→ Back to home🛠 Ausbildung

How to Find an Ausbildung Place in Germany: A Step-by-Step Guide for Moroccans

2025-01-16

Learn exactly how to find an Ausbildung place in Germany — from top job portals to writing your application — with practical tips for Moroccan applicants.

Finding an Ausbildung place in Germany feels overwhelming at first, especially when you're applying from Morocco and navigating a system that runs in a completely different language. But thousands of Moroccans successfully land vocational training spots in Germany every year — and the process is more straightforward than you might think. This guide walks you through every step, from knowing where to look to sending an application that actually gets a response.

What Is an Ausbildung Place and Why Competition Matters

An Ausbildung (vocational training) place is a contract between you and a German company. You work and train there for 2–3.5 years, earn a monthly salary (typically €600–€1,100 depending on the field and year), and graduate with a recognized German professional qualification.

Here's the reality: in many sectors — especially healthcare, IT, logistics, and skilled trades — German companies are actively struggling to fill these spots. The Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) reported that in 2023, there were roughly 73,000 more Ausbildung positions available than there were applicants to fill them. That gap is your opportunity.

However, competition from other international applicants is growing. Applying early, using the right platforms, and presenting a polished application are non-negotiable.

Where to Find Ausbildung Places in Germany

Official Job Portals

The most reliable starting point is the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit). Their portal at www.arbeitsagentur.de lists tens of thousands of Ausbildung vacancies across all 16 German states. You can filter by profession, location, and start date. It's free and updated daily.

Other major platforms worth bookmarking:

• Ausbildung.de — one of the largest dedicated Ausbildung portals, with a simple interface and English-language support for some fields
• Azubiyo.de — user-friendly, with personality-based matching tools
• Indeed.de — search "Ausbildung" + your target city (e.g., "Ausbildung Krankenpflege München")
• StepStone.de — skews slightly more toward larger employers
• LinkedIn — increasingly used by mid-sized and large German companies to post training positions

Industry-Specific Portals

Depending on your target field, niche portals are often more effective:

• Healthcare & nursing: Pflegejobs.de, Medi-Karriere.de
• IT & tech: ITjobs.de, Stack Overflow Jobs
• Hospitality & gastronomy: Gastrojobs.de, Hogastjob.com
• Crafts & trades: Handwerk.de — the official German crafts federation portal

Direct Company Applications

Many Ausbildung spots are never publicly posted. Large companies like Deutsche Bahn, Siemens, REWE, Bosch, and Mercedes-Benz run their own Ausbildung programs and accept applications directly through their career pages. Search "[Company Name] Ausbildung Bewerbung" to find the right page.

For smaller companies — a local bakery, a car repair shop, a dental practice — simply walk in or send an email inquiry. In smaller German towns, this direct approach often works better than any online portal.

Chambers of Commerce (IHK and HWK)

Every German region has an IHK (Industrie- und Handelskammer) for commercial and technical professions and an HWK (Handwerkskammer) for trades. Both chambers publish lists of local companies offering Ausbildung places. Find your target region's chamber at www.ihk.de or www.hwk.de.

When to Start Your Search

German Ausbildung programs typically start in September or October. However, some programs — especially in healthcare and IT — have additional intakes in February or March.

The golden rule: start applying 9–12 months before your intended start date. That means if you want to start in September 2026, you should be actively applying from September 2025 onwards.

Many large companies, such as Deutsche Telekom or BMW, open their Ausbildung application windows as early as 12 months in advance. If you apply in January for a September start, you may already be late for the most competitive spots.

Set up job alerts on Arbeitsagentur.de and Ausbildung.de so new vacancies land in your inbox automatically.

How to Apply: Documents and What German Employers Expect

Getting access to the portal is the easy part. Your application package is what determines whether you get an interview. German employers have specific expectations.

The Standard Application Package

• Anschreiben (cover letter): 1 page, tailored to the company and profession. Explain why you want this specific Ausbildung, why you chose this company, and what skills you bring. Avoid copy-paste letters — employers notice immediately.
• Lebenslauf (CV): Tabular, chronological (most recent first), typically 1–2 pages. Include education, any work experience, language skills, and certifications. A photo is still standard in Germany.
• Diplomas and certificates: Your Baccalauréat (translated into German by a certified translator), any language certificates (B1/B2 German is usually the minimum — B2 is strongly preferred), and any relevant work experience certificates.
• Proof of German language level: A Goethe-Institut certificate, telc, or ÖSD certificate. Employers want documented evidence, not just a claim.

Language Level Reality Check

Most Ausbildung positions require at least B1 German, but practically speaking, B2 opens far more doors — especially in healthcare, where patient communication is critical. If you're currently at A2 or B1, invest 3–6 months in intensive German study before applying heavily. It's not time wasted; it dramatically improves your acceptance rate.

Understanding the Ausbildung Application Process

After you submit:

1. Waiting period (2–6 weeks): Companies review applications and send rejection or invitation emails.
2. Einstellungstest (aptitude test): Many large companies — Deutsche Bahn, REWE, Lidl — require a written test covering math, German, and logical reasoning. Practice tests are available free on Einstellungstest.de.
3. Interview (Vorstellungsgespräch): Usually conducted in German. Prepare answers for: "Why do you want to do this Ausbildung?", "Why our company?", "What are your strengths and weaknesses?"
4. Trial day (Probearbeitstag or Schnuppertag): Some employers invite shortlisted candidates for a half-day trial before making a decision.
5. Contract signing: If accepted, you sign an Ausbildungsvertrag. Read every line — it specifies salary, vacation days, and working hours.

Apply to 15–30 companies simultaneously. Don't wait for one response before sending the next application.

Getting Your Visa to Do an Ausbildung in Germany

Once you have an Ausbildung contract in hand, you can apply for the Ausbildung visa at the German embassy in Rabat or Casablanca. Required documents typically include:

• Valid passport
• Signed Ausbildungsvertrag
• Proof of accommodation in Germany
• Health insurance proof
• German language certificate (B1 minimum)
• Blocked account or proof of financial coverage (though your Ausbildung salary often covers this)

Processing times at the German embassy in Morocco currently run 8–14 weeks, so plan accordingly. Book your appointment the moment you have a signed contract.

What People Get Wrong When Searching for an Ausbildung

Waiting too long to start. The most common mistake is beginning the search in spring for a September start. By then, the best spots are gone.

Sending a generic cover letter. German employers read hundreds of applications. A letter that could be sent to any company goes straight to the rejection pile. Mention the company by name, reference a specific project or value they publish on their website, and explain your personal motivation.

Ignoring smaller cities. Everyone applies to Munich, Berlin, and Hamburg. Smaller cities like Erfurt, Augsburg, Bielefeld, or Koblenz have far more open positions and less competition. The Ausbildung salary is nearly the same, and living costs are lower.

Overestimating English. Germany's Ausbildung system runs almost entirely in German. Don't apply until your German is at a functional level — you'll save yourself and the employer wasted time.

Not getting documents officially translated. Your Moroccan diplomas must be translated by a sworn translator (vereidigter Übersetzer). A Google Translate printout will not be accepted.

Only applying online. Walking into local businesses or calling HR directly — especially for trades and hospitality positions — still works extremely well in Germany and sets you apart from the flood of online applicants.

Conclusion

Finding an Ausbildung place in Germany is absolutely achievable from Morocco if you start early, use the right platforms, and submit a polished, tailored application. The demand for trained professionals in Germany is real, and the door is genuinely open — especially for candidates who take the language and documentation requirements seriously.

Your next step is putting together a strong Lebenslauf and Anschreiben. Book a consultation with our specialist and use our CV builder and cover letter generator to create application documents that meet German employer standards — and give yourself the best possible chance of landing that Ausbildung contract.