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Vocational training in Germany (Ausbildung)

IT specialist (Fachinformatiker/in)

Fachinformatiker / Fachinformatikerin

You develop software, configure systems or work with data: a 3-year training, paid from the first year, in four IT specialisations.

LevelBaccalaureaterequired
Duration3 years36 months
GermanB2required level
Pay during training€1,211 to €1,356gross / month, during the training
The occupation in 30 seconds

What an IT specialist does

They work in the IT sector or in almost every part of the economy. Depending on the specialisation, they develop applications, set up systems, connect equipment or analyse data.

Develop

In application development: design, program and test software tailored to needs.

Integrate systems

In system integration: plan, configure and run IT systems and networks.

Connect and analyse

In digital networking or data analysis: connect equipment, ensure data quality.

This occupation is for you if…

  • you like understanding how IT systems work
  • you have a logical mind and solve problems methodically
  • you are ready to keep learning new technologies
  • you can explain a technical problem to a customer

Less suitable if…

  • you dislike working at a screen for long periods
  • you dislike very logical, detailed tasks
  • you do not want to follow fast-changing tools
Day to day

A typical day in the workshop

Team meeting and ticketsThe team shares the day's tasks and the user requests to handle.
Analysing a requestUnderstanding a customer's or department's need before choosing a solution.
Programming or configuringWriting code or configuring a system depending on the chosen specialisation.
Testing and fixingChecking the result, finding the cause of a fault and correcting it.
Security and data protectionApplying IT security and data protection rules.
Documentation and exchangeRecording the work done and explaining the solution to the user.
Skills and qualities

What you will learn, what is expected of you

Technical skills

ProgrammingSystem configurationComputer networksIT securityData analysisProject management

Personal qualities

LogicCuriosityRigourPatienceCommunication
The training

How 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.

3 to 4 days a week at the company
1–2 days school
Year 1

Common foundations

  • IT workstation
  • Programming basics
  • Security and data protection
Year 2

Specialisation

  • Deepening the specialisation
  • Projects for customers
  • Part 1 of the final exam
Year 3

Professional project

  • Full project on your own
  • Documentation and presentation
  • Part 2 of the final exam

Exams and qualification

There is no intermediate exam: the final exam is spread over two parts. Part 1 takes place in the fourth half-year of training (a 90-minute written paper on setting up an IT workstation). Part 2 includes a professional project and written papers. Qualification: the Abschlusszeugnis of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK).

Pay

You are paid during the training

Gross monthly pay during the training. These amounts are averages: they vary by region, sector and collective agreement.

1st year
≈ €1,211
2nd year
≈ €1,279
3rd year
≈ €1,356
Requirements

What you need to apply

Education level
Baccalaureate level is required.
German level
The required level is B2. Good technical vocabulary for the trade is a real plus.
Physical fitness
The work is mostly sedentary, at a screen, in a company or for customers. No particular physical fitness is required.
Documents to prepare
  • CV and cover letter in German
  • Translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts
  • German B2 level certificate
The reality of the job

Advantages and difficulties

Advantages

  • Paid from the 1st year
  • Four specialisations to choose from
  • Jobs in almost every sector
  • IHK certificate, Bachelor Professional Fortbildung

Difficulties

  • A lot of time seated at a screen
  • Constant learning of new technologies
  • Final exam with a project to present
  • Security and data rules to follow
After the training

Where it can lead

Straight away

Qualified IT specialist

Jobs in the IT sector, in companies or in organisations, in the chosen specialisation.

With experience

Specialist in one field

Specialise in development, systems, data or digital networking.

Longer term

Bachelor Professional in IT

A DQR level 6 Fortbildung, presented as an alternative to university studies.

Your pathway with Campus Germany

We are by your side from day one until you arrive in Germany

Four steps to move forward, all run by our own structures.

Check my eligibility

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 test
Talk to an advisor

Talk to our team

Germany: +49 (0) 7033 694 18 80
Cameroon: +237 622 20 81 64

Prepare your German

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.

Get the contract

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 AZUFA

From 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. 1

    Check my eligibility

    The test is done online on our website or at our Douala office.

    Campus GermanyRun by Campus Germany
  2. 2

    Talk to an advisor

    Review your profile, your wishes and the chosen occupation.

    Campus GermanyRun by Campus Germany
  3. 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.

    DZKRun by DZK
  4. 4

    Prepare the application file

    CV and cover letter in German, translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts, B2 level certificate.

    Campus GermanyRun by Campus Germany
  5. 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.

    AZUFARun by AZUFA
  6. 6

    Prepare the visa and paperwork

    Support to gather the documents and complete the administrative steps.

    Campus GermanyRun by Campus Germany
  7. 7

    Prepare your departure and settling in

    Travel, housing and first steps in Germany: we prepare you before you leave.

    KAGEDEV e.V.Run by KAGEDEV e.V.
  8. 8

    First day of training in Germany

    You arrive prepared and supported, with a team that has known you since day one.

    AZUFARun by AZUFA

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Our structures for this occupation

AZUFA
AZUFA
Our platform for recruiting apprentices and skilled staff from Africa: matching with German companies through to the training contract.
See AZUFA
DZK
Deutschzentrum KAGEDEV (DZK)
Our own German language centre, in Douala. Outside Douala: partner centres.
See the offer

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 →

IT specialist (Fachinformatiker/in)
Occupation brochure

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)
Frequently asked questions

You may be wondering…

What German level is required?
Level B2 is required. You do not need perfect German, but you must be able to follow lessons and understand safety instructions.
How long does the training last?
36 months, i.e. 3 years.
Am I paid during the training?
Yes. You receive a monthly pay throughout the training, and it generally increases each year.
Where can I take the eligibility test?
Online on our website, or directly at our Douala office.
Where can I learn German?
In Douala, at our language centre DZK. Elsewhere, at our partner language centres: call us to find the nearest one.
What specialisations are available?
Four: application development, system integration, data and process analysis, and digital networking. The specialisation is chosen with the training company.

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.

Germany+49 (0) 7033 694 18 80
Cameroon+237 622 20 81 64
Douala office : Rond-point Maetur Bonamoussadi – Nice Cream building (4th floor), opposite the COGENI hardware store, Douala, Cameroon
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