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Vocational training in Germany (Ausbildung)

Livestock farmer (Tierwirt/Tierwirtin)

Tierwirt / Tierwirtin

You rear, feed and care for animals on a livestock farm: a 3-year training, paid from the first year, with 5 possible specialisms.

Check my eligibility →I already have B2
LevelBaccalaureaterequired
Duration3 years36 months
GermanB2required level
Pay during training€979 to €1,166gross / month, during the training
The occupation in 30 seconds

What a livestock farmer does

They rear, keep and care for the animals of a commercial farm, in order to sell the animals or their products. The training offers 5 specialisms: cattle, pigs, poultry, sheep (Schäferei) and beekeeping.

Feed

Compose and give out rations, adapting feeding to the age and output of the animals.

Care

Monitor the health of the herd, apply preventive measures and clean the buildings.

Rear

Follow breeding, assist births, rear young animals and sell the production.

This occupation is for you if…

  • you like animals and watch their behaviour closely
  • you are careful and keep accurate records
  • you have a taste for technology and barn equipment
  • you accept regular work, including at weekends

Less suitable if…

  • you cannot stand barn smells and dirt
  • you are uncomfortable around animals
  • you refuse repetitive, physical work

Advantages

  • Paid from the 1st year
  • 5 specialisms: cattle, pigs, poultry, sheep, bees
  • Hands-on work with live animals
  • Master (Meister) prospects in animal husbandry

Difficulties

  • Physical, regular work, weekends included
  • Smells, dirt and frequent cleaning
  • Heavy responsibility for animal health
  • Trainee pay below the average
Day to day

A typical day and the key skills

Round of the animalsCheck the health and behaviour of the animals, for example of a herd of cattle.
Feeding the animalsPrepare and give out the rations, then check that each animal is eating properly.
Care and preventionApply health measures and treat sick animals following the vet's instructions.
Cleaning the barnsClean and disinfect the animals' housing and check the equipment.
Breeding and young stockWatch for heat, help with births and rear the young animals.
Keeping the recordsNote performance and treatments in the farm's livestock records.

Technical skills

Animal feedingAnimal health and hygieneBreeding and rearingHousing and barn equipmentMachinery and maintenanceKeeping livestock records

Personal qualities

ObservationCare and accuracySense of responsibilityTechnical sensePatience
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

Basic training

≈ €979gross / month
  • Farm, safety, animal welfare
  • Feeding and housing animals
  • Animal health and hygiene
Year 2

The specialism

≈ €1,061gross / month
  • Husbandry for your specialism
  • Breeding and production
  • Intermediate exam
Year 3

Independence

≈ €1,166gross / month
  • Running the livestock independently
  • Selling produce, costing
  • 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) takes place before the end of the 2nd year: 2 practical tasks (up to 3 hours) and a written paper of up to 120 minutes. The final exam has a practical part of up to 7 hours (2 tasks with a technical discussion) and written papers specific to your specialism. The certificate is issued under the authority of the Chamber of Agriculture (Landwirtschaftskammer).
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 fitnessBERUFENET cites observation, manual skill, technical sense and care, for example for keeping records and cleaning barns and machinery.
Documents to prepare
  • CV and cover letter in German
  • Translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts
  • German B2 level certificate

Where it can lead

Straight awayQualified livestock farmerJobs on livestock farms, at insemination stations, in research institutions or in agricultural trade.
With experienceCare specialistTrain as a Klauenpfleger (hoof trimmer) or Fachagrarwirt Klauenpflege (agricultural specialist).
Longer termMaster of livestock (Meister)Take the Tierwirtschaftsmeister or the Landwirtschaftsmeister to run a farm.
Already B2? Take action

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

Employers in the “Agriculture, environment and sciences” sector are currently looking for candidates in Africa on AZUFA.

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

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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
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AZUFA is always us

Our platform connects you with German companies recruiting apprentices.

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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

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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.
Which specialisms can you choose?
The regulation provides 5 specialisms (Fachrichtungen): cattle, pig, poultry, sheep (Schäferei) and beekeeping. You choose one of them.
In the same category

Other trainings: Agriculture, environment and sciences

All trainings →
Landwirt/LandwirtinAgriculteur / Agricultrice36 monthsFlorist/FloristinFleuriste36 monthsGärtner/GärtnerinJardinier / Jardinière (horticulteur)36 monthsBiologielaborant/BiologielaborantinLaborantin / Laborantine en biologie42 monthsChemielaborant/ChemielaborantinLaborantin / Laborantine en chimie42 monthsForstwirt/ForstwirtinSylviculteur / Sylvicultrice (agent forestier)36 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
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