Gardener (Gärtner/in)
You grow plants or design gardens and green spaces: a 3-year training, paid from the first year, with a specialism to choose from 7.
What a gardener does
Depending on the specialism, they propagate and grow plants, trees or vegetables, or create gardens, parks and sports grounds, planting, paving and building walls and steps.
Grow
Propagate and grow plants, trees or vegetables; water, feed, prune and protect the crops.
Landscape
Create gardens, parks and sports grounds: plant, pave paths, build walls, steps and fences.
Advise and sell
Sell plants and products and advise customers on where to put plants and how to care for them.
This occupation is for you if…
- you enjoy working outdoors, with plants and soil
- you have stamina and accept working on your knees or bent over
- you have a feel for colour and space to compose a planting scheme
- you are careful with machinery and plant treatment products
Less suitable if…
- you struggle with cold, rain, heat and pollen
- you are allergic to plants, dust or fertilisers
- you are looking for an office job or one without physical effort
A typical day in the workshop
What you will learn, what is expected of you
Technical skills
Planting and propagationPlant knowledgeSoils and substratesPlant protectionOperating machineryOutdoor landscapingCustomer advicePersonal qualities
StaminaSense of colourManual skillSense of responsibilityFlexibilityHow the Ausbildung works
In Germany you learn by working: this is the “dual system”. You are an employee of a company and a student at a vocational school (Berufsschule) at the same time.
Basic training
- Soils, earths and substrates
- Plant knowledge and care
- Machines, tools, safety
Your specialism
- Choice of 7 specialisms
- Techniques for the specialism
- Intermediate exam
Mastery
- Complete jobs in the specialism
- Selling, advising or site work
- Final exam
Exams and qualification
An intermediate exam (Zwischenprüfung) before the end of the second year: practical (3 tasks, up to 3 hours) and written (up to 90 minutes). The final exam in the chosen specialism: practical (5 tasks, up to 5 hours, explained orally) for 60% of the mark, then written and oral for 40%. The qualification is issued under the authority of the Chamber of Agriculture (Landwirtschaftskammer).
You are paid during the training
Gross monthly pay during the training. These amounts are averages: they vary by region, sector and collective agreement.
What you need to apply
Education level
German level
Physical fitness
Documents to prepare
- CV and cover letter in German
- Translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts
- German B2 level certificate
Advantages and difficulties
Advantages
- Paid from the first year
- Varied work: plants, sites, selling
- 7 specialisms to choose from
- Jobs in specialist firms and municipal gardens
Difficulties
- Physical work, often kneeling or bent over
- Weather, pollen and dust every day
- Handling plant treatment products and fertilisers
- Sites and workplaces that change often
Where it can lead
Skilled gardener
Jobs in the specialism: landscaping firms, municipal gardens or horticultural production.
Further training
Train further in horticulture or plant protection, or become a customer adviser in horticulture.
Master gardener or studies
Take the Gärtnermeister (master gardener) exam or become a technician (Techniker), set up on your own or study horticulture.
Other trainings: Agriculture, environment and sciences
Not quite convinced by this occupation? Here are related trainings in the same field.
We are by your side from day one until you arrive in Germany
Four steps to move forward, all run by our own structures.
Take the test online or at the office
The eligibility test is done online on our website, or by visiting our Douala office directly.
Take the testTalk to our team
Germany: +49 (0) 7033 694 18 80
Cameroon: +237 622 20 81 64
DZK, our language centre
Deutschzentrum KAGEDEV (DZK) is our own language centre in Douala. Outside Douala: partner language centres, call us to find the nearest one.
AZUFA is always us
AZUFA is our platform: it connects you with German companies that recruit apprentices and follows your application through to the training contract.
Go to AZUFAFrom German A1 to the first day of training in Germany
Each step is run by one of our structures. You keep the same contact from start to finish.
- 1
Check my eligibility
The test is done online on our website or at our Douala office.
Run by Campus Germany
- 2
Talk to an advisor
Review your profile, your wishes and the chosen occupation.
- 3
Learn German, from A1 to B2
Courses adapted to your starting level, up to the required B2 level. In Douala at our own language centre; elsewhere, with our partner centres.
Run by DZK
- 4
Prepare the application file
CV and cover letter in German, translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts, B2 level certificate.
- 5
Find the company and sign the training contract
We connect you with German companies that recruit apprentices, and follow your application through to the contract.
Run by AZUFA
- 6
Prepare the visa and paperwork
Support to gather the documents and complete the administrative steps.
- 7
Prepare your departure and settling in
Travel, housing and first steps in Germany: we prepare you before you leave.
Run by KAGEDEV e.V.
- 8
First day of training in Germany
You arrive prepared and supported, with a team that has known you since day one.
Stay informed
Join our channels to receive new offers, session dates and advice. These are announcement channels: no private conversations.
Our structures for this occupation
Our platform for recruiting apprentices and skilled staff from Africa: matching with German companies through to the training contract.
Our own German language centre, in Douala. Outside Douala: partner centres.
Training offers for this occupation
No offer is open here at the moment. Browse apprenticeship offers on AZUFA, or receive an e-mail as soon as a partner company recruits.
See offers on AZUFA →Take this sheet with you
A 5-page document to read offline or show your family: the occupation, the training, the pay and the whole pathway, from German A1 to the first day of training.
Download the brochure (PDF)You may be wondering…
What German level is required?
How long does the training last?
Am I paid during the training?
Where can I take the eligibility test?
Where can I learn German?
Which specialisms are available?
Is the first year the same for every specialism?
Ready to find out whether this occupation is for you?
Take the test online or come and see us at the office. We are by your side from day one until you arrive in Germany.