Page 40 - BROCHURE-EUROGUIDANCE

Courses in Germany for a probationary period of one to six months abroad, regardless of training courses'.
Germany is the leading economic power in Europe, and the fourth
in the world. With many large groups as well as a great number of SMEs, the
German world of work is recognised for its rigour and its skilled labour force.
Many economic sectors are important in Germany. To name but a few: industry,
especially mechanical engineering, aerospace, nanotechnology and biotechnology,
as well as transport and logistics, medicine and health or even energy and the
environment. The German educational system strongly emphasises practice in
business; alternance vocational training is a real springboard to employment. The
practice of internships is therefore very widespread.
Name and legal framework
There are several types of course in Germany.
✓ Praktikum is the generic name, lasting for two to six months, unpaid,
sometimes with compensation
✓ Pflichtpraktikum: mandatory, and included in a training course.
(Vorpraktikum: before starting training / Fachpraktikum: during training)
✓ Schulerbetriebspraktikum: certain weeks for high school students
✓ Schnupperpraktikum: a few days of observation
✓ Famulatur: mandatory in medicine and pharmacy
✓ Anerkennungspraktikum:mandatory at the end of theoretical studies;
necessary for the recognition of a profession
✓ Freiwilliges Praktikum: on a personal initiative to facilitate professional
integration
✓ Trainee: allows companies to recruit and train graduates.
Unlike France, there is, however no real definition of a 'course', even if it is very
widespread in vocational training as well as in the institutions of higher education.
Most of the Fachhochschulen/University of applied sciences require a course to be
taken before a training course may be started. This is also increasingly widespread
in the universities, particularly in the science, economic and social domains (look
for specific information on the Institutions' websites).
For more information, the information centre on Germany, CIDAL, publishes a
downloadable guide each year: Search for Jobs and Courses in Germany, www.
allemagneenfrance.diplo.de
The Praxes program in the Office franco-allemand de la jeunesse (OFAJ) for a course
other than for studying is aimed at young people of 30 to 1 years wanting to 'work as staff,
40
The OFAJ guarantees the legal framework of practical placements, the follow-up
and placement of trainees, an insurance package, the evaluation of the course at
the end of the stay and the issue of a certificate.
www.ofaj.org/praxes-stages-hors-cursus
Duration: courses generally last a few months, over approximately 38-40 hours
per week (maximum eight hours per day). Courses of a few weeks, or of a longer
duration (up to one year) are however possible. The duration depends on the
course objective.
Remuneration: mandatory courses carried out in the context of school or university
receive no financial compensation. On the other hand, since the introduction of
a minimum wage in Germany in 2015, non-mandatory courses lasting for more
than three months must be paid. The amount depends on the trainee's age, the
duration of the course and the professional sector. A trainee of under 18 years of
age is generally not paid unless he has completed his vocational curriculum.
Further information: www.der-mindestlohn-wirkt.de/ml/DE/Ihre-Fragen/
Mindestlohn-und-Praktikum/inhalt.html
Administrative formalities: The establishment of a course contract is
recommended between the trainee or training institution and the company setting
out, in particular, the objectives, duration and indemnity of the possible course.
For an example of a course contract in German, refer to Key Point 7: administrative
stages at the beginning of this booklet.
According to the German Civil Code, the German employer must provide a course
certificate at the end of the training period indicating the tasks performed by the
trainee.
If the period of training lasts for more than three months, the trainee must
go to the Aliens Office (Ausländeramt) which delivers an authorisation to stay
(Aufenthaltsgenehmigung) on presentation of proof of resources, an attestation of
residence (Wohnungsbescheinigung) and a valid piece of identification.
Practical life
Cost of living: on average, the cost of living is close to that of France; however,
Germany is a federal republic, and there may be considerable differences,
depending on the city or the region concerned. The cost of living will be higher in
cities such as Munich, Hamburg or Düsseldorf, and lower in the eastern regions.
To compare places: www.lecoutdelexpat.com
41