the three routes above. Both also say the nursing schools select on their own criteria, so ask the school you want to apply to which document it needs.

Nursing assistant

Pflegeassistent/in

Help people who need care with dressing, eating and drinking, support them through the day, take blood pressure, blood sugar, pulse and temperature on a nurse's instruction, call a nurse in a crisis, and record what you did.

Length of training
1 to 2 years full time, 2 to 4 years part time1-4 Jahre (Vollzeit/Teilzeit)The length follows the rules of the federal state the school is in.Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
Where you learn
School-based, at a vocational school, under one federal state's rulesSchulische Ausbildung an Berufsfachschulen (landesrechtlich geregelt)You learn at the vocational school and in a placement organisation. Each federal state writes its own rules for this training.Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
Training allowance
Not publishedBERUFENET says the federal states regulate this training and that a right to a training allowance exists in many of them. It names no amount.Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
School-leaving certificate
Usually a Hauptschulabschluss, then the school decidesHauptschulabschlussDepending on the federal state this certificate is also called Berufsreife, Berufsbildungsreife, erster allgemeinbildender Schulabschluss or erfolgreicher Abschluss der Mittelschule. The vocational schools select on their own criteria.Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
German required for the profession
Not publishedThe training is regulated by each federal state and the vocational schools select on their own criteria, so no national level is published for this occupation. Ask the school.Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
Shortage analysis
Not publishedThe analysis covers skilled, specialist and expert level. It publishes no rating at assistant level.Federal Employment Agency · Shortage analysis (Engpassanalyse) · read 2026-09-07
Places of work
Patient rooms, ward and office rooms, and the shared rooms of homes and shared flats; sometimes private homesArbeitsorteFederal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07

Medical device technology assistant

Technische/r Assistent/in - medizinische Gerätetechnik

Advise medical staff on equipment, service and repair medical devices, run safety checks, test and fix faulty machines, and help develop, make and sell them.

Length of training
3 years3 JahreFederal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
Where you learn
School-based, at a vocational school, under one federal state's rulesSchulische Ausbildung an Berufsfachschulen (landesrechtlich geregelt)You learn at the vocational school and in a placement organisation.Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
Training allowance
Unpaid, and some schools charge feesBERUFENET states the training is not paid, and that some schools charge school fees and admission or examination fees.Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
School-leaving certificate
Usually an intermediate certificate, then the school decidesmittlerer BildungsabschlussThe vocational schools select on their own criteria.Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
German required for the profession
Not publishedThe training is regulated by each federal state and the vocational schools select on their own criteria, so no national level is published for this occupation. Ask the school.Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
Shortage analysis
Not publishedNo rated occupational group corresponds to this occupation, so no rating is claimed for it here.Federal Employment Agency · Shortage analysis (Engpassanalyse) · read 2026-09-07
Places of work
Laboratories, production halls, offices and customer sites; sometimes workshops and showroomsArbeitsorteFederal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07

Professional driver

Berufskraftfahrer/in

Move goods by lorry, or passengers by bus on scheduled and coach services: check the vehicle before departure, take on freight or luggage, spread the load evenly, check the papers and signage, and know the traffic rules at home and abroad.

Length of training
3 years3 JahreFederal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
Where you learn
Dual, in goods transport and passenger transportDuale Ausbildung im Güterverkehr und in der Personenbeförderung (geregelt durch Ausbildungsverordnung)You learn in the company and at a vocational school. A federal training regulation sets the content.Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
Training allowance
€825 to €1,270 a month in year 1Beispielhafte AusbildungsvergütungenBERUFENET calls these example figures that differ by federal state. It adds €885 to €1,335 in year 2 and €977 to €1,401 in year 3.Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
School-leaving certificate
Not required by lawRechtlich ist keine bestimmte Schulbildung vorgeschriebenOf the people who started this training in 2024, 44% held a Hauptschulabschluss, 35% an intermediate certificate, 6% a higher-education entrance qualification and 6% no school-leaving certificate at all.Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
German required for the profession
No level set for the professionThe federal requirements page says that as a rule you should be able to show B1 for the training visa, and that the company, the vocational school and the examinations all work in German. The employer and the school decide what they need from you.Federal Government, Make it in Germany · Requirements for vocational training · read 2026-09-07
Shortage analysis
Signs of a shortage (2.5)5212 Berufskraftfahrer (Güterverkehr/LKW)This is the goods-transport group. Passenger transport is rated separately: bus and tram drivers at 2.3, car-based passenger transport at 1.5. The analysis rates occupational groups, not single training occupations.Federal Employment Agency · Shortage analysis (Engpassanalyse) · read 2026-09-07
Places of work
Mostly at the wheel; also outdoors, in warehouses and vehicle halls, and in workshopsArbeitsorteFederal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07

Warehouse logistics operator

Fachkraft - Lagerlogistik

Take goods in and check them against the papers, organise unloading, sort and store them, plan delivery runs, pack consignments and write the papers, load lorries, containers and rail wagons, drive a forklift, and order stock.

Length of training
3 years3 JahreFederal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
Where you learn
Dual, in industry and trade and in the skilled craftsDuale Ausbildung in Industrie und Handel sowie im Handwerk (geregelt durch Ausbildungsverordnung)You learn in the company and at a vocational school. A federal training regulation sets the content.Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
Training allowance
€730 to €1,320 a month in year 1 in trade, €825 to €1,270 in the transport sectorBeispielhafte AusbildungsvergütungenBERUFENET calls these example figures that differ by federal state. Year 3 runs to €1,430 in trade and €1,401 in the transport sector.Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
School-leaving certificate
Not required by lawRechtlich ist keine bestimmte Schulbildung vorgeschriebenOf the people who started in 2024 in industry and trade, 48% held an intermediate certificate and 37% a Hauptschulabschluss. In the skilled crafts it was 47% and 42%.Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
German required for the profession
No level set for the professionThe federal requirements page says that as a rule you should be able to show B1 for the training visa, and that the company, the vocational school and the examinations all work in German. The employer and the school decide what they need from you.Federal Government, Make it in Germany · Requirements for vocational training · read 2026-09-07
Shortage analysis
No signs of a shortage (1.3)5131 Berufe in der LagerwirtschaftBelow 1.5 the agency does not treat the group as a shortage occupation. The analysis rates occupational groups, not single training occupations.Federal Employment Agency · Shortage analysis (Engpassanalyse) · read 2026-09-07
Places of work
Warehouses and cold stores; sometimes open-air storage yards and officesArbeitsorteFederal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07

Mechatronics technician

Mechatroniker/in

Build mechatronic systems such as industrial robots and automated production lines: test the parts, assemble them, commission and program the system or install its software from wiring diagrams and drawings, then maintain and repair it.

Length of training
3.5 years3,5 JahreFederal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
Where you learn
Dual, in industry and in the skilled craftsDuale Ausbildung in Industrie und Handwerk (geregelt durch Ausbildungsverordnung)You learn in the company and at a vocational school. A federal training regulation sets the content.Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
Training allowance
€800 to €1,140 a month in year 1 in the skilled crafts, €1,243 to €1,373 in industryBeispielhafte AusbildungsvergütungenBERUFENET calls these example figures that differ by federal state. Because the training runs three and a half years there is a fourth year: €1,014 to €1,390 in the skilled crafts and €1,461 to €1,563 in industry.Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
School-leaving certificate
Not required by lawRechtlich ist keine bestimmte Schulbildung vorgeschriebenOf the people who started in 2024 in industry and trade, 61% held an intermediate certificate and 33% a higher-education entrance qualification. In the skilled crafts it was 66% and 15%.Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
German required for the profession
No level set for the professionThe federal requirements page says that as a rule you should be able to show B1 for the training visa, and that the company, the vocational school and the examinations all work in German. The employer and the school decide what they need from you.Federal Government, Make it in Germany · Requirements for vocational training · read 2026-09-07
Shortage analysis
Signs of a shortage (2.3)2611 Berufe in der MechatronikThe analysis rates occupational groups, not single training occupations. This score belongs to the group named above.Federal Employment Agency · Shortage analysis (Engpassanalyse) · read 2026-09-07
Places of work
Workshops and production hallsArbeitsorteFederal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07

Electronics technician for automation and systems

Elektroniker/in - Automatisierungs- und Systemtechnik

Make sensors, electronic controllers and control equipment drive and regulate machinery: configure hardware, software, bus systems and networks, program and test the plant, show people how to use it, find and fix faults, and advise customers on options and costs.

Length of training
3.5 years3,5 JahreFederal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
Where you learn
Dual, in the skilled craftsDuale Ausbildung im Handwerk (geregelt durch Ausbildungsverordnung)You learn in the company and at a vocational school. A federal training regulation sets the content.Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
Training allowance
€800 to €1,140 a month in year 1Beispielhafte AusbildungsvergütungenBERUFENET calls these example figures that differ by federal state. Because the training runs three and a half years there is a fourth year: €1,014 to €1,390.Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
School-leaving certificate
Not required by lawRechtlich ist keine bestimmte Schulbildung vorgeschriebenOf the people who started in 2024, 58% held an intermediate certificate, 25% a higher-education entrance qualification and 14% a Hauptschulabschluss.Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
German required for the profession
No level set for the professionThe federal requirements page says that as a rule you should be able to show B1 for the training visa, and that the company, the vocational school and the examinations all work in German. The employer and the school decide what they need from you.Federal Government, Make it in Germany · Requirements for vocational training · read 2026-09-07
Shortage analysis
Signs of a shortage (2.2)2612 Berufe in der AutomatisierungstechnikThe analysis rates occupational groups, not single training occupations. This score belongs to the group named above.Federal Employment Agency · Shortage analysis (Engpassanalyse) · read 2026-09-07
Places of work
Workshops, works halls, offices and customer sites; sometimes outdoorsArbeitsorteFederal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07

Painter and varnisher

Maler/in und Lackierer/in - Gestaltung und Instandhaltung

Prepare surfaces and repair damaged plaster on walls and ceilings, then coat, paper or finish them, fit insulation and external insulation systems, and protect wood such as windows, doors and fences with stains, paints and lacquers.

Length of training
3 years3 JahreFederal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
Where you learn
Dual, in the skilled craftsDuale Ausbildung im Handwerk (geregelt durch Ausbildungsverordnung)You learn in the company and at a vocational school. A federal training regulation sets the content.Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
Training allowance
€900 a month in year 1Beispielhafte AusbildungsvergütungenBERUFENET gives one example figure per year here: €985 in year 2 and €1,150 in year 3.Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
School-leaving certificate
Not required by lawRechtlich ist keine bestimmte Schulbildung vorgeschriebenOf the people who started in 2024, 52% held a Hauptschulabschluss, 31% an intermediate certificate and 8% no school-leaving certificate at all.Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
German required for the profession
No level set for the professionThe federal requirements page says that as a rule you should be able to show B1 for the training visa, and that the company, the vocational school and the examinations all work in German. The employer and the school decide what they need from you.Federal Government, Make it in Germany · Requirements for vocational training · read 2026-09-07
Shortage analysis
Under observation (1.5)3321 Berufe für Maler- und LackiererarbeitenBetween 1.5 and 2.0 the agency keeps watching the group rather than calling it a shortage occupation. The analysis rates occupational groups, not single training occupations.Federal Employment Agency · Shortage analysis (Engpassanalyse) · read 2026-09-07
Places of work
Building sites inside buildings or on facades outdoors, and the firm's own workshops; sometimes officesArbeitsorteFederal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07

Cook

Koch/Köchin

Plan menus, buy and store ingredients, coordinate the kitchen so dishes are finished in the right order, cook and garnish them yourself in a small kitchen or specialise in one section in a large one, cost the prices and advise guests.

Length of training
3 years3 JahreFederal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
Where you learn
Dual, in the hospitality tradeDuale Ausbildung im Gastgewerbe (geregelt durch Ausbildungsverordnung)You learn in the company and at a vocational school. A federal training regulation sets the content.Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
Training allowance
€950 to €1,200 a month in year 1Beispielhafte AusbildungsvergütungenBERUFENET calls these example figures that differ by federal state. Year 3 runs from €1,150 to €1,462.Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
School-leaving certificate
Not required by lawRechtlich ist keine bestimmte Schulbildung vorgeschriebenOf the people who started in 2024, 31% held an intermediate certificate, 23% a Hauptschulabschluss and 19% a higher-education entrance qualification. A further 22% are recorded under other qualifications.Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
German required for the profession
No level set for the professionThe federal requirements page says that as a rule you should be able to show B1 for the training visa, and that the company, the vocational school and the examinations all work in German. The employer and the school decide what they need from you.Federal Government, Make it in Germany · Requirements for vocational training · read 2026-09-07
Shortage analysis
Signs of a shortage (2.0)2930 Köche/Köchinnen (ohne Spezialisierung)The analysis rates occupational groups, not single training occupations. This score belongs to the group named above.Federal Employment Agency · Shortage analysis (Engpassanalyse) · read 2026-09-07
Places of work
Kitchens, storage and cold rooms; sometimes dining rooms and officesArbeitsorteFederal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07

Hotel specialist

Hotelfachmann/-frau

Plan the work of a hotel and look after guests: take reservations, allocate rooms and check them in housekeeping, serve in the restaurant, help in the kitchen, run events, issue bills, plan staffing and watch stock levels.

Length of training
3 years3 JahreFederal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
Where you learn
Dual, in the hospitality tradeDuale Ausbildung im Gastgewerbe (geregelt durch Ausbildungsverordnung)You learn in the company and at a vocational school. A federal training regulation sets the content.Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
Training allowance
€950 to €1,200 a month in year 1Beispielhafte AusbildungsvergütungenBERUFENET calls these example figures that differ by federal state. Year 3 runs from €1,150 to €1,462.Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
School-leaving certificate
Not required by lawRechtlich ist keine bestimmte Schulbildung vorgeschriebenOf the people who started in 2024, 39% held an intermediate certificate, 22% a higher-education entrance qualification and 15% a Hauptschulabschluss. A further 21% are recorded under other qualifications.Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
German required for the profession
No level set for the professionThe federal requirements page says that as a rule you should be able to show B1 for the training visa, and that the company, the vocational school and the examinations all work in German. The employer and the school decide what they need from you.Federal Government, Make it in Germany · Requirements for vocational training · read 2026-09-07
Shortage analysis
Signs of a shortage (2.3)6322 Berufe im HotelserviceThe analysis rates occupational groups, not single training occupations. This score belongs to the group named above.Federal Employment Agency · Shortage analysis (Engpassanalyse) · read 2026-09-07
Places of work
Reception and the restaurant; also outdoors, storage rooms, hotel rooms, hotel kitchens and officesArbeitsorteFederal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07

Retail management assistant

Kaufmann/-frau - Einzelhandel

Sell consumer goods to customers, advise them and handle complaints; plan buying, place orders, take deliveries and check their quality, price goods and fill shelves, lay out the sales floor, and run the online shop and its product catalogue.

Length of training
3 years3 JahreFederal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
Where you learn
Dual, in trade and in the skilled craftsDuale Ausbildung im Handel und Handwerk (geregelt durch Ausbildungsverordnung)You learn in the company and at a vocational school. A federal training regulation sets the content.Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
Training allowance
€940 to €1,120 a month in year 1Beispielhafte AusbildungsvergütungenBERUFENET calls these example figures that differ by federal state. Year 3 runs from €1,150 to €1,390.Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
School-leaving certificate
Not required by lawRechtlich ist keine bestimmte Schulbildung vorgeschriebenOf the people who started in 2024 in industry and trade, 49% held an intermediate certificate and 32% a Hauptschulabschluss. In the skilled crafts it was 61% and 31%.Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
German required for the profession
No level set for the professionThe federal requirements page says that as a rule you should be able to show B1 for the training visa, and that the company, the vocational school and the examinations all work in German. The employer and the school decide what they need from you.Federal Government, Make it in Germany · Requirements for vocational training · read 2026-09-07
Shortage analysis
Under observation (1.7)6210 Berufe im Verkauf (ohne Produktspezialisierung)This is the group for selling without a product specialisation. Groups tied to one product area are rated separately, from 1.5 for clothing to 2.5 for bakery and meat counters. The analysis rates occupational groups, not single training occupations.Federal Employment Agency · Shortage analysis (Engpassanalyse) · read 2026-09-07
Places of work
Sales floors, storage and cold rooms; sometimes outdoors at stalls and open pitches, and officesArbeitsorteFederal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07

Sales assistant

Verkäufer/in

Sell goods such as clothing, food, electronics or furniture: advise customers, take payment in cash or by card, receive deliveries, stock shelves, price goods, run quality checks and reorder.

Length of training
2 years2 JahreFederal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
Where you learn
Dual, in tradeDuale Ausbildung im Handel (geregelt durch Ausbildungsverordnung)You learn in the company and at a vocational school. A federal training regulation sets the content.Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
Training allowance
€940 to €1,120 a month in year 1Beispielhafte AusbildungsvergütungenBERUFENET calls these example figures that differ by federal state. The training has two years, and year 2 runs from €1,000 to €1,250.Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
School-leaving certificate
Not required by lawRechtlich ist keine bestimmte Schulbildung vorgeschriebenOf the people who started in 2024, 52% held a Hauptschulabschluss, 35% an intermediate certificate and 5% no school-leaving certificate at all.Federal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07
German required for the profession
No level set for the professionThe federal requirements page says that as a rule you should be able to show B1 for the training visa, and that the company, the vocational school and the examinations all work in German. The employer and the school decide what they need from you.Federal Government, Make it in Germany · Requirements for vocational training · read 2026-09-07
Shortage analysis
Under observation (1.7)6210 Berufe im Verkauf (ohne Produktspezialisierung)This is the group for selling without a product specialisation. Groups tied to one product area are rated separately, from 1.5 for clothing to 2.5 for bakery and meat counters. The analysis rates occupational groups, not single training occupations.Federal Employment Agency · Shortage analysis (Engpassanalyse) · read 2026-09-07
Places of work
Sales floors, storage and cold rooms; sometimes outdoors at stalls and open pitches, and officesArbeitsorteFederal Employment Agency · BERUFENET occupation entry · read 2026-09-07

Once you have chosen

An occupation name is the start. The Ausbildung in Germany guide puts the whole route in order, from a training place to the training contract to the correct official visa page, and the requirements guide sets out each condition beside the body that applies it. When you have a real vacancy in front of you, search current training places on the Federal Employment Agency's Ausbildung search.