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Vocational training in Germany (Ausbildung)

Baker (Bäcker/in)

Bäcker / Bäckerin

You make bread, pastries and simple dishes in a bakery: a 3-year training, paid from the first year, alternating between the bakehouse and vocational school.

Check my eligibility →I already have B2
LevelBaccalaureaterequired
Duration3 years36 months
GermanB2required level
Pay during training€1,021 to €1,232gross / month, during the training
The occupation in 30 seconds

What a baker does

They prepare doughs to the recipe, monitor proving, load the ovens, then glaze and garnish the products; in craft bakeries they also sell them to customers.

Prepare the doughs

Weigh the ingredients, prepare doughs to the recipe and monitor how they prove.

Bake

Load the ovens and bake bread, rolls, puff, short and yeast pastries, cakes and tarts.

Decorate and sell

Glaze and garnish products, prepare snacks and small dishes, advise customers.

This occupation is for you if…

  • you are happy to start early in the morning and sometimes work on Sundays
  • you enjoy precise manual work, from shaping to decorating
  • you follow recipes and hygiene rules with care
  • you like advising customers and presenting products

Less suitable if…

  • you struggle with oven heat and flour dust
  • you have skin or breathing allergies linked to flour
  • you refuse to carry loads and stand for long periods

Advantages

  • Paid from the first year
  • Qualification recognised throughout Germany
  • Concrete work: you see the result every day
  • Jobs in both craft and industrial bakeries

Difficulties

  • Days that start very early in the morning
  • Physical work on your feet, in the heat
  • Flour and fumes: strain on skin and lungs
  • Irregular hours, sometimes on Sundays
Day to day

A typical day and the key skills

Start of shift and instructionsThe trainer assigns the day's batches and recalls the hygiene rules.
Weighing and preparing doughsWeigh the ingredients, mix the dough to the recipe and leave it to rise.
Shaping and bakingShape the loaves and rolls, load them into the oven and watch the baking.
Garnishing and decoratingGlaze, garnish and decorate the pastries following the head baker's instructions.
Snacks and small dishesPrepare filled snacks and simple small dishes using fresh ingredients.
Cleaning and checkingClean the equipment, check stock and note the quantities needed for tomorrow.

Technical skills

Dough preparationFermentation and sourdoughOven bakingPastry and decoratingFood hygieneAdvice and selling

Personal qualities

RigourSense of tasteManual dexterityStaminaHygiene awareness
The training

How the Ausbildung works, year by year

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

The basics

≈ €1,021gross / month
  • Hygiene, safety, equipment
  • Wheat breads and rolls
  • Pastries made from doughs
Year 2

Widening the range

≈ €1,091gross / month
  • Speciality breads and rolls
  • Cake batters and creams
  • Intermediate exam
Year 3

Mastery

≈ €1,232gross / month
  • Tarts, cakes and desserts
  • Snacks and small dishes
  • Final exam

Gross monthly pay during the training. Source: BIBB 2025, moyenne nationale. These are averages: they vary by region, sector and collective agreement.

Exams and qualification
An intermediate exam (Zwischenprüfung) before the end of the second year: practical (up to 4 hours) and written (up to 150 minutes). The final exam (Gesellenprüfung): a practical part A with 4 tasks (up to 8 hours) and a 15-minute discussion, and a written part B in 3 subjects. You obtain the Gesellenbrief (journeyman's certificate), issued by the Chamber of Crafts (HWK).
Requirements and prospects

Applying, then moving on

What you need to apply

Education levelBaccalaureate level is required.
German levelThe required level is B2. Good technical vocabulary for the trade is a real plus.
Physical fitnessThe job means standing, carrying loads such as flour sacks and working in oven heat and flour dust.
Documents to prepare
  • CV and cover letter in German
  • Translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts
  • German B2 level certificate

Where it can lead

Straight awaySkilled bakerJobs in craft bakeries, industrial bakeries, catering or the restaurant trade.
With experienceFurther trainingSpecialise in pastry or food hygiene, or become a technician (Techniker) in food technology.
Longer termMaster baker or studiesTake the Bäckermeister (master baker) exam, set up your own bakery or study if university entry is met.
Already B2? Take action

Already have German level B2 and looking for a training contract?

Employers in the “Crafts, design and creative trades” sector are currently looking for candidates in Africa on AZUFA.

Create your candidate profile, state your German level and the “Baker (Bäcker/in)” occupation: companies recruiting apprentices can find you, and we follow your application step by step.

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Get an alert as soon as a partner company recruits for this occupation.

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 on our website, or directly at our Douala office.

Take the test
Talk to an advisor

Talk to our team

Call us, an advisor will answer.

Germany+49 (0) 7033 694 18 80Cameroon+237 622 20 81 64
Need assistance
Prepare your German

DZK, our language centre

Our own language centre, in Douala. Elsewhere: partner centres, call us.

See the courses
Get the contract

AZUFA is always us

Our platform connects you with German companies recruiting apprentices.

Go to AZUFA

From German A1 to the first day of training in Germany

A pathway in a loopEach step is run by one of our structures. You keep the same contact from start to finish.
  1. 1

    Check my eligibility

    Campus GermanyCampus Germany
  2. 2

    Talk to an advisor

    Campus GermanyCampus Germany
  3. 3

    Learn German, from A1 to B2

    DZKDZK
    Douala: DZK centre. Elsewhere: partners
  4. 4

    Prepare the application file

    Campus GermanyCampus Germany
  5. 5

    Find the company and sign the training contract

    AZUFAAZUFA
    It is always us
  6. 6

    Prepare the visa and paperwork

    Campus GermanyCampus Germany
  7. 7

    Prepare your departure and settling in

    KAGEDEV e.V.KAGEDEV e.V.
  8. 8

    First day of training in Germany

    AZUFAAZUFA
    It is always us
See the detail of the 8 steps
  1. 1. Check my eligibility (Campus Germany)
    The test is done online on our website or at our Douala office.
  2. 2. Talk to an advisor (Campus Germany)
    Review your profile, your wishes and the chosen occupation.
  3. 3. Learn German, from A1 to B2 (DZK)
    Courses adapted to your starting level, up to the required B2 level. In Douala at our own language centre; elsewhere, with our partner centres.
  4. 4. Prepare the application file (Campus Germany)
    CV and cover letter in German, translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts, B2 level certificate.
  5. 5. Find the company and sign the training contract (AZUFA)
    We connect you with German companies that recruit apprentices, and follow your application through to the contract.
  6. 6. Prepare the visa and paperwork (Campus Germany)
    Support to gather the documents and complete the administrative steps.
  7. 7. Prepare your departure and settling in (KAGEDEV e.V.)
    Travel, housing and first steps in Germany: we prepare you before you leave.
  8. 8. First day of training in Germany (AZUFA)
    You arrive prepared and supported, with a team that has known you since day one.
  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 · Douala: DZK centre. Elsewhere: partners
  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 · It is always us
  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 · It is always us

Stay informed

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Our structures for this occupation

AZUFA
AZUFAOur 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
Occupation brochure

Take this sheet with you

Two documents to read offline or show your family: the 5-page brochure (occupation, training, pay, pathway) and the one-page flyer with the essentials.

Occupation brochure
Occupation brochurePDF, 5 pagesDownload the brochure
Flyer
FlyerPDF, 1 A4 pageDownload the flyer
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.
Do I need a health certificate to work?
Yes. Handling food requires an instruction session and a certificate from the health authority (Gesundheitsamt).
Will the baker training change?
A modernisation is announced for the baker and confectioner trades, including a final exam split into two separate parts. Check which version applies when you start.
In the same category

Other trainings: Crafts, design and creative trades

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Ready to find out whether this training 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 →Need assistanceWrite on WhatsApp
Germany+49 (0) 7033 694 18 80Cameroon+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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