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Vocational training in Germany (Ausbildung)

Carpenter (Zimmerer/in)

Zimmerer / Zimmerin

You build roof frames, timber houses and staircases: a 3-year training, paid from the first year, for working with wood on building sites.

Check my eligibility →I already have B2

LevelBaccalaureaterequired

Duration3 years36 months

GermanB2required level

Pay during training€1,070 to €1,527gross / month, during the training

The occupation in 30 seconds

What a carpenter does

They build and erect roof trusses, timber houses and timber halls, make staircases, windows and partitions, protect the wood and renovate old structures.

Roof framing

Make and erect roof frames, dormers and timber frames from the plans.

Timber building

Make and assemble frame walls, solid timber elements and façade cladding.

Renovation

Replace damaged timbers, protect the wood and restore historic structures.

Is this occupation for you?Advantages and difficulties

This occupation is for you if…

you like working with wood and assembling large structures
you have an eye for detail and manual precision
you are not afraid of heights on a roof or a frame
you like putting up structures as a team with colleagues

Less suitable if…

you are afraid of heights or avoid them
you find it hard to lift heavy beams
you are looking for an office job

Advantages

Paid from the first year
Qualification recognised throughout Germany
Hands-on work with a natural material, wood
Route to master craftsman or further study

Difficulties

Physical work with heavy parts
Work at height: you must be comfortable with it
Changing sites, noise and dust
Very strict precision and safety rules

Day to day

A typical day and the key skills

A typical daySkills and qualities

07:00

Departure and safety briefingThe team loads the materials, safety rules are recalled and everyone puts on a helmet and gloves.

08:00

Reading the roof framing planIdentify the parts to cut and assemble, then take measurements on the timber.

09:30

Cutting and machining timberSaw, plane and prepare beams in the workshop or on site with the right machines.

11:00

Assembling a frameJoin timber parts and erect a frame wall or a section of roof structure.

13:30

Fitting insulation and claddingInstall the insulation, ventilate the façade and fix the cladding following the instructions.

15:30

Checking and tidying upCheck the joints, clean the tools and store the offcuts of timber.

Technical skills

Roof framing and timber framesReading plansTimber machiningFitting stairs and windowsInsulation and claddingWood protection

Personal qualities

PrecisionSense of balanceTeamworkSafety awarenessManual skill

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

≈ €1,070gross / month

Site, tools and safety
Reading plans and measuring
Basic woodworking

Year 2

Practice

≈ €1,281gross / month

Frames and roof elements
Insulation and cladding
Part 1 of the final exam

Year 3

The trade

≈ €1,527gross / month

Roof frames and timber structures
Renovation and wood protection
Part 2 of the 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

The final exam (Gesellenprüfung) has two parts: part 1 takes place in the fourth half-year of training, so in the second year, and counts for 40 per cent of the result; part 2 closes the training. You obtain the journeyman's certificate (Gesellenbrief), issued by the competent chamber: HWK for crafts, IHK for industry.

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 calls for good physical fitness to lift beams and heavy elements, and a head for heights to work at height.

Documents to prepare

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

Where it can lead

Straight awaySkilled carpenterJobs in carpentry firms, timber construction companies or façade companies.

With experienceFurther trainingDeepen your skills in roof framing or building repair through short training courses.

Longer termMaster or degreeTake the Zimmerermeister (master carpenter), take over a firm or study timber technology.

Already B2? Take action

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

Employers in the “Building and construction” sector are currently looking for candidates in Africa on AZUFA.

Create your candidate profile, state your German level and the “Carpenter (Zimmerer/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.

How do company and school alternate?

The training is dual: you work in a company and attend the Berufsschule (vocational school) one or two days a week, or in blocks. Periods in an inter-company training centre complete the practice.

Does the new training regulation change the exam?

A new regulation for building trades has been in force since 1 August 2026. It introduces a final exam in two parts, the first of which counts towards the final mark.

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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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