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Vocational training in Germany (Ausbildung)

Tiler (Fliesen-, Platten- und Mosaikleger/in)

Fliesen-, Platten- und Mosaikleger / Fliesen-, Platten- und Mosaiklegerin

You cover floors, walls and façades with tiles, slabs and mosaic: a 3-year training, paid from the first year, for a trade that rewards precision.

Check my eligibility →I already have B2
LevelBaccalaureaterequired
Duration3 years36 months
GermanB2required level
Pay during training€1,075 to €1,526gross / month, during the training
The occupation in 30 seconds

What a tiler does

They cover floors, walls, stairs, pools and façades with tiles, slabs or mosaic: they measure, prepare the base, lay, grout and repair.

Prepare

Measure surfaces, draw up a laying plan, calculate materials and prepare the base.

Lay

Apply adhesive or mortar, lay tiles, slabs or mosaic and fill the joints.

Renovate

Waterproof, repair or replace damaged coverings and treat natural stone.

This occupation is for you if…

  • you like clean finishes and perfectly aligned surfaces
  • you have a sense of space and can read a laying plan
  • you are handy at cutting and fitting small pieces
  • you accept working on your knees and carrying packs of tiles

Less suitable if…

  • you cope badly with working on your knees for long periods
  • you find it hard to carry heavy loads
  • you are looking for an office job

Advantages

  • Paid from the first year
  • Qualification recognised throughout Germany
  • Attractive results that the client can see
  • Route to master craftsman or further study

Difficulties

  • Often on your knees and physically demanding
  • Heavy loads to handle, cutting dust
  • Workplaces that change from site to site
  • Precision required: little room for error
Day to day

A typical day and the key skills

Arrival at the client's homeThe team unloads the tiles, protects the premises and checks the day's laying plan.
Preparing the baseCheck and level the floor or wall, applying a levelling compound if necessary.
Marking out and cuttingTransfer the axes to the surface and cut the tiles to the right dimensions.
Laying the tilesSpread the adhesive and lay the tiles row by row, checking levels and joints.
Waterproofing and mosaicWaterproof a wet area, then lay sheets of mosaic.
Grouting and cleaningFill the joints with grout, clean the surface and put the tools away.

Technical skills

Tile layingCutting and fittingWaterproofingReading laying plansPreparing basesGrouting

Personal qualities

PrecisionCareSpatial sensePatienceStamina
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

The basics

≈ €1,075gross / month
  • Site, tools and safety
  • Plans, measuring and bases
  • First tile laying
Year 2

Practice

≈ €1,279gross / month
  • Floors, walls and waterproofing
  • Heating beneath tiles
  • Part 1 of the final exam
Year 3

The trade

≈ €1,526gross / month
  • Stairs, pools and façades
  • Mosaic and natural stone
  • Part 2 of the final exam

Gross monthly pay during the training. Source: BIBB 2025, moyenne nationale. These are averages: they vary by region, sector and collective agreement.

Exams and qualification
The final exam (Gesellenprüfung) has two parts: part 1 takes place in the fourth half-year of training, so in the second year, and counts for 40 per cent of the result; part 2 closes the training. You obtain the journeyman's certificate (Gesellenbrief), issued by the competent chamber: HWK for crafts, IHK for industry.
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 job calls for good physical fitness: often working on your knees and lifting and carrying packs of tiles, with knee pads and protective gloves.
Documents to prepare
  • CV and cover letter in German
  • Translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts
  • German B2 level certificate

Where it can lead

Straight awaySkilled tilerJobs in tiling firms, finishing trades, façade companies or paving businesses.
With experienceFurther trainingDeepen your skills in tile laying or façade construction through short training courses.
Longer termMaster or degreeTake the master tiler's Meister, start your own firm or study civil engineering with university entry.
Already B2? Take action

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

Employers in the “Building and construction” sector are currently looking for candidates in Africa on AZUFA.

Create your candidate profile, state your German level and the “Tiler (Fliesen-, Platten- und Mosaikleger/in)” occupation: companies recruiting apprentices can find you, and we follow your application step by step.

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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.

Check my eligibility

Take the test

Online on our website, or directly at our Douala office.

Take the test
Talk to an advisor

Talk to our team

Call us, an advisor will answer.

Germany+49 (0) 7033 694 18 80Cameroon+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.

See the courses
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AZUFA is always us

Our platform connects you with German companies recruiting apprentices.

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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. 1

    Check my eligibility

    Campus GermanyCampus Germany
  2. 2

    Talk to an advisor

    Campus GermanyCampus Germany
  3. 3

    Learn German, from A1 to B2

    DZKDZK
    Douala: DZK centre. Elsewhere: partners
  4. 4

    Prepare the application file

    Campus GermanyCampus Germany
  5. 5

    Find the company and sign the training contract

    AZUFAAZUFA
    It is always us
  6. 6

    Prepare the visa and paperwork

    Campus GermanyCampus Germany
  7. 7

    Prepare your departure and settling in

    KAGEDEV e.V.KAGEDEV e.V.
  8. 8

    First day of training in Germany

    AZUFAAZUFA
    It is always us
See the detail of the 8 steps
  1. 1. Check my eligibility (Campus Germany)
    The test is done online on our website or at our Douala office.
  2. 2. Talk to an advisor (Campus Germany)
    Review your profile, your wishes and the chosen occupation.
  3. 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. 4. Prepare the application file (Campus Germany)
    CV and cover letter in German, translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts, B2 level certificate.
  5. 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. 6. Prepare the visa and paperwork (Campus Germany)
    Support to gather the documents and complete the administrative steps.
  7. 7. Prepare your departure and settling in (KAGEDEV e.V.)
    Travel, housing and first steps in Germany: we prepare you before you leave.
  8. 8. First day of training in Germany (AZUFA)
    You arrive prepared and supported, with a team that has known you since day one.
  1. 1

    Check my eligibility

    The test is done online on our website or at our Douala office.

    Campus GermanyRun by Campus Germany
  2. 2

    Talk to an advisor

    Review your profile, your wishes and the chosen occupation.

    Campus GermanyRun by Campus Germany
  3. 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.

    DZKRun by DZK · Douala: DZK centre. Elsewhere: partners
  4. 4

    Prepare the application file

    CV and cover letter in German, translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts, B2 level certificate.

    Campus GermanyRun by Campus Germany
  5. 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.

    AZUFARun by AZUFA · It is always us
  6. 6

    Prepare the visa and paperwork

    Support to gather the documents and complete the administrative steps.

    Campus GermanyRun by Campus Germany
  7. 7

    Prepare your departure and settling in

    Travel, housing and first steps in Germany: we prepare you before you leave.

    KAGEDEV e.V.Run by KAGEDEV e.V.
  8. 8

    First day of training in Germany

    You arrive prepared and supported, with a team that has known you since day one.

    AZUFARun by AZUFA · It is always us

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Our structures for this occupation

AZUFA
AZUFAOur platform for recruiting apprentices and skilled staff from Africa: matching with German companies through to the training contract.
See AZUFA
DZK
Deutschzentrum KAGEDEV (DZK)Our own German language centre, in Douala. Outside Douala: partner centres.
See the offer
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.
How do company and school alternate?
The training is dual: you work in a company and attend the Berufsschule (vocational school) one or two days a week, or in blocks. Periods in an inter-company training centre complete the practice.
Does the new training regulation change the exam?
A new regulation for building trades has been in force since 1 August 2026. It introduces a final exam in two parts, the first of which counts towards the final mark.
In the same category

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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 assistanceWrite 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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