Dual vocational training within your business: how to register the training contract (Ausbildungsvertrag)

First: Basic requirements for training an apprentice (Azubi)

Being a qualified training company (Ausbildungsbetrieb):

• You must be professionally qualified yourself or employ a staff member who holds an Ausbildereignungsprüfung (AEVO) certificate or a Meisterbrief (master craftsman’s certificate).

• This suitability is assessed by the IHK (Chamber of Industry and Commerce) or by the HWK (Chamber of Crafts) in manual trades.

Registering your business as an approved training provider:

• You apply to the IHK/HWK to obtain the Zulassung zur Berufsausbildung (approval to provide vocational training).

---

Second: How do you register a vocational training contract (Ausbildungsvertrag)?

Steps:

Step – Details

1. Download the contract template

• From the website of your local IHK (e.g. IHK Berlin or IHK Flensburg)

• usually via the online system “Berufsausbildungsvertrag Online”.

2. Enter all required data

Typically includes:

• Name of the apprentice (Azubi)

• Company/business details

• Chosen vocational occupation (e.g. Verkäufer/in, retail sales assistant)

• Duration of the training

• Agreed weekly working hours

• Monthly training allowance (apprentice wage)

3. Sign the contract

• Signed by the employer (or the legal representative of the company)

• Signed by the apprentice

• If the apprentice is under 18, the legal guardian must also sign.

4. Submit the signed contract to the IHK

• Either by post

• or via the IHK’s online portal

• After review, the contract is officially recorded and registered by the IHK/HWK.

5. Enrolment at the vocational school (Berufsschule)

• Usually done by the apprentice

• often with support or confirmation from the employer.

6. Registering the apprentice with social security (Sozialversicherung)

• Typically handled via a tax advisor (Steuerberater)

• or via a payroll/accounting software.

---

Documents required when submitting the contract

• Original vocational training contract with all signatures

• Medical certificate of fitness for work

  • for minors: medical certificate according to JArbSchG (Youth Employment Protection Act)

• School certificate (if requested by the IHK)

• Proof of trainer qualification (e.g. AEVO certificate)

---

Important legal notes

• The monthly wage must comply with the statutory minimum remuneration for apprentices (Mindestvergütung für Azubis)

  • e.g. €649 in the first training year 2025.

• Weekly working hours must not exceed 40 hours per week,

  • with stricter limits for minors under the Youth Employment Protection Act.

• The apprentice must attend weekly theoretical vocational training at the Berufsschule as part of the dual system (duales Ausbildungssystem).

The editorial team of the website makes every effort to provide accurate information based on thorough research and consultation of multiple sources. However, errors may occur or some information may not be fully confirmed. Therefore, the information provided in the articles should be regarded as an initial point of reference, and you should always contact the competent authorities for definitive and legally binding information.