Drugstore assistant (Drogist/in)
You advise customers on cosmetics, health and household products and look after the shelves: a 36-month training, paid from the first year, in a drugstore or a supermarket department.
What a Drogist does
The Drogist advises on skincare, supplements and over-the-counter remedies, runs the till, orders and stores stock, and makes the department look attractive.
Advise
Inform customers about cosmetic ingredients and how to use over-the-counter or plant-protection products.
Manage the shelves
Order, receive and store items, help choose the range and keep track of stock levels.
Present
Arrange the sales area and window, prepare promotions and operate the till.
This occupation is for you if…
- you enjoy advising people and talking with customers
- you are interested in cosmetics, health and well-being
- you are careful with money and safety rules
- you are happy to work on Saturdays
Less suitable if…
- you dislike constant contact with the public
- you struggle with product smells and artificial lighting
- you have no taste for figures and price calculations
A typical day in the workshop
What you will learn, what is expected of you
Technical skills
Cosmetics adviceOver-the-counter productsGoods receipt and storageStock controlTill and cash handlingMerchandising and windowsRules on hazardous productsPersonal qualities
People skillsReliabilityOrganisationListeningNumeracyHow 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.
Learning the drugstore
- Basic advice and selling
- Cosmetics, hygiene, receiving
- Safety, hazardous products
Widening the range
- Food and skincare products
- Sales accounting and buying
- Intermediate exam
Working independently
- Bookkeeping and stock
- Advertising and promotion
- Final exam
Exams and qualification
A written intermediate exam (Zwischenprüfung) of up to 180 minutes takes place in the middle of the second year. The final exam has three written papers (drugstore operations, goods and selling, economics and social studies) and a practical exercise of up to 45 minutes, under the authority of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK). You receive the IHK final certificate for the occupation of Drogist.
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
- Qualification recognised across Germany
- Varied work: advice, stock, till, windows
- Further training is possible afterwards
Difficulties
- Saturday work
- Long hours on your feet in the shop
- Artificial light and product smells
- Advising in German is demanding at first
Where it can lead
Qualified Drogist
Jobs in drugstores, supermarket departments or wholesale of cosmetics.
Store manager
Lead a team, run a sales outlet or move into specialist advice.
Handelsfachwirt or degree
Take the Handelsfachwirt (retail business specialist) or study with university access.
Other trainings: Trade and sales
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?
How is a Drogist different from a pharmacist?
Can I keep training afterwards?
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.