Industrial clerk (Industriekaufmann/Industriekauffrau)
You handle purchasing, sales, staff and figures in an industrial company: a 3-year training, paid from the first year, opening the door to many departments.
What an industrial clerk does
They run part of the business processes of an industrial company: purchasing, logistics, marketing, sales, personnel, accounting and cost monitoring, mostly in an office.
Buy and deliver
Order materials and products, monitor stock and organise logistics through to delivery.
Sell
Advise customers, prepare quotations, follow orders and take part in marketing activities.
Steer
Monitor costs, accounts and staff data to help management make decisions.
This occupation is for you if…
- you like organising, planning and following up files
- you are comfortable with numbers and computers
- you enjoy working with several different departments
- you are curious about how a company works
Less suitable if…
- you do not like office work in front of a screen
- you want a mainly manual or outdoor job
- you struggle with repetitive administrative tasks
A typical day in the workshop
What you will learn, what is expected of you
Technical skills
Purchasing and logisticsSales and marketingBasic accountingCost monitoringPersonnel administrationBusiness softwarePersonal qualities
Organisation skillsAccuracyHead for numbersCommunicationTeam spiritHow 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.
The basics
- Organisation of the company
- Production, purchasing, logistics
- Basic accounting
The functions
- Marketing and sales
- Personnel management
- Final exam, part 1
Going deeper
- Financial and cost monitoring
- Task specific to a department
- Final exam, part 2
Exams and qualification
The final exam is in two parts (gestreckte Abschlussprüfung) and replaces the former intermediate exam. Part 1, in the 4th half-year, is a 90-minute written paper (25% of the mark). Part 2, at the end of training, has two written papers and a department task with a presentation. You obtain the IHK final certificate (Abschlusszeugnis IHK) as an industrial clerk.
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
- Versatile training that opens several departments
- Qualification recognised throughout Germany
- Jobs in almost every sector
- Further training possible after a few years
Difficulties
- A lot of time spent in front of a screen
- Administrative tasks that can be repetitive
- Business and accounting vocabulary in German
- Coordination with many departments
Where it can lead
Departmental clerk
A post in purchasing, sales, logistics, personnel or accounting in an industrial company.
Industriefachwirt (IHK)
Further qualification at bachelor level, to move into management roles in industry.
Betriebswirt (IHK)
After the Industriefachwirt, a higher further qualification in business management becomes accessible.
Other trainings: Management, finance and administration
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?
What is the two-part final exam?
In which areas does an industrial clerk work?
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.