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Vocational training in Germany (Ausbildung)

Sales assistant (Verkäufer/in)

Verkäufer / Verkäuferin

You advise customers, take payments and stock the shelves: a 24-month training, paid from the first year, in shops of every kind.

Check my eligibility →I already have B2

LevelBaccalaureaterequired

Duration2 years24 months

GermanB2required level

Pay during training€1,084 to €1,195gross / month, during the training

The occupation in 30 seconds

What a sales assistant does

The Verkäufer sells clothing, food, electronics or furniture, holds sales conversations, takes payments and looks after stock and the presentation of items.

Advise

Hold sales conversations and advise customers on the shop's range.

Take payments

Run the till, check banknotes, give change or process cashless payments.

Supply

Receive deliveries, put away and label items, check stock and reorder.

Is this occupation for you?Advantages and difficulties

This occupation is for you if…

you enjoy dealing with customers
you are careful with figures and the till
you like tidying and displaying a department
you accept shift work and Saturdays

Less suitable if…

you dislike standing for long periods
you cannot cope with constant contact with the public
you want the same hours every day

Advantages

Short training of 24 months
Paid from the first year
Option to continue towards retail clerk
Qualification recognised across Germany

Difficulties

Saturday and shift work
Long hours on your feet and handling goods
Customers can sometimes be difficult
Sales vocabulary is demanding in German

Day to day

A typical day and the key skills

A typical daySkills and qualities

08:30

Opening the departmentTidy the items, check the price labels and get the department ready before opening.

10:00

Advising a customerTell a customer about choosing and using items and answer their questions.

12:00

Receiving a deliveryCheck the quantities and quality of the goods received, then put them away.

13:30

Running the tillTake payments, check banknotes and give the exact change.

15:00

Restocking the shelvesSpot items that are missing and fill the gaps, with price labels.

16:30

Cleaning the departmentPut the shelves and counters back in order before closing.

Technical skills

Advice and sellingTill and cash handlingGoods receiptStock checksPrice labellingDisplaying items

Personal qualities

People skillsAccuracyPatiencePunctualityTeamwork

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

Learning the shop

≈ €1,084gross / month

Range and presentation
Prices, receiving, storage
Intermediate exam

Year 2

Selling and tills

≈ €1,195gross / month

Selling and the till
Stock control
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

A written intermediate exam (Zwischenprüfung) of 90 minutes takes place at the start of the second year. The final exam has three written papers (selling and advertising, 90 minutes; goods management and calculation, 60 minutes; economics and social studies, 60 minutes) and a discussion of up to 20 minutes on the chosen option. Qualification: IHK certificate (chamber of commerce).

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 means standing for long periods, handling goods and coping with constant artificial lighting. Work is in shifts, including Saturdays, sometimes outdoors.

Documents to prepare

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

Where it can lead

Straight awayQualified sales assistantJobs in fashion stores, department stores, supermarkets, DIY chains or mail order.

With experienceRetail clerkContinue for 1 year under conditions and sit the retail clerk exam.

Longer termHandelsfachwirt or retailTake the Handelsfachwirt (retail business specialist), study business administration or open a shop.

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 “Sales assistant (Verkäufer/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

Stay informed

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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?

24 months, i.e. 2 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 can I do after this 24-month training?

You can work as a sales assistant or, under certain conditions, continue for 1 year to sit the retail clerk exam.

Can I sell over-the-counter medicines?

There is an additional qualification for that: the competence exam for over-the-counter medicines can be taken during the training.

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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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