This is virtually the only way to obtain employment in Germany. Employers do not generally hire teenagers who are in school. They also do not generally hire young people unless they have completed an apprenticeship. There are apprenticeships in 380 occupations, including retail clerk, receptionist and other jobs for which little formal training would be required in the United States. Once accepted, the apprentice usually spends four days a week working for the employer and one day a week in school.
Most apprenticeships lasts two to three years.
The employer pays the apprentice about 25 percent of what a beginning worker would receive. Each occupation has its own set of standards which defines what apprentices will be required to learn. A learning center is available to help meet the standards. This is particularly helpful for very small employers who may not be able to met all standards at the worksite. Cottage Grove High School has three alternative learning sites.