Public administration clerk (Verwaltungsfachangestellte/r)
You handle citizens' requests and manage files in a public authority: a 3-year training, paid from the first year, with five specialisms.
What a public administration clerk does
They work in a federal, state, local or other public body: they process requests, write decisions and deal with personnel, the budget or purchasing.
Process requests
Examine citizens' requests, apply the rules and prepare the authority's decisions.
Manage files
Keep case files, write letters and follow procedures accurately.
Administer
Contribute to the department's personnel, budget, accounts or purchasing management.
This occupation is for you if…
- you like applying rules in a fair and precise way
- you are comfortable with writing and case files
- you enjoy informing and helping the public
- you want a useful job in the public service
Less suitable if…
- you do not like office work and written procedures
- you struggle with detailed rules of law
- you want a mainly manual or outdoor job
A typical day in the workshop
What you will learn, what is expected of you
Technical skills
Administrative lawWriting decisionsPublic budget and accountingPersonnel and payrollPublic procurementServing the publicPersonal qualities
AccuracyPublic service ethosImpartialityDiscretionCommunicationHow 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 administration
- Office tools and communication
- Budget and accounting
Law and personnel
- Administrative law and procedure
- Personnel and purchasing
- Intermediate exam
The specialism
- Chosen specialism (12 months)
- Applying the law to cases
- Final exam
Exams and qualification
A written intermediate exam (Zwischenprüfung) takes place around the middle of the 2nd year. The final exam has four written papers (administration management, personnel, administrative law, economics and society) and a practical test applying the law to cases. You obtain the certificate as a public administration clerk (Verwaltungsfachangestellter), issued by the competent public body.
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
- Work in the public service
- Five specialisms to choose from
- Regular training pay
- Varied work: law, personnel, budget, purchasing
Difficulties
- Detailed administrative law and procedures
- Mostly sedentary work
- Administrative vocabulary in German
- Procedures that can be long and formal
Where it can lead
Administrative clerk
Work in a town hall, a state, the federal administration, a chamber or a church administration.
Verwaltungsfachwirt
Further training within the administration to take on more qualified roles.
Betriebswirt or Fachkaufmann
Other further qualifications, for example in business management or specialised functions.
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 are the five possible specialisms?
How is the training split over the 3 years?
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.