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Vocational training in Germany (Ausbildung)

Home economics assistant (Hauswirtschafter/in)

Hauswirtschafter / Hauswirtschafterin

You organise meals, cleaning and laundry and support people in daily life: a 36-month training, paid from the first year, with 3 specialisms to choose from.

Check my eligibility →I already have B2
LevelBaccalaureaterequired
Duration3 years36 months
GermanB2required level
Pay during training€1,225 to €1,377gross / month, during the training
The occupation in 30 seconds

What a Hauswirtschafter does

The Hauswirtschafter plans meals, buys food, prepares dishes, cleans and maintains rooms and textiles and keeps things hygienic. With people who need support, they identify their needs and help in daily life.

Prepare meals

Plan menus to suit people, buy food, cook and preserve produce.

Maintain

Clean kitchens, living and utility rooms, look after textiles and observe hygiene rules.

Support

Identify the needs of people who need help, offer suitable services and support them day to day.

This occupation is for you if…

  • you like cooking, tidying and making a place pleasant to live in
  • you feel empathy for people who need help
  • you are organised and good with your hands
  • you accept early starts, evenings and weekends

Less suitable if…

  • you do not want to work weekends or public holidays
  • you struggle with cleaning and batch cooking
  • you prefer an office job

Advantages

  • Paid from the first year
  • A useful job, close to people
  • Work in care homes, hotels, hospitals
  • Further training towards Meister is possible

Difficulties

  • Irregular hours, weekends and holidays
  • Physical work on your feet
  • Strict hygiene rules to follow
  • Can be tiring with vulnerable people
Day to day

A typical day and the key skills

Start of shiftRead the day's instructions and check the staff and meal schedule.
Preparing mealsPrepare the food and cook the dishes on the menu, respecting special diets.
Serving mealsServe meals to the residents and help those who need it.
Cleaning the roomsClean the dining rooms and living areas according to hygiene rules.
Laundry careSort, wash and iron textiles and mend small defects.
Records and orderingNote the day's work and prepare the food order.

Technical skills

Cooking and dietsMenu planningRoom cleaningTextile careHygiene and safetySupporting peoplePurchasing and cost control

Personal qualities

EmpathyOrganisationDexterityHygiene awarenessTeamwork
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 job

≈ €1,225gross / month
  • Needs and support
  • Meals, cooking and hygiene
  • Room cleaning
Year 2

Organisation

≈ €1,285gross / month
  • Textiles and sustainable buying
  • Work organisation
  • Intermediate exam
Year 3

Specialism and exam

≈ €1,377gross / month
  • 3 specialisms to choose from
  • Products, services, marketing
  • 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
An intermediate exam (Zwischenprüfung) in the fourth half-year: two practical tasks totalling 120 minutes and a written paper of 90 minutes. The final exam has five parts, including a practical task (planning 120 minutes, carrying out 180 minutes), a workplace assignment of 24 hours, two written papers of 120 minutes and an economics and social studies paper of 60 minutes. Certificate from 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 means standing, carrying and handling loads, cleaning and cooking. Hours are irregular: early mornings, evenings, weekends and public holidays.
Documents to prepare
  • CV and cover letter in German
  • Translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts
  • German B2 level certificate

Where it can lead

Straight awayQualified HauswirtschafterJobs in care homes, youth homes, nurseries, hospitals, hotels or catering.
With experienceHousekeeping leadCoordinate a team, a kitchen service or the upkeep of an establishment.
Longer termMeister or degreeTake the Meister in home economics or study dietetics or household science.
Already B2? Take action

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

Employers in the “Humanities, education and social work” sector are currently looking for candidates in Africa on AZUFA.

Create your candidate profile, state your German level and the “Home economics assistant (Hauswirtschafter/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.

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

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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.
What are the 3 specialisms?
Care-oriented services, customer-oriented services and rural and farm services. You choose one in the training contract.
Where can I work afterwards?
In homes for older people, children and young people, hospitals and clinics, hotels, private households and farms.
In the same category

Other trainings: Humanities, education and social work

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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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