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Vocational training in Germany (Ausbildung)

Glass apparatus maker (Glasapparatebauer/in)

Glasapparatebauer / Glasapparatebauerin

You make, repair and modify glass apparatus for laboratories and research. A paid 3-year training, in a company and at vocational school.

Check my eligibility →I already have B2

LevelBaccalaureaterequired

Duration3 years36 months

GermanB2required level

Pay during training€1,150 to €1,380gross / month, during the training

The occupation in 30 seconds

What a glass apparatus maker does

A glass apparatus maker builds special apparatus from technical drawings: they heat glass tubes and rods, shape them, then fuse them together and check manufacturing tolerances.

Hot working

Heat glass tubes and rods, then bend, draw, cut or blow them into shape.

Cold working

Cut, grind, drill and mill semi-finished glass and blanks, then fuse the parts together.

Check and repair

Check tolerances and glass stress, repair and modify existing apparatus.

Is this occupation for you?Advantages and difficulties

This occupation is for you if…

you work with great care on fragile pieces
you have the skill to cut, grind or drill workpieces
you have good spatial awareness for reading drawings
you have a feel for technology to maintain tools and machines

Less suitable if…

you do not want to work in a workshop with flames and hot pieces
you dislike mathematics, physics and chemistry
you are impatient and dislike meticulous work

Advantages

Paid training in a company
A highly technical trade serving science
Three types of glass to work with
Progression to Meister possible

Difficulties

Meticulous work on fragile pieces
Hot work that requires great care
Specialised employers: workshops, universities, research
The first months in German take effort

Day to day

A typical day and the key skills

A typical daySkills and qualities

07:30

Reading drawingsStudy the drawing of an apparatus and choose the glass and tools to use for the day's order.

08:30

Setting up the stationSet up the workstation, adjust the burner and prepare the glass tubes needed.

09:30

Hot glass workingHeat and bend glass tubes, then fuse them to form one part of the apparatus.

11:30

Cold workingCut, grind or drill semi-finished glass pieces with suitable tools.

13:30

Checking the apparatusMeasure the dimensions, check the tolerances and inspect the glass stress.

15:30

Repair and notesRepair an existing piece, then note the steps carried out and tidy the station.

Technical skills

Hot glass workingCold glass workingReading technical drawingsFusing glass partsMeasuring and checkingTool maintenance

Personal qualities

CareManual skillSpatial awarenessTechnical sensePatience

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

Glass basics

≈ €1,150gross / month

Sketches and production drawings
Planning and preparing work
Cutting glass, first hot work

Year 2

Glass techniques

≈ €1,265gross / month

Hot working by hand and machine
Cold working of glass parts
Intermediate exam (Zwischenprüfung)

Year 3

Complete apparatus

≈ €1,380gross / month

Making glass apparatus
Measuring, checking, repairing
Final exam (Gesellenprüfung)

Gross monthly pay during the training. Source: ausbildung.de, fourchette 1ere-derniere annee communiquee par le client ; annee intermediaire estimee par interpolation lineaire, non verifiee independamment sur la page. These are averages: they vary by region, sector and collective agreement.

Exams and qualification

An intermediate exam (Zwischenprüfung) takes place in the fourth half-year: two practical tasks with a technical discussion, and a written part on glass properties. The final exam has five areas, including making a test piece (a glass apparatus). You obtain the Gesellenbrief (HWK) or the final certificate (IHK), depending on 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 takes place in workshops or production halls, on fragile pieces: it demands skill, precise work and care when heating and cutting glass.

Documents to prepare

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

Where it can lead

Straight awaySkilled apparatus makerWork in a scientific glassware company, at a university or a research centre with a glass workshop.

With experienceMore demanding workDeepen a field: borosilicate glass, quartz glass or soft glass, depending on the company.

Longer termMeister or managerWork towards the Meister (master craftsman) or a crafts business management course.

Already B2? Take action

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

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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.

Talk to an advisor

Talk to our team

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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.

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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
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.

Which types of glass do you work with?

Depending on the company, training covers at least one field: borosilicate glass, quartz glass or soft glass.

Who awards the qualification?

The trade belongs to both crafts and industry: depending on the company, the competent chamber is the Chamber of Crafts (HWK) or the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK).

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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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