IT-Anwendungsentwicklung -Ausbildung

From my understanding there is a high demand for most, if not all, kinds of IT jobs. Not all can be done with just English though. Any foreigner can apply for Ausbildung vocational training. They just have to have the academic requirements including at least a B1 if not B2 level of German. It is independent of citizenship but recognition of academic degrees might be more complicated for certain countries and/or institutions.  This is not a prejudice due to nationality but some countries might have less transparency or lower or simply different standards that don’t comply with German norms.

While all Ausbildungs are taught in German, one might find a University program in a related field offered in English, especially on the master level. This can be something interesting for one who speaks good English but little German. Problem is then, if one expects to stay on and work in Germany because even in technical fields most jobs will require a high level of German. But one can look for work elsewhere or theoretically learn German parallel while doing their degree.

Hello everyone,

Please note that this thread has been moved to the Berlin forum.

Cheers,

Cheryl

Expat.com team

Any foreigner can apply for Ausbildung vocational training. They just have to have the academic requirements including at least a B1 if not B2 level of German. - @TominStuttgart

Sorry, but I have to correct this:

An "Ausbildung" (apprenticeship) is, for most professions, a dual training by practical work plus classes in a vocational school ("Berufsschule"). Since these classes are always in German, C1 language skills are usually required before you enroll.

I know of one case (in a shortage profession, not IT), where the apprentice was accepted with only B2, but she was told to get C1 within 6 months or be expelled. This was VERY hard to achieve, besides regular work and Berufsschule classes, but she made it!

@beppi

Usually bachelor degrees will require a C1 level - as do some jobs like being a physician. Other medical related jobs like nurse, physical therapist or technician usually require B2. Otherwise the exact level for jobs is usually at the discretion of the employer. I can't say it isn't possible that an Ausbildung might require C1 depending on the field but it has never been the standard requirement.

Here are 2 links about the subject. The first is an official government site, page in English saying the standard is actually B1. The second is a non-government but I think reliable site, German only, also saying B1 is the standard.

https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/s … l-training

https://www.ausbildung.de/ratgeber/ausb … u-buerger/

@TominStuttgart

Hmm, there seems to be conflicting information around. The case I mentioned above was a nurse apprenticeship here in Stuttgart. The first six months were classes only and C1 was required. As I said, she was allowed in with B2, but had to get C1 before the classes are over and the actual hospital work starts (where misunderstanding the patient can have serious consequences). This might not be transferable to other professions.

For university enrollment, C1 is the standard (except Germanistik, where C2 is required). Even for courses taught in English, A1 or A2 is often asked for.

@beppi

According to the links I listed, B1 or B2 is usual for an Ausbildung but exact requirements will always vary according to the specific program. Because of this one always needs to look at the details and not assume all programs are the same as what someone else might have experienced. This is a general problem about immigration as well. Often one shares their experiences, which even if correctly described might not match someone elses situation. There are always multiple factors involved. 9 could match to someone else but then a single additional one differs and makes a significant difference.