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Vocational training in Germany (Ausbildung)

Freight forwarding and logistics clerk (Kaufmann/-frau für Spedition und Logistik)

Kaufmann für Spedition und Logistikdienstleistung / Kauffrau für Spedition und Logistikdienstleistung

You organise the transport and storage of goods for customers: a 3-year business training, paid from the first year, at the heart of the supply chain.

Check my eligibility →Occupation brochure
LevelBaccalaureaterequired
Duration3 years36 months
GermanB2required level
Pay during training€1,119 to €1,287gross / month, during the training
The occupation in 30 seconds

What a freight forwarding and logistics clerk does

They coordinate everyone in a logistics chain, from shippers to end customers: they advise, calculate prices, choose carriers and prepare shipping and customs documents.

Advise

Advise customers on transport methods and packaging, calculate prices and draw up quotes.

Organise

Commission carriers, prepare shipping and customs documents and monitor orders.

Follow up

Handle complaints, record damage claims, organise settlements and deal with invoicing.

This occupation is for you if…

  • you like organising, planning and following up files
  • you are comfortable talking to customers, in English too
  • you are careful with figures and documents
  • you stay calm when a shipment is delayed

Less suitable if…

  • you dislike working on a screen and on the phone
  • you cannot cope with deadline pressure
  • you dislike administrative tasks and contracts
Day to day

A typical day in the workshop

Start of day and ordersReview of current shipments and of new customer requests.
Quote for a customerCalculating the price of a transport and choosing a suitable mode of transport.
Booking a carrierA carrier is chosen and the shipping documents are prepared.
Customs filePreparing the papers for a shipment abroad, with a partner, in English.
Following a delayed shipmentContacting the carrier and updating the customer on the situation.
Invoicing and checksIssuing the invoice and checking the day's costs.
Skills and qualities

What you will learn, what is expected of you

Technical skills

Calculating transport pricesShipping documentsCustoms formalitiesContracts and insuranceBusiness EnglishAccounting and cost control

Personal qualities

OrganisationRigourService mindsetCommunicationResponsiveness
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

Core skills

  • Company and workplace safety
  • Shipping and transport processes
  • Dangerous goods
Year 2

Transport and management

  • Shipping and warehousing
  • Accounting and cost calculation
  • Intermediate exam
Year 3

Specialisation

  • International shipping
  • Contracts, liability, insurance
  • Final exam

Exams and qualification

An intermediate exam (Zwischenprüfung) in the middle of the 2nd year. The final exam has three written papers (logistics services, commercial control, business and social studies) and a 30-minute professional discussion. You obtain 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
≈ €1,119
2nd year
≈ €1,206
3rd year
≈ €1,287
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
This is a commercial occupation, mostly carried out in an office, on a screen and on the phone, with exchanges in English with foreign partners.
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
  • Commercial role at the heart of transport
  • English used in everyday work
  • IHK certificate, Fachwirt Fortbildung possible

Difficulties

  • Work on a screen and on the phone
  • Pressure from delivery deadlines
  • Many rules, contracts and calculations
  • Complaints and disputes to handle
After the training

Where it can lead

Straight away

Transport business clerk

Jobs in transport, logistics or freight forwarding companies, in a commercial department.

With experience

Specialist in one area

Specialise in one field: shipping, warehousing, groupage transport, international or logistics services.

Longer term

Fachwirt für Güterverkehr

Bachelor Professional Fortbildung in freight transport and logistics, for management roles.

In the same category

Other trainings: Transport and logistics

Not quite convinced by this occupation? Here are related trainings in the same field.

Fachkraft für LagerlogistikAgent / Agente qualifié(e) en logistique d'entreposage36 monthsSee the sheet →Berufskraftfahrer/BerufskraftfahrerinConducteur / Conductrice professionnel(le) routier(ère)36 monthsSee the sheet →Eisenbahner im Betriebsdienst Lokführer und Transport/Eisenbahnerin im Betriebsdienst Lokführerin und TransportAgent / Agente ferroviaire — conduite et transport36 monthsSee the sheet →

See all trainings in this category →

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

Stay informed

Join our channels to receive new offers, session dates and advice. These are announcement channels: no private conversations.

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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 →

Freight forwarding and logistics clerk (Kaufmann/-frau für Spedition und Logistik)
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.
Is English used in this occupation?
Yes: the training covers the use of English in correspondence and in exchanges with foreign partners. A good level of English is useful.

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.

Check my eligibility →Write on WhatsApp
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
Check my eligibilityWhatsApp
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