Skip to main content
Campus AllemagneThe portal to opportunities in Germany, done right!
Vocational training in Germany (Ausbildung)

Butcher (Fleischer/in)

Fleischer / Fleischerin

You cut meat, make sausages and ready meals and advise customers: a 3-year training, paid from the first year, alternating between the workplace and school.

Check my eligibility →I already have B2
LevelBaccalaureaterequired
Duration3 years36 months
GermanB2required level
Pay during training€1,031 to €1,276gross / month, during the training
The occupation in 30 seconds

What a butcher does

They assess the quality of meat, cut it and prepare it for sale or process it into sausages, dishes and preserves; depending on the post, they also slaughter animals.

Cut

Assess the quality of the meat, cut and bone it, then prepare it for sale.

Process

Cook, mince, smoke and season to make sausages, cured products and ready meals.

Sell and serve

Present products at the counter, advise customers, prepare dishes for a party service.

This occupation is for you if…

  • you enjoy manual work with knives and cutting machines
  • you follow hygiene and animal welfare rules without fail
  • you have a good sense of taste and smell for checking quality
  • you like advising customers and presenting products

Less suitable if…

  • you struggle with the smell of raw meat or the sight of blood
  • you do not want to take part in slaughtering animals
  • you struggle with cold, heat and damp

Advantages

  • Paid from the first year
  • Qualification recognised throughout Germany
  • Jobs in crafts, industry and retail
  • Possibility of setting up your own business

Difficulties

  • Physical work: lifting and carrying loads
  • Cold, heat and damp depending on the room
  • Contact with raw meat, blood, even slaughter
  • A grounding in German is needed to advise
Day to day

A typical day and the key skills

Start of shift and instructionsThe trainer assigns the day's tasks and recalls the hygiene and safety rules.
Cutting and boningCut joints of meat with knives, wearing protective gloves and an apron.
Making sausagesMince, season and fill the casings, then cook or smoke according to the recipe.
Preparing for salePortion, season and marinate the meats, then fill the delicatessen counter.
Advising customersAnswer customers' questions about products, cooking methods and storage.
Cleaning and checkingClean the machines and rooms, check temperatures and note the stock.

Technical skills

Cutting and boningSausage makingSmoking and curingFood hygieneReady mealsAdvice and selling

Personal qualities

Manual dexterityRigourHygiene awarenessStaminaPeople skills
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

≈ €1,031gross / month
  • Hygiene and food law
  • Assessing and cutting carcasses
  • First cooked sausages
Year 2

Production

≈ €1,138gross / month
  • Cooked and scalded sausages
  • Roasts and ready-to-cook products
  • Intermediate exam
Year 3

Mastery

≈ €1,276gross / month
  • Cured meats, mince, packaging
  • 2 options chosen by the employer
  • 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 of 5 tasks (up to 8 hours) with a 15-minute discussion, then a written part in 3 subjects. The qualification is issued by the HWK (Chamber of Crafts) or the IHK (Chamber of Commerce) depending on the employer.
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 requires strength to lift and carry carcasses, tolerance of cold, heat, damp and strong smells and, in slaughterhouses, a steady nervous system.
Documents to prepare
  • CV and cover letter in German
  • Translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts
  • German B2 level certificate

Where it can lead

Straight awaySkilled butcherJobs in craft butchers, the meat industry, retail or slaughterhouses.
With experienceFurther trainingSpecialise (party service, ready meals) or become a technician (Techniker) in food technology.
Longer termMaster butcher or studiesTake the Fleischermeister (master butcher) exam, open your own shop 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 “Butcher (Fleischer/in)” occupation: companies recruiting apprentices can find you, and we follow your application step by step.

Create my candidate accountI already have an account: log in

Free registration on AZUFA.

No offer for now?

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

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

Telegram channelWhatsApp channel

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).
Is slaughtering part of the training?
It is one of the options: the employer chooses 2 options, at least one from slaughter, special products or dishes. The post therefore depends on your employer.
In the same category

Other trainings: Crafts, design and creative trades

All trainings →
Bäcker/BäckerinBoulanger / Boulangère36 monthsFachkraft für VeranstaltungstechnikAgent / Agente qualifié(e) de technique événementielle36 monthsFriseur/FriseurinCoiffeur / Coiffeuse36 monthsMediengestalter Bild und Ton/Mediengestalterin Bild und TonConcepteur / Conceptrice médias image et son36 monthsKeramiker/KeramikerinCéramiste36 monthsGraveur/GraveurinGraveur / Graveuse36 months

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
Check my eligibilityWhatsApp
Take the testWhatsApp