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Vocational training in Germany (Ausbildung)

Bookbinder (Buchbinder/in)

Buchbinder / Buchbinderin

You make, repair and decorate books and other bound products, by hand or by machine. A 3-year training in a company and at vocational school.

Check my eligibility →I already have B2

LevelBaccalaureaterequired

Duration3 years36 months

GermanB2required level

Pay during training€1,050 to €1,285gross / month, during the training

The occupation in 30 seconds

What a bookbinder does

A bookbinder designs bound products in one-off or industrial production: they repair books, make special orders and, in production, run the machines and control the work steps.

Bind by hand

Make products using manual binding and casing-in techniques, for special orders.

Repair and restore

Repair damaged books and work carefully on the finishing or restoration of volumes.

Produce by machine

In industrial production, set up and run machines and control the production steps.

Is this occupation for you?Advantages and difficulties

This occupation is for you if…

you work carefully and have an eye for detail
you have manual skill and dexterity
you have a sense of aesthetics for decorating a book
you accept the responsibility of working on precious books

Less suitable if…

you dislike meticulous work that takes patience
you are looking for a job that is purely office-based
you do not want to work in a workshop or a production hall

Advantages

Paid training in a company
Concrete work, from single books to series
Options to shape your own path
Progression to Meister or restoration possible

Difficulties

Meticulous work that takes patience
Work mostly in workshops or halls
Some tasks are repetitive in series work
The first months in German take effort

Day to day

A typical day and the key skills

A typical daySkills and qualities

07:30

Reading the ordersThe trainer allocates the day's jobs: bindings to make and books to repair.

08:30

Setting up the workstationPrepare the materials, work out the quantities needed and set up the tools and machines required.

09:30

Making a volumeAssemble and bind a volume using manual or machine binding techniques.

11:30

Repairing a damaged bookCarefully restore the cover or spine of a damaged book.

14:00

Decoration and finishingAdd gilding, edging or a decoration to a product for a customer.

15:30

Checking and tidyingCheck the quality of the finished work, document the steps and tidy the workstation.

Technical skills

Hand bookbindingBook repairMachine set-upDecoration and finishingMaterial calculationQuality control

Personal qualities

CareManual skillAesthetic senseSense of responsibilityPatience

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

Basics of the trade

≈ €1,050gross / month

Planning and organising work
Preparing stations, tools, machines
First bound products

Year 2

Binding techniques

≈ €1,168gross / month

Making by hand and by machine
Choosing processing techniques
Intermediate exam (Zwischenprüfung)

Year 3

Chosen options

≈ €1,285gross / month

Two options, e.g. book repair
One-off or machine production
Final exam (Gesellenprüfung)

Gross monthly pay during the training. Source: ausbildung.de, fourchette 1ere-derniere annee communiquee par le client ; annee intermediaire estimee par interpolation lineaire, non verifiee independamment sur la page. 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 second year: written work planning and making a test piece. The final exam (Gesellenprüfung) has a practical task with a technical discussion, two written papers and a paper on economics and society. 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 work takes place mostly in workshops or production halls; it demands a lot of care, manual skill and precision, especially for finishing and restoration.

Documents to prepare

CV and cover letter in German
Translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts
German B2 level certificate

Where it can lead

Straight awaySkilled bookbinderWork in a print shop with a bindery, in print finishing or in a publishing house.

With experienceGestalter im HandwerkSpecialise in creative product design with the Gestalter (crafts designer) qualification.

Longer termMeister or restorerWork towards the Meister (master craftsman), antiquarian book restoration or a business management course.

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 “Bookbinder (Buchbinder/in)” 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.

Talk to an advisor

Talk to our team

Call us, an advisor will answer.

Germany+49 (0) 7033 694 18 80 Cameroon+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.

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
Check my eligibility
Campus Germany
2
Talk to an advisor
Campus Germany
3
Learn German, from A1 to B2
DZK
Douala: DZK centre. Elsewhere: partners
4
Prepare the application file
Campus Germany
5
Find the company and sign the training contract
AZUFA
It is always us
6
Prepare the visa and paperwork
Campus Germany
7
Prepare your departure and settling in
KAGEDEV e.V.
8
First day of training in Germany
AZUFA
It is always us

See the detail of the 8 steps

1. Check my eligibility (Campus Germany)
The test is done online on our website or at our Douala office.
2. Talk to an advisor (Campus Germany)
Review your profile, your wishes and the chosen occupation.
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. Prepare the application file (Campus Germany)
CV and cover letter in German, translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts, B2 level certificate.
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. Prepare the visa and paperwork (Campus Germany)
Support to gather the documents and complete the administrative steps.
7. Prepare your departure and settling in (KAGEDEV e.V.)
Travel, housing and first steps in Germany: we prepare you before you leave.
8. First day of training in Germany (AZUFA)
You arrive prepared and supported, with a team that has known you since day one.

1
Check my eligibility
The test is done online on our website or at our Douala office.
Run by Campus Germany
2
Talk to an advisor
Review your profile, your wishes and the chosen occupation.
Run by Campus Germany
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.
Run by DZK · Douala: DZK centre. Elsewhere: partners
4
Prepare the application file
CV and cover letter in German, translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts, B2 level certificate.
Run by Campus Germany
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.
Run by AZUFA · It is always us
6
Prepare the visa and paperwork
Support to gather the documents and complete the administrative steps.
Run by Campus Germany
7
Prepare your departure and settling in
Travel, housing and first steps in Germany: we prepare you before you leave.
Run by KAGEDEV e.V.
8
First day of training in Germany
You arrive prepared and supported, with a team that has known you since day one.
Run by AZUFA · It is always us

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Our structures for this occupation

AZUFAOur platform for recruiting apprentices and skilled staff from Africa: matching with German companies through to the training contract.

Deutschzentrum KAGEDEV (DZK)Our own German language centre, in Douala. Outside Douala: partner centres.

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.

What is a “Gesellenbrief”?

It is the journeyman's certificate awarded after the Gesellenprüfung. It shows that you have qualified as a skilled craft professional.

Can I choose a specialisation?

Yes: with the company you set, in the training contract, two options from a list, plus a choice between one-off and machine production.

In the same category

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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 assistance Write 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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