When you are going to immigrate to Germany, it is worth considering all possible options: i.e. work, study, various programs. You can confirm your diploma and find a suitable employer, or you can build a path to your goal through obtaining a European education. But are only universities available in this country? Are there any alternative educational institutions, which make less requirements for an admission? Is it possible to study and work at the same time? We will try to answer these and other questions below.
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
The market for skilled specialists in Germany is experiencing a significant shortage. There are several reasons for this situation: the growth of the popularity of higher education among Germans, the foreseeable career prospects among holders of industrial worker jobs. However, the so-called secondary education has a number of advantages.
Education (“Ausbildung” in German) is a dual system of vocational education, where the student is a participant in two processes at the same time: training (practical) and studies (theoretical). It means a student studies theory at an educational institution, and has three practical trainings in a workplace two days a week (the ratio of days can vary from course to course).
Moreover:
• The student will receive a salary of about 700 € per month throughout the entire period of training and work
• Upon completion of training, the student is likely to be offered a job at the same enterprise
• Training time will be subsequently considered as seniority
Secondary education in Germany is also available to foreigners.
The distinguishing features are as follows:
You can search for an education both in Germany and in your homeland
• There are no age limits for applying and training
• Each employer sets his/her own criteria for future employees/trainee
• Required language level is usually B1 – B2
• For persons residing outside the country is more difficult to be enrolled for education: your employer can invite you for an interview and to have a week’s practical training before you your studies start. In this case, you will need to obtain a Schengen visa, and after its receipt to submit documents for applying for a National visa.
In general, the procedure is as follows:
• Learn German
• Choose a professional direction and choose the appropriate company or employer
• Collect a package of documents, which is usually submitted when applying for a job: i.e. resume, certificate (diploma, language certificate, driver’s license, certificate of competence), motivation letter
• Give documents to German specialists for a check
• Send the package of documents to your future employer. Moreover, the number of applications to employers is not limited, you can send several applications to different federal lands. You can send them by mail, e-mail (if such an opportunity is indicated in the advertisement) or submit them in person.
• After submitting the application, the interviewer may be scheduled an interview (most companies conduct it via Skype or phone)
• In case of successful completion of all 2-3 stages a training contract will be concluded between the company and the trainee
• After conclusion of the contract, the applicant applies to the embassy to obtain a national visa. Among the standard list of documents should be also presented a vocational training agreement. Here is also required SPECIALISTS’ assistance, otherwise there is a high probability of failure due to incorrect or missing important documents.
TRAININGS AND PROGRAMS: POSTGRADUATE INTERNSHIP IN GERMANY
To gain experience and practical skills, graduates of German universities can participate in internship programs immediately after graduation. The so-called Trainee Program is offered by large German concerns and many medium-sized companies. Features of internship programs are as follows:
• Programs include the theoretical part in the form of trainings and seminars and practical part in the form of work in different departments of the company
• The trainee’s salary (i.e. brutto-salary of 1000/1700 euros) is lower than that one of other employees
• The largest number of internship offers receive programmers, engineers and economists.
• The competition among applicants is quite serious. When choosing trainees employers pay attention to the average score of diploma, the availability of specialized practices and knowledge of languages (German and English)
• At the end of the internship, the graduate has a real chance of getting a job in the same company
• Foreigners can also participate in the program. One of the options is recognition of the education received in the homeland or the completion of a Bachelor’s/ Master’s program in Germany. Then you can search for internship in the specialty in the respective companies and apply for it.
There are many options for employment and obtaining a residence permit in Germany. Consider them all and commensurate with your abilities and capabilities. Consultants of our agency will answer all your questions about choosing a program or getting an education in Germany. We will be able to assist you in applying for a visa, drawing up a resume and a letter of motivation, and we will provide assistance at all stages of your settlement in Germany.
