What comes after school?

Career and study choice orientation in NRW

Text last updated: 2024-05-13

Pupils in NRW receive targeted help with career guidance

Making a decision about a future career is not easy for young people. After all, there is a wide range of options and many questions: Which areas of work suit your strengths and interests? Which course of study opens up the best prospects for your own talents? Which paths lead to your dream job? In North Rhine-Westphalia, pupils are systematically guided on their path to choosing a career from year 8 onwards. Information and online sources relating to career and study choice guidance and what is behind the state-wide transition system "Kein Abschluss ohne Anschluss (KAoA)", for example, can be found here.

Education

There are many good reasons for training. There are currently 324 recognized training occupations in Germany in these areas: Industry, skilled trades, public service, home economics, agriculture, maritime shipping and in the liberal professions.

In addition to the school and digital offers for career guidance, it is advisable to talk to a careers advisor about personal options and ways to find your dream job. Young people can arrange a free consultation at their local employment agency.

The chambers of industry and commerce and the chambers of skilled trades also offer advice and provide detailed information.

A good way to actively find out about training opportunities is to visit a training or job fair. Companies and businesses in the region present themselves there and showcase what they have to offer. Pupils get a personal impression of potential employers and can make initial contacts. Free presentations and coaching for applications and job interviews round off the program.

Study

After graduating from high school, the question usually arises: What should I study? The choice is huge. In Germany alone, there are more than 17,500 different degree courses at around 400 universities and colleges, and the number is growing. There are also courses abroad.

Take your time to find out which degree course best suits your strengths and interests. Digital internet portals can be used for an initial overview.

University information days are a good way to get to know the courses on offer at universities. A taster and pupil study course also provides a trial insight.

Specially trained Abi advisors offer qualified study advice at the employment agencies. They also help you to find out which educational pathways suit your personal strengths and talents.

Once the field of study has been decided, the Central Student Advisory Service is an important point of contact for prospective students. In general, it is always advisable to form your own impression of the universities that make up your shortlist. The student advisors at the local universities are happy to help and provide tips on choosing subjects, allocating study places, course content and requirements.

KAoA - No graduation without a connection

The state-wide transition system supports young people from year 8 onwards in choosing a career

In North Rhine-Westphalia, young people from Year 8 onwards receive targeted help in choosing a career. The state-wide transition system KAoA - Kein Abschluss ohne Anschluss - supports all pupils in North Rhine-Westphalia with early career guidance.

The school-supported process ensures that everyone is given early prospects for subsequent vocational training or studies. All public secondary schools in NRW take part in the state initiative.

Training guarantee: New funding programs since 1 April 2024

From April 1, 2024, future trainees will benefit from new funding opportunities. The Continuing Education Act and the training guarantee are intended to get more young people into training. The offers include the subsidized vocational orientation internship, the mobility grant and facilitations for participation in entry-level qualifications. From August 1, 2024, extended extra-company vocational training will be possible.

The training guarantee includes the following innovations in detail:

  • Vocationally oriented short internships: Since April 1, 2024, young people have been able to get to know the typical activities and content of an apprenticeship in a vocational orientation internship. The Federal Employment Agency covers travel and accommodation costs for one to six-week internships. This funding must be applied for at the relevant employment agency or job center before the internship begins.
  • Mobility allowance: If trainees have to relocate because their training is taking place away from home, they can receive a mobility allowance. The Federal Employment Agency pays the costs of two trips home to the family per month in the first year of training. Applications can be submitted to the relevant employment agency or job center.
  • Easier participation in introductory training: Young people with limited placement prospects are given the opportunity to start their careers through introductory training. Since April 1, 2024, the minimum duration has been shortened from six to four months and part-time training is possible. Since then, entry-level training has also been open to people with a disability who are aiming for a specialist internship, as well as funding for people who have previously dropped out of training with the same employer.
  • External vocational training: From August 1, 2024, young people will have a legal entitlement to support in external vocational training if, despite extensive efforts and the use of other training support measures, no company-based training place could be found.

All information about the training guarantee as part of the Training and Further Education Act can be found on the portal of the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.

Further information Links to read more

There are numerous online platforms on the internet where parents and children can get an initial overview of career and study choices. Here on Familienportal.NRW, we have compiled an overview of recommended portals that can be used to develop career prospects.

www.familienportal.nrw

The local employment agencies offer expert careers advice. An appointment should be made in good time. A contact form is available on this website of the employment agency.

www.arbeitsagentur.de

The advice centers of the Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK) and the Chambers of Crafts in the region also provide expert advice and know exactly which training companies have vacancies. The chambers are partners of the companies and can answer all questions about training. Use the IHK finder to go directly to your local IHK. Use the Chamber of Crafts search engine to find the relevant Chamber of Crafts in your region.

www.ihk.de www.handwerkskammer.de

Training and careers fairs are held regularly in all regions. The fairs offer a good opportunity to get to know training companies up close. HR managers are often on the stand together with trainees, who provide authentic insights into the practical side of things and answer all questions in detail.

You can find comprehensive information on the objectives of the state initiative "Kein Abschluss ohne Anschluss (KAoA)" on the vocational orientation portal of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The explanatory films provide information about the KAoA modules in various languages. Click here to download the videos in German, Arabic, English, Farsi, Polish, Serbian and Turkish.

www.berufsorientierung-nrw.de www.berufsorientierung-nrw.de/erklaerfilme