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Vocational training in Germany (Ausbildung)

Gold and silversmith (Gold- und Silberschmied/in)

Gold- und Silberschmied / Gold- und Silberschmiedin

You create gold jewellery or silver objects from a design: a 42-month training in a workshop and at a vocational school, with a choice between gold and silver smithing.

Check my eligibility →I already have B2

LevelBaccalaureaterequired

Duration3.5 years42 months

GermanB2required level

Pay during training€1,267 to €1,514gross / month, during the training

The occupation in 30 seconds

What a gold and silversmith does

They work precious metals by forging, casting and joining them, then polish and decorate the surface to produce a finished piece of jewellery or an object.

Design

Draw jewellery or objects, on their own or from a client's request, sometimes using software.

Make

Forge, cast, solder and join gold, silver and other metals, then set the stones.

Repair and finish

Polish, decorate surfaces, repair or rework pieces and advise clients.

Is this occupation for you?Advantages and difficulties

This occupation is for you if…

you have manual dexterity and good hand-eye coordination
you enjoy drawing and imagining precise shapes
you are very careful and notice the smallest details
you have a sense of aesthetics and creativity

Less suitable if…

you dislike meticulous work that takes a lot of patience
you cope badly with fine dust and some smells
you want a job of broad movements, with no precision work

Advantages

A creative trade where you make one-off pieces
Two specialisations: gold or silver smithing
Openings: workshops, jewellers, industry, design studios
Option to take the Meister or set up your own workshop

Difficulties

Meticulous work that demands a lot of concentration
Fine dust and smells in workshops
A long training: 42 months in total
A collective pay scale exists only in Baden-Württemberg

Day to day

A typical day and the key skills

A typical daySkills and qualities

08:00

Designing a piece of jewelleryMake sketches and a production drawing from a client's request.

09:30

Casting and shapingMelt the metal, cast it, forge it or draw it out to get the shape you want.

11:00

Joining by solderingJoin the parts by soldering and fit the clasps with precision.

13:30

Setting the stonesChoose the right mount and fix the stone in its metal seat.

15:00

Polishing and finishingGrind, polish or matt the surfaces until they have the look you want.

16:30

Repairs and adviceInspect a piece for repair and explain the work needed to the client.

Technical skills

Drawing and designMetal melting and castingForging and shapingSoldering and joiningStone settingSurface polishingJewellery repair

Personal qualities

PrecisionCreativityManual dexterityPatienceObservation 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 of the trade

≈ €1,267gross / month

Safety, tools, machines
Sketches and production drawings
Filing, drilling, bending, soldering

Year 2

Making techniques

≈ €1,338gross / month

Casting, forging and joining
Surface treatment
Intermediate exam

Year 3

Your specialisation

≈ €1,443gross / month

Gold: jewellery, chains, gem-setting
Silver: objects and functional pieces
Stone setting and repair

Year 4 (6 months)

Exam preparation

≈ €1,514gross / month

Exam piece made to order
Advice and quality
Final exam

Gross monthly pay during the training. Source: ausbildung.de, tarif des entreprises industrielles liées à une convention collective (bijouterie/orfèvrerie) ; en dehors de ce tarif, salaire minimum légal, nettement plus bas. These are averages: they vary by region, sector and collective agreement.

Exams and qualification

An intermediate exam (Zwischenprüfung) in the fourth half-year, with a 7-hour task, then the final exam (Gesellen- or Abschlussprüfung): a piece of goldsmithing made in 32 hours with a professional discussion, technology, design and planning, economics and social studies. Qualification: Gesellenbrief (crafts) or IHK certificate, depending on the competent Chamber.

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 is done at a well-lit bench, with fine dust and sometimes smells. Gloves, goggles, a work coat and sometimes a mask are worn, and shift work exists in industry.

Documents to prepare

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

Where it can lead

Straight awayQualified gold and silversmithWork in a goldsmith's workshop, a jeweller's, the jewellery industry or a design studio.

With experienceMaster goldsmithTake the Meister (master craftsman) exam to run a workshop and train apprentices.

Longer termStudies or own workshopWith the required entry level, study jewellery design or open your own workshop or jeweller's.

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 “Gold and silversmith (Gold- und Silberschmied/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.

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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?

42 months, i.e. 3.5 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 the difference between gold and silver smithing?

The gold specialisation (Goldschmieden) focuses on jewellery, chains and gem-setting. The silver specialisation (Silberschmieden) focuses on objects, vessels, cutlery and pieces with mechanisms.

Why does the training last 42 months?

Since 2025, the former goldsmith and silversmith trades have been merged into a single, longer training, with a common core followed by a specialisation.

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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