After Ausbildung: Your Next Steps

October 27, 2026 T. Ausbildung Corner

Short answer: Your training ends when the training period ends, or earlier when the exam committee announces that you passed the final exam. Your employer does not have to keep you on, but if you keep working without any agreement, an open-ended contract is created. Further training and study are also possible.

This guide explains how a dual Ausbildung ends, what happens if you are kept on or not, and the main routes after training: further training (Fortbildung), funding and university study. It is general information, not legal advice. Residence and work-permit rules for foreign nationals are outside the scope of this site.

Table of Contents

When the training ends

Normal end. Under the Vocational Training Act (BBiG), the training ends when the training period ends.
Earlier end. If you pass the final exam before the end of the training period, it ends when the exam committee announces the result.
If you do not pass. On your request, the training is extended until the next possible repeat exam, by up to one year. See our guide to Ausbildung exams.
Reference. IHK Magdeburg says the employer must issue you a reference (Zeugnis) when the training ends.

Being kept on

The BBiG does not oblige an employer to offer you a job after the training. Your contract or a collective agreement may say otherwise, so check both. These rules matter:

Agreeing early is allowed. You may agree, within the last six months of the training, to start a job with the training company afterwards. See our guide to the Ausbildung contract.
Working on without an agreement. If you are employed after the training and nothing was agreed, the BBiG treats it as an employment relationship for an indefinite period.
Ask early. Ask your trainer or manager about their plans well before the final exam, so you can decide in time.
Get the new contract in writing. Compare pay, hours, probation and the job title before you agree.

Your options after training

Option	What it means	Where to start
Stay with your employer	A new employment contract after the training	Ask early and get it in writing
Change employer	Apply for jobs in your occupation with your qualification and reference	The Federal Employment Agency (BA) and employers’ career pages
Further training	A Fortbildung such as Fachwirt, Meister or Techniker	The responsible chamber and a training provider
University study	A degree, with or without Abitur, depending on the state	The university’s counselling service

Further training (Fortbildung)

The BBiG defines three levels of higher vocational training: Geprüfter Berufsspezialist as the first level, Bachelor Professional as the second and Master Professional as the third. Each Fortbildung has its own rules, which usually build on a completed Ausbildung and sometimes require work experience. BIBB lists examples such as Bachelor Professional in Marketing, in Foreign Trade and in Transport Management and Logistics, and Master Professional in Business Management. Well-known traditional titles are Meister, Fachwirt and Techniker.

Funding: Aufstiegs-BAföG

The Aufstiegs-BAföG (AFBG) supports advanced training such as Meister, Fachwirt and Techniker. According to the federal service description, it can fund course and exam costs: half is a grant that you do not repay, and half is a low-interest KfW loan. Support for living costs depends on your situation. The funding body checks the conditions, including those of the Fortbildung you choose, so ask the responsible AFBG office before you enrol.

Studying after Ausbildung

The trades association ZDH explains that a 2009 decision by the education ministers (KMK) set common criteria for people without an Abitur. Master craftspeople and holders of similar advanced qualifications get general access to university. Journeymen and others with a completed training get subject-linked access if they have three years of work experience and pass the university’s aptitude assessment. The decision has to be implemented in each state’s law, so details differ. Ask the university you are interested in. For the bigger picture, see our guide to Ausbildung vs university.

If you are not kept on

Many websites say trainees must register as job-seeking at least three months before the training ends. The Social Code III (§38) says this duty does not apply to a company-based training relationship. The Federal Employment Agency still advises you to contact it as early as possible if the training is ending and you have no job in sight. After the registration, the agency must offer career counselling. If you will be without a job, ask the Agentur für Arbeit when and how to register as unemployed, and whether you can claim unemployment benefit.

The last year of training, step by step

About six to twelve months before the end, ask your employer whether it plans to keep you on.
Decide whether you want to stay, change employer, take further training or study.
If you stay, get the new contract in writing and check pay, hours and probation.
If you leave, update your CV, ask for your reference and start applying.
If you are not sure you will have a job, contact the Agentur für Arbeit early.
If you plan further training or study, check the admission rules and funding before you enrol.

Common mistakes

Assuming you will be kept on automatically.
Waiting until after the exam to ask about your future.
Signing a new contract without comparing it to the old one.
Believing every website on registration rules. Check the statute and ask the agency.
Enrolling in a Fortbildung before checking admission and funding.
Paying anyone for a job offer. Real employers do not charge applicants.

Frequently asked questions

When does my Ausbildung end?

When the training period ends, or earlier when the exam committee announces that you passed the final exam.

Does my employer have to keep me on?

The BBiG does not require it. Check your contract and any collective agreement, and ask early.

What if I keep working after the training without a new contract?

If nothing was agreed, the law treats it as an employment relationship for an indefinite period. Still, get the terms in writing.

What further training can I do?

Common examples are Meister, Fachwirt and Techniker, and the formal levels Geprüfter Berufsspezialist, Bachelor Professional and Master Professional. The Aufstiegs-BAföG can fund parts of the costs.

Can I go to university after Ausbildung?

Often yes, even without Abitur. Advanced qualifications such as Meister give general access, and other trained applicants can get subject-linked access with work experience and an aptitude assessment. The rules depend on the state and the university.

Sources

Last updated: 28 October 2026. Rules and figures can change, so confirm details with the official source before you decide.

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