Lexicon A - C

As described under the entry for termination (Kündigung), anyone who is a constant source of annoyance and mischief can expect to receive a warning note. Once the trainer has warned a trainee about bad behaviour, the trainee may be terminated. The warning is given not only orally, but is also noted in the personnel file. Any trainer could otherwise claim to have already given the trainee three warnings. Or a trainee who is constantly absent from work might claim to have received no warnings for this behaviour at all. If it is found that a trainee was improperly given a warning, he or she can request that the note be removed from the personnel file. But it is logically best to avoid warnings altogether.

REWE's offer of vocational training enjoys a lot of popularity. It is thus no wonder that we cannot take on everyone who applies. In other words, rejections are unavoidable. But this is no reason to fret. After all, a rejection is not meant to be taken personally. And even if you do not succeed in landing your dream job even at other employers, there is no reason to give up. There are over 380 training and apprenticeship vocations available, and there is sure to be one that is suited to you.

By the way, not only employers write rejection letters. As a potential employee, you should also write rejection letters - for instance if you are offered a slot at our company. You should be sure to write rejection letters to the other companies you applied to. It is best to be fair!

This is the name of the examination you write at the end of your training. You sit for the test at your local branch of the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). The examination determines whether or not you have mastered the necessary qualifications in theory and practice for your vocation. Should you fail the test the first time round, it is not the end of the world. The final examination can be retaken twice, after all. But no need to worry: Thanks to the quality of our training, only very few of our trainees have to retake the exam.

The training employment contract sets out the number of hours you will work per week. The breaks are not included. Of course, the contractual hours also include the time you spend at vocational school.

If you are under 18, you may not work more than eight hours per day – sometimes eight-and-a-half – or 40 hours per week. Night shift is also discouraged for the hours from 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. – unless the nature of the job requires this, for instance for working in a bakery.

You have probably already encountered the abbreviation “IHK” somewhere by now. It stands for Industrie- und Handelskammer. The IHK has the legal mandate to provide for order in vocational education and training. It checks to see if a given firm is suited for offering vocational training, for example, and whether the firm has enough trainers with the right qualifications. In addition, IHK checks vocational training contracts. If these are written correctly, IHK keeps a record of it. IHK also mediates between the parties if there are any difficulties. And finally, the chambers not only give certification examinations, they also offer several legally acknowledged programmes themselves. From computer courses to business training courses and entrepreneurial seminars for those wanting to start their own businesses – you can find just about anything here that provides career assistance. In short, IHK is the contact and advisor number one after your own trainers and teachers.

The trainer in the company corresponds to the teacher at the vocational school. The trainer is the one who explains everything and who can help you with other matters as well. He or she takes care of you. The trainer is responsible for your training success as well as to a certain extent for your personal development. Trainers have to be well qualified in their fields and on a personal level for their jobs. As the German law on vocational training and apprenticeship requires, trainers not only have to complete an examination in their own training vocations, but must also show knowledge of vocational and labour pedagogy.

How long does it take to complete a given training course? Are you thinking three years? That’s true, but then not really. The duration of training varies from vocation to vocation and is set out in the respective regulations for each. IHK can even shorten your training. For example, if the staff feel that a particular trainee has already completed a similar course in part or entirely, already has higher education or holds corresponding certifications. Yet IHK only takes action when requested to do so. You, but also the company can put in such a request. If you think you may be eligible for a shorter training period, be sure to ask your trainer.

The opposite may also occur in theory – the duration of training is extended. This may occur, for instance, if you happen to break a leg playing football and thus have to miss work and/or vocational school for a long time. This situation also requires a formal request to be put in at the IHK.

There are regulations specific to each of the 350 training vocations in Germany that establish the framework conditions for training in each field. The regulations contain exact descriptions of the trained vocation, the duration of training, the framework plan for training and the examination requirements. Vocational training regulations can be obtained from the Labour Office or at an office of the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK).

The vocational training contract contains the name and address of the trainee / apprentice as well of the trainer and, of course, the name of the vocation. This contract also covers all the framework conditions of your training. That is, the beginning date and duration of the programme, the length of the probationary period, the training objectives, working hours, number of days given for holidays, the so-called conditions for termination, the training measures to occur away from work and – finally – how much you will be paid during your vocational training years.

One requirement for admission to the final examinations is the so-called report booklet (also known as the Ausbildungsnachweis – proof of training). You use this booklet to keep notes on what you have learned at the company and at the vocational school. Your trainer signs your booklet at regular intervals – provided you have kept it up in an orderly fashion. Your teacher at the vocational school also signs the booklet. The report booklet is not used to keep track of you at all, instead it serves you as an essential reference that can provide you a lot of help when you begin studying for your examinations.

A component part of each trained vocation is study at a vocational school. Aside from the general and specific vocational information, around one third of these courses are in general subjects, such as social sciences, German and sports. By the way, this link of work and schooling is called the “dual system” of education in Germany. The vocational schools have different organisational structures. Instruction takes place once or twice per week, or as block courses for two months at a time. The instruction is to be at least twelve hours per week, as required by law.

You use your application to try to attract the interest of a potential employer. Your application – above all the covering letter – makes the first impression you leave on another person at the company. As this first "calling card" is of such central importance, we have provided a particular section with Tips for applicants.