Assisted Training; Application

Assisted Training (AsA) can support you every step of the way—from finding and securing a suitable apprenticeship to successfully completing your on-the-job vocational training. 

AsA supports you, for example, if you have poor grades or are facing problems at your training company, vocational school, or at home that could jeopardize your admission to or success in the apprenticeship.

You can also receive support through AsA while completing an entry-level qualification (EQ).

An educational provider with experienced teachers, social educators, and a training mentor will work with you to develop a personalized support plan.

Depending on your individual needs, you can receive this support for a limited period or throughout the entire duration of your apprenticeship or EQ program.

During your participation, a training mentor will be available to you as your designated point of contact.

If you are completing your on-the-job vocational training or EQ on a part-time basis, you can receive the same level of support during the AsA support phase.

As a young person with a disability, you can also participate in the AsA program if it meets your individual support needs and enables you to participate in working life.

Your training company can also receive support through the AsA to help ensure the success of your vocational training or EQ.

The AsA is divided into two phases.

Preliminary Phase (optional)

This phase provides support in finding and securing a company-based apprenticeship position. Activities may include, for example:

• internships,
• career guidance if necessary,
• job application training,
• boosting motivation, or
• to a limited extent, addressing language and educational gaps.

Participation is full-time (39 instructional hours per week) and generally lasts 6 months. If you are unable to find an apprenticeship position during this time, participation may be extended for an additional 2 months.

If you have signed an on-the-job training contract or a contract for participating in an EQ program, you may participate in the accompanying phase of the AsA program at any time if you require further support.

While participating in the preliminary phase, you may receive a vocational training allowance.

Note for training companies:

As a training company, you can get to know your future trainee during the preliminary phase—for example, through an internship—and also receive support from the training provider. This support includes, for example:

• Support for in-house trainers in preparing for the apprenticeship
• Support in preparing application documents for the training company to apply for funding.

Accompanying Phase

During this phase, you can receive support:

• Assistance in overcoming language and learning difficulties
• in developing theoretical skills, knowledge, and abilities
• with measures to help you successfully complete your training/EQ and avoid dropping out, and
• in preparing for the transition to a job covered by mandatory social insurance after completing your training
• in stabilizing or finding employment after completing your training.

Your support is coordinated with the training company and goes beyond teaching standard workplace and training content. Both you and the training company receive individualized support.

The number of hours per week for the exchange and instructional programs is tailored to your individual needs. These sessions generally take place outside of the company’s scheduled training hours.

The duration of your support is based on your individual needs. This may apply for the entire duration of your apprenticeship or vocational training, or only for a limited time.

The focus of the support phase includes:

• Tutoring for vocational school classes,
• Tutoring in language classes,
• Preparation for class tests and exams,
• Mediation discussions between trainers, teachers, and/or parents,
• Social-educational support, or
• Support with personal problems that affect vocational training or EQ

are still available, now as part of the AsA program.

The AsA can be suspended for up to 6 months if you temporarily do not need support. If no further support is needed after the 6 months have elapsed, the AsA will be terminated.

Follow-up support after completing your vocational training is available for up to 6 months if needed, provided you have found a job. If you were unable to secure a job, the AsA can continue to assist you in your job search for up to 1 year after the end of your vocational training.

If you incur travel expenses as part of the AsA, you must pay these yourself. The Employment Agency or the Job Center does not reimburse these costs.

Note for training companies:

As a training company, you will receive

• the necessary support with the administration, organization, and implementation of the vocational training or EQ for the supported trainee or EQ participant, as well as
• support in day-to-day operations to stabilize the apprenticeship relationship or the EQ program.

Regular discussions with your apprentices or EQ participants help identify difficulties and develop solutions.

To this end, you must provide the educational institution with a written statement confirming that you will enable your apprentices or EQ participants to take part in the individual support services offered under the AsA program.

You are eligible to participate in the Assisted Training program if you meet the following requirements:

• You generally have no prior vocational training.
• You meet the eligibility requirements for vocational training and already have an idea of what career you want to pursue.
• You have completed your full-time compulsory education.
• For personal reasons,
  • unable to begin, continue, or successfully complete vocational training at a company without participating in the Assisted Training program, or
  • after completing vocational training supported by the Assisted Training program, you are unable to establish or secure employment, or
• You require additional support during an entry-level qualification program for personal reasons.

Preliminary Phase: Special Requirements for Foreign Nationals:

• You are seeking vocational training in a company.
• You have access to the training or labor market. If you are not permitted to work in Germany, you are not eligible for funding.
• You are eligible for funding if you are permitted to pursue vocational training or gainful employment, or if the Foreigners’ Registration Office can grant you permission to work. The permit itself is not yet required to participate in the preliminary phase.
• If you are authorized to stay or are granted temporary leave of absence in Germany, you must also demonstrate lawful residence in Germany for at least 15 months. If you entered Germany before August 1, 2019, a shortened period of at least 3 months applies.
• If you are authorized to stay in Germany, you are not eligible to receive vocational training assistance. Under certain conditions, you may be eligible for benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act.

Special requirements and exclusion criteria for your participation in the accompanying phase:

• Before entering the support phase, a training agreement or contract for an entry-level qualification program must be signed.
• Assisted Training can support on-the-job vocational training if it is in a
  • state-recognized apprenticeship occupation under the Vocational Training Act, the Crafts and Trades Code, or the Maritime Labor Act, or
  • in accordance with Part 2, also in conjunction with Part 5, of the Nursing Professions Act or the Elderly Care Act
  • and the required vocational training contract has been concluded.
• You are not eligible for support through the Assisted Training Program for school-based vocational training.
• There are no restrictions regarding nationality, residence status, or length of prior residence for your participation as a foreign national in the support phase following admission to in-company vocational training.
• To begin in-company vocational training, you, as a foreign national, should generally have a language proficiency level of B2 (see the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)).

You can participate in an Assisted Training program after a personal interview at the Employment Agency or the Job Center, provided you meet the eligibility requirements, a suitable program is available in your region, and there is an open spot. If a personal interview is not possible, your request can also be discussed over the phone.

• Contact the relevant Employment Agency or—if you receive basic income support—the relevant Job Center to schedule an appointment.
• Bring the documents and evidence that demonstrate your need for support to this appointment.
• Together, you will discuss your need for support and any questions arising from your documents.
• Based on the available information, the Employment Agency or the Job Center will determine whether you meet the eligibility requirements for participation and inform you of the result.
• If you are eligible to participate, the career counselor at the Employment Agency or the integration specialist at the Job Center will designate the training provider offering the Assisted Apprenticeship program and discuss the next steps with you.

Note for training companies:

As a company that provides or wishes to provide vocational training, please contact the Employment Agency’s employer hotline or the Employment Agency responsible for your location. If the Job Center is responsible for funding your trainee, its jurisdiction is determined by the trainee’s residential address.

• Required document(s)
  
  • Mid-year or final report card from the last general education school attended and
  • Mid-year or final report card from the last secondary vocational school attended, if available
  • If a diploma is not available: Proof of fulfillment of full-time compulsory education
  • Identification card or passport
  • if applicable:
    • Apprenticeship contract or contract for an entry-level qualification program (if available)
    • Current vocational school transcript
  • Identification document showing residency status

There are no costs involved.