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Courses in Germany for a probationary period of one to six months abroad, regardless of training courses'.
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
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 the end of the stay and the issue of a certificate.
www.ofaj.org/praxes-stages-hors-cursus
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, Duration: courses generally last a few months, over approximately 38-40 hours
especially mechanical engineering, aerospace, nanotechnology and biotechnology, per week (maximum eight hours per day). Courses of a few weeks, or of a longer
as well as transport and logistics, medicine and health or even energy and the duration (up to one year) are however possible. The duration depends on the
environment. The German educational system strongly emphasises practice in course objective.
business; alternance vocational training is a real springboard to employment. The
practice of internships is therefore very widespread. Remuneration: mandatory courses carried out in the context of school or university
receive no financial compensation. On the other hand, since the introduction of
Name and legal framework a minimum wage in Germany in 2015, non-mandatory courses lasting for more
There are several types of course in Germany. than three months must be paid. The amount depends on the trainee's age, the
✓ Praktikum is the generic name, lasting for two to six months, unpaid, duration of the course and the professional sector. A trainee of under 18 years of
sometimes with compensation age is generally not paid unless he has completed his vocational curriculum.
✓ Pflichtpraktikum: mandatory, and included in a training course. Further information: www.der-mindestlohn-wirkt.de/ml/DE/Ihre-Fragen/
(Vorpraktikum: before starting training / Fachpraktikum: during training) Mindestlohn-und-Praktikum/inhalt.html
✓ Schulerbetriebspraktikum: certain weeks for high school students Administrative formalities: The establishment of a course contract is
✓ Schnupperpraktikum: a few days of observation recommended between the trainee or training institution and the company setting
✓ Famulatur: mandatory in medicine and pharmacy 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
✓ Anerkennungspraktikum:mandatory at the end of theoretical studies; stages at the beginning of this booklet.
necessary for the recognition of a profession According to the German Civil Code, the German employer must provide a course
✓ Freiwilliges Praktikum: on a personal initiative to facilitate professional certificate at the end of the training period indicating the tasks performed by the
integration trainee.
✓ Trainee: allows companies to recruit and train graduates. 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
Unlike France, there is, however no real definition of a 'course', even if it is very (Aufenthaltsgenehmigung) on presentation of proof of resources, an attestation of
widespread in vocational training as well as in the institutions of higher education. residence (Wohnungsbescheinigung) and a valid piece of identification.
Most of the Fachhochschulen/University of applied sciences require a course to be Practical life
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 Cost of living: on average, the cost of living is close to that of France; however,
for specific information on the Institutions' websites). Germany is a federal republic, and there may be considerable differences,
For more information, the information centre on Germany, CIDAL, publishes a depending on the city or the region concerned. The cost of living will be higher in
downloadable guide each year: Search for Jobs and Courses in Germany, www. cities such as Munich, Hamburg or Düsseldorf, and lower in the eastern regions.
allemagneenfrance.diplo.de To compare places: www.lecoutdelexpat.com
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,

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