Skip to main content
Campus AllemagneThe portal to opportunities in Germany, done right!
Vocational training in Germany (Ausbildung)

Public administration clerk (Verwaltungsfachangestellte/r)

Verwaltungsfachangestellter / Verwaltungsfachangestellte

You handle citizens' requests and manage files in a public authority: a 3-year training, paid from the first year, with five specialisms.

Check my eligibility →I already have B2
LevelBaccalaureaterequired
Duration3 years36 months
GermanB2required level
Pay during training€1,286 to €1,383gross / month, during the training
The occupation in 30 seconds

What a public administration clerk does

They work in a federal, state, local or other public body: they process requests, write decisions and deal with personnel, the budget or purchasing.

Process requests

Examine citizens' requests, apply the rules and prepare the authority's decisions.

Manage files

Keep case files, write letters and follow procedures accurately.

Administer

Contribute to the department's personnel, budget, accounts or purchasing management.

This occupation is for you if…

  • you like applying rules in a fair and precise way
  • you are comfortable with writing and case files
  • you enjoy informing and helping the public
  • you want a useful job in the public service

Less suitable if…

  • you do not like office work and written procedures
  • you struggle with detailed rules of law
  • you want a mainly manual or outdoor job

Advantages

  • Work in the public service
  • Five specialisms to choose from
  • Regular training pay
  • Varied work: law, personnel, budget, purchasing

Difficulties

  • Detailed administrative law and procedures
  • Mostly sedentary work
  • Administrative vocabulary in German
  • Procedures that can be long and formal
Day to day

A typical day and the key skills

Starting the shift and the day's filesThe trainer shares out the pending requests and recalls the deadlines and rules to follow.
Handling a citizen's requestCheck the documents received, apply the relevant text and prepare a draft reply.
Receiving the publicInform someone about the procedure to follow and note down their request precisely.
Following the department's budgetRecord expenses, check the funds available and file the supporting documents.
Buying suppliesCompare quotations and follow the authority's ordering rules.
Writing a decisionWrite a clear, reasoned letter that complies with the rules of administrative procedure.

Technical skills

Administrative lawWriting decisionsPublic budget and accountingPersonnel and payrollPublic procurementServing the public

Personal qualities

AccuracyPublic service ethosImpartialityDiscretionCommunication
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

≈ €1,286gross / month
  • Organisation of administration
  • Office tools and communication
  • Budget and accounting
Year 2

Law and personnel

≈ €1,337gross / month
  • Administrative law and procedure
  • Personnel and purchasing
  • Intermediate exam
Year 3

The specialism

≈ €1,383gross / month
  • Chosen specialism (12 months)
  • Applying the law to cases
  • Final exam

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

Exams and qualification
A written intermediate exam (Zwischenprüfung) takes place around the middle of the 2nd year. The final exam has four written papers (administration management, personnel, administrative law, economics and society) and a practical test applying the law to cases. You obtain the certificate as a public administration clerk (Verwaltungsfachangestellter), issued by the competent public body.
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 fitnessAn office job, mostly sedentary, with contact with the public and work on screen and on case files during the day.
Documents to prepare
  • CV and cover letter in German
  • Translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts
  • German B2 level certificate

Where it can lead

Straight awayAdministrative clerkWork in a town hall, a state, the federal administration, a chamber or a church administration.
With experienceVerwaltungsfachwirtFurther training within the administration to take on more qualified roles.
Longer termBetriebswirt or FachkaufmannOther further qualifications, for example in business management or specialised functions.
Already B2? Take action

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

Employers in the “Management, finance and administration” sector are currently looking for candidates in Africa on AZUFA.

Create your candidate profile, state your German level and the “Public administration clerk (Verwaltungsfachangestellte/r)” occupation: companies recruiting apprentices can find you, and we follow your application step by step.

Create my candidate accountI already have an account: log in

Free registration on AZUFA.

No offer for now?

Get an alert as soon as a partner company recruits for this occupation.

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
Get the contract

AZUFA is always us

Our platform connects you with German companies recruiting apprentices.

Go to AZUFA

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

Stay informed

Join our channels to receive new offers, session dates and advice. These are announcement channels: no private conversations.

Telegram channelWhatsApp channel

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.
What are the five possible specialisms?
Federal administration, state administration, local administration, crafts organisations and chambers of commerce, and administration of the Protestant churches.
How is the training split over the 3 years?
It lasts 36 months: 24 months of common training, then 12 months in the chosen specialism. In some specialisms, in-service instruction of about 420 hours is added.
In the same category

Other trainings: Management, finance and administration

All trainings →
Steuerfachangestellter/SteuerfachangestellteAssistant(e) fiscal(e) (cabinet de conseil fiscal)36 monthsJustizfachangestellter/JustizfachangestellteAssistant(e) judiciaire (greffe)36 monthsRechtsanwaltsfachangestellter/RechtsanwaltsfachangestellteAssistant(e) juridique d'avocat36 monthsBankkaufmann/BankkauffrauEmployé(e) de banque36 monthsKaufmann für Büromanagement/Kauffrau für BüromanagementEmployé(e) de commerce en gestion de bureau36 monthsIndustriekaufmann/IndustriekauffrauEmployé(e) de commerce industriel36 months

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
Check my eligibilityWhatsApp
Take the testWhatsApp