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Vocational training in Germany (Ausbildung)

Vehicle painter (Fahrzeuglackierer/in)

Fahrzeuglackierer / Fahrzeuglackiererin

You prepare, paint and customise vehicle bodywork. A 3-year training, paid from the first year, split between the workshop and vocational school.

Check my eligibility →I already have B2
LevelBaccalaureaterequired
Duration3 years36 months
GermanB2required level
Pay during training€1,028 to €1,191gross / month, during the training
The occupation in 30 seconds

What a vehicle painter does

A vehicle painter assesses body and paint damage, prepares the surfaces, then applies the coats of paint with spray guns and creates lettering or decorative designs.

Assess and prepare

Spot body and paint damage, then prepare the surface: cleaning, filler and sanding.

Paint and protect

Apply the coats of paint with a spray gun, then preserve the surface with care products such as high-gloss polishes.

Decorate and fit

Create lettering and designs with stencils or films, remove and refit parts, install vehicle glazing.

This occupation is for you if…

  • you are careful and precise, even with repeated tasks
  • you have manual dexterity and good hand-eye coordination
  • you easily notice small irregularities in a surface
  • you handle spray guns and products with care

Less suitable if…

  • you do not want to work in a workshop or a paint booth
  • you are looking for a job that is purely office-based
  • you dislike meticulous work that takes patience

Advantages

  • Paid from the first year
  • Training in a company and at vocational school
  • Concrete work with visible results
  • Progression to Meister or technician possible

Difficulties

  • Work in a workshop and paint booth
  • Precision required at every step
  • Protection needed against the products used
  • The first months in German take effort
Day to day

A typical day and the key skills

Instructions and job allocationThe trainer presents the day's vehicles and reminds everyone of the safety instructions.
Assessing the damageExamine a vehicle's bodywork and paint to spot the damage that needs repairing.
Preparing the surfaceClean, fill and sand the surface until it is clean and even.
Applying the paintApply the coats of paint with a spray gun in the booth, following the protective rules.
Removing and refittingRemove and refit vehicle parts, for example to paint neighbouring areas cleanly.
Finishing and checkingProtect the surface with a care product, check the result and tidy the workstation.

Technical skills

Surface preparationSpray gun applicationFilling and sandingDesigns and letteringRemoving and fitting partsQuality control

Personal qualities

MeticulousnessManual dexterityObservationCare and cautionAesthetic sense
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 trade

≈ €1,028gross / month
  • Tools, materials and safety
  • Checking and preparing surfaces
  • First painted surfaces
Year 2

Painting surfaces

≈ €1,095gross / month
  • Advanced preparation and painting
  • Intermediate exam (Zwischenprüfung)
  • Work on vehicle parts
Year 3

Specialisation

≈ €1,191gross / month
  • Removing and fitting parts
  • Lettering and paint effects
  • Final exam (Gesellenprüfung)

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) takes place before the end of the second year: a practical task on a vehicle part, plus written questions. The final exam (Gesellenprüfung) has a practical part based on a customer order and a written part. You obtain the Gesellenbrief (journeyman's certificate), issued by the Chamber of Crafts (HWK) or the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK).
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 takes place in workshops and in paint and drying booths, with spray guns and products: it calls for dexterity, hand-eye coordination and great care.
Documents to prepare
  • CV and cover letter in German
  • Translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts
  • German B2 level certificate

Where it can lead

Straight awaySkilled workerWork in a vehicle paint shop, in vehicle manufacturing or in an in-house factory paint shop.
With experienceSpecialist trainingTake courses to deepen your skills in painting, design and finishing techniques.
Longer termMeister or technicianWork towards the Meister (master craftsman) or a technician qualification, start a business or study.
Already B2? Take action

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

Employers in the “Industry, metalworking and mechanics” sector are currently looking for candidates in Africa on AZUFA.

Create your candidate profile, state your German level and the “Vehicle painter (Fahrzeuglackierer/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.

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Talk to an advisor

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Prepare your German

DZK, our language centre

Our own language centre, in Douala. Elsewhere: partner centres, call us.

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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 is a “Gesellenbrief”?
It is the journeyman's certificate awarded after the Gesellenprüfung. It shows that you have qualified as a skilled craft professional.
What does a vehicle painter apprentice earn?
In 2025 the national collective-agreement average recorded by BIBB is €1,028 per month in the first year, €1,095 in the second and €1,191 in the third (gross).
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.

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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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