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Vocational training in Germany (Ausbildung)

E-commerce clerk (Kaufmann/-frau im E-Commerce)

Kaufmann im E-Commerce / Kauffrau im E-Commerce

You keep an online shop running: range, orders, payment, marketing and customer service. A 36-month training, paid from the first year.

Check my eligibility →I already have B2
LevelBaccalaureaterequired
Duration3 years36 months
GermanB2required level
Pay during training€1,146 to €1,334gross / month, during the training
The occupation in 30 seconds

What an e-commerce clerk does

They work where purchasing, advertising, logistics, accounting and IT meet, on online shops, marketplaces and social media.

Present

Put products online, categorise them and present them so that people want to buy.

Process

Handle enquiries and complaints, set up payment methods and monitor payments.

Promote

Plan online marketing activities and measure how well they perform.

This occupation is for you if…

  • you are comfortable with digital tools and data
  • you like understanding what makes a customer buy
  • you can write clearly and for the right audience
  • you accept shift hours, sometimes at weekends

Less suitable if…

  • you do not want to work at a screen all day
  • you dislike analysing figures and statistics
  • you want tasks that never change

Advantages

  • Paid from the first year
  • A recent, digitally focused occupation
  • Varied tasks: sales, marketing, data
  • Route to the Handelsfachwirt or to university

Difficulties

  • A lot of time at the screen
  • Tasks and tools change often
  • Analysing figures and data is demanding
  • Shift and weekend work is possible
Day to day

A typical day and the key skills

Sales monitoringLook at yesterday's figures and spot the products that are selling better.
Listing a productCreate an item page, choose its category and write a clear description.
Replying to a customerHandle a delivery request or a complaint received through the online service.
Checking paymentsCheck the payments received and flag orders that need chasing.
Marketing activityPrepare an online advert for a targeted group of customers.
Analysing resultsCompare visits, sales and the cost of the activity to draw conclusions.

Technical skills

Running an online shopProduct presentationPayment methodsOnline marketingSales data analysisCustomer service and messagingData protection rules

Personal qualities

Customer focusAnalytical mindFlexibilityAccuracyCommunication
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

Channels and range

≈ €1,146gross / month
  • Choosing the sales channel
  • Managing the range
  • Supporting purchasing
Year 2

Contracts and customers

≈ €1,233gross / month
  • Contracts and fulfilment
  • Communicating with customers
  • Part 1 of the final exam
Year 3

Marketing and control

≈ €1,334gross / month
  • Online marketing
  • Monitoring key figures
  • 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 is in two parts. Part 1, a written paper of 90 minutes, takes place in the middle of the second year. Part 2, at the end of training, has two written papers (120 and 60 minutes), a discussion of up to 20 minutes on a project, based on a report, and a 60-minute economics and social studies paper. Qualification: IHK certificate (Chamber of Commerce and 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 work is mostly office-based at a screen, in offices or meeting rooms, possibly from home. Shift work or weekend work is possible.
Documents to prepare
  • CV and cover letter in German
  • Translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts
  • German B2 level certificate

Where it can lead

Straight awayOnline commerce clerkJobs in online retail, with manufacturers or in service firms that sell online.
With experienceOnline marketing specialistRun campaigns, marketplaces and sales analysis.
Longer termHandelsfachwirt or degreeTake the Handelsfachwirt (retail business specialist) or study marketing and sales.
Already B2? Take action

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

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

Create your candidate profile, state your German level and the “E-commerce clerk (Kaufmann/-frau im E-Commerce)” occupation: companies recruiting apprentices can find you, and we follow your application step by step.

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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

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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.
Where do you work after this training?
In retail, wholesale or foreign trade firms with an online shop, or at manufacturers, tourism and logistics firms that sell online.
Can I set up my own online shop?
It is one of the options mentioned for this occupation, for example as an online trader, after gaining experience.
In the same category

Other trainings: Trade and sales

All trainings →
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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 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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