Berufseinstiegsbegleiter/Berufseinstiegsbegleiterin

For more information on this profession, you can consult the information provided by the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency), legal reorientation and statistical reporting on Assistierte Ausbildung (Assisted Vocational Training), the concept of Berufseinstiegsbegleitung (Career Entry Support), funding for future skilled workers through Ausbildungsbegleitende Hilfen (ABH) (Apprenticeship-Accompanying Aids), information on the federal government's commissioner for people with disabilities, vocational education journals, career orientation materials, Bildungspraxis (Educational Practice) magazine, klischee-frei (stereotype-free) national cooperations for career and study choices, Open Educational Resources (OER) for vocational education, the SGB II service point, the talentplus portal, and the thematic pages of the IAB (Institute for Employment Research) on young people's transition into working life.

Career entry support workers typically work in meeting rooms and offices, as well as in training rooms. They may also work in classrooms when necessary.

Core competencies generally required for this profession include the Ausbildereignungsprüfung (Trainer Aptitude Test), apprenticeship placement, career counseling, applicant training, parent work, pedagogical psychology, school psychology, social work, and social pedagogy. Other competencies that may be significant for practicing this profession include vocational training promotion law, reporting, vocational training law, educational counseling, individual tutoring, developmental psychology, parental counseling, educational science, youth work, work with at-risk youth, networking (social work), socio-pedagogical family support, social law, supervision, and teaching/training (non-school setting).

Career entry support workers usually work independently but exchange information with cooperation partners in schools, vocational training companies, the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency), and other institutions. To build a trusting and constructive relationship with young people, they need pedagogical and psychological expertise, as well as motivation and communication skills. Dealing with young people facing problems also requires a high degree of responsibility, empathy, and professional distance. As career entry support workers supervise up to 20 young people simultaneously, they need organizational skills for coordinating appointments. Furthermore, they must observe and apply a multitude of legal provisions and regulations appropriately in their work. Career entry support workers primarily work in offices and counseling rooms in schools or other pedagogical institutions.

The amount of remuneration depends on the education, the function performed, and the company where one is employed.

This profession is typically found in adult education and other teaching services, such as private educational providers, economic and professional associations, trade unions, social services, and youth work (including youth social work), for example, pedagogical or socio-pedagogical support institutions. It is also conceivable in general education schools, especially general education schools of Sekundarbereich I (lower secondary level) that lead to a Hauptschulabschluss (secondary school leaving certificate) or an equivalent qualification.

Employers often expect a Studium (university degree), for example in Social Work. Access to this profession is also possible with an Ausbildereignungsprüfung (instructor aptitude test) and professional experience working with young people.

Vocational Pedagogy (undergraduate), Vocational Pedagogy (postgraduate), Educational Science (undergraduate), Educational Science (postgraduate), Pedagogical Psychology (undergraduate), Pedagogical Psychology (postgraduate), Social Work (undergraduate), Social Work (postgraduate).

Career Entry Coaches are mostly employed by private educational institutions, business and employer associations, and (socio-)pedagogical support facilities. They can also find employment in general education schools.

An extended police clearance certificate (Führungszeugnis) may be required for working with minors.

Career Entry Coaches support students in need of assistance during their transition from school to Berufsausbildung (vocational training).

INFO SOZIAL Job Market, sozialeberufe.de, Stellenblatt.de.

Federal Employment Agency - Central Office, German Professional Association for Social Work e.V. - DBSH, German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) e.V., dvb German Association for Educational and Vocational Guidance e.V. - Office, Education and Science Union (GEW), ver.di - United Services Union, Education and Training Association e.V. (VBE).

Working conditions in this profession include screen work (e.g., recording and documenting individual competencies, potentials, and inclinations), working in office spaces, adhering to various regulations and legal requirements (in the vocational training sector), dealing with children and young people, interacting with people facing problems (young people who are likely to have difficulties transitioning into vocational training), and taking responsibility for individuals (considering the consequences of one's own actions for the affected young people).

Work items and tools used in this profession include documents such as support plans, measures and results documentation, and information materials, as well as office equipment like PCs, internet access, and telephones.

Berufseinstiegsbegleiter (Career Entry Mentors) help young people achieve a school leaving certificate. They also support young people in career choice and in finding an Ausbildung (vocational training) position. They develop individual support plans to specifically guide and advise students. This involves topics such as key qualifications, career orientation, or application/behavioral training. If necessary, they also provide support to young people with personal problems. Working with parents is also part of the duties of Berufseinstiegsbegleiter. Furthermore, they coordinate cooperation with institutions such as schools, Ausbildung (vocational training) companies, or the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency).

Access professions/activities for this role include being an Ausbilder (trainer) for recognized vocational training professions or a Geprüfter Berufspädagoge (Certified Vocational Educator) (further training).

Continuing education for adaptation helps to keep professional knowledge current and adapt it to new developments (e.g., in the areas of social counseling, youth work, conflict management, or pedagogy).

Depending on professional background, further professional and career opportunities arise through undergraduate or postgraduate studies (e.g., in Social Work or Educational Psychology). Under certain conditions, it is also possible to study without a general higher education entrance qualification. For more information: Access to higher education in the individual Bundesländer (federal states).

Supporting young people in achieving a school leaving certificate, making a career choice, finding an Ausbildung (vocational training) position, and stabilizing the Ausbildung relationship. Assessing and documenting students' competencies, potentials, inclinations, as well as their academic and social situation. Developing support plans (e.g., for the development of key qualifications). Designing and implementing measures for career orientation, as well as application and behavior training, or commissioning third parties to do so. Supporting students with personal problems. Advising parents and teachers and mediating in conflicts. Coordinating cooperation with institutions such as schools, Ausbildung companies, or the Agentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency).

Social Code (SGB) Third Book (III) - Employment Promotion - (Article 1 of the Act of 24.03.1997, BGBl. I S. 594, 595), last amended by Article 2 of the Act of 16.04.2026 (BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 107). Act on the Central Register and the Education Register (Bundeszentralregistergesetz - BZRG) in the version promulgated on 21.09.1984 (BGBl. I S. 1229), last amended by Article 5 of the Act of 19.07.2024 (BGBl. 2024 I Nr. 245).

The following lists professions or activities that show similarities to the original profession. These professions represent a possible alternative for applicants. Furthermore, employers can consider individuals from these professions as alternatives for filling a position in the original profession. Some alternative professions only encompass partial activities of the original profession, while others require an induction period, which can vary in length depending on the individual case. The following immediate employment and staffing alternatives are available for the profession of Berufseinstiegsbegleiter/in: Job and staffing alternatives for the overall activity (usually short induction): Trainer for recognized Ausbildung professions, Vocational pedagogue, Social worker/social pedagogue. For professional specializations (usually short induction): Education and further education pedagogue, Ausbildung consultant, Career counselor.