Interim solution: How do I gain time?

Compulsory schooling, and therefore the right to free education, ends after the ninth school year. Many subsequent training programmes are offered by private companies - sometimes in cooperation with the public sector - and are subject to a fee.

Interim solution opens up prospects

It is important to find out in good time, as many programmes have application deadlines. And even if the bridging offer is not the solution you were looking for, it feels good to know what will happen after the summer holidays.

The tenth school year

Various school-based bridging programmes enable young people to find an apprenticeship, gain admission to a secondary school, make up for school deficits or simply gain maturity.

Bridging programmes give you the good feeling of knowing what to do after the ninth school year.

One year after the end of compulsory schooling, they are ready for the next step. Career choice year, vocational preparation year (focussed on various occupational fields), secondary school preparation year, motivation semester - the names of the various programmes show that there is something for everyone: There is suitable learning content for everyone.

Housekeeping year

During this year, young people learn to reliably carry out practical tasks in a farm or private household. They also attend school one day a week. Even if they go in a different direction professionally afterwards, this one-year training programme helps them to progress personally.

Language study trip

A language stay, whether as an au pair (domestic help) or in a school and with a host family, improves foreign language skills enormously and makes young people more self-confident. Both of these are great advantages in further education. The Didac language school offers a vocational preparation year with an au pair placement in another language area and with 20, 25 or 30 lessons of school per week.

Preliminary design course

Preliminary design courses (also known as propaedeutics) help creatively gifted students to develop their talent, gain experience with other techniques and prepare for an apprenticeship in the design field. This is definitely a plus when applying for an apprenticeship as a graphic designer, polydesigner or photographer.

Social year

The social year prepares students for an apprenticeship in the social sector, and some also offer specific job application assistance. Students work four days a week in a nursing, care or other institution and attend school for one day.

Internship

Work placements provide a realistic insight into everyday life in the relevant areas. A good internship is characterised by the fact that the interns have the opportunity to learn and are not just cheap labour. It is important - but by no means a given everywhere - to have one day of school per week in order not to forget how to learn and to keep up well at vocational school later on.

Commercial preliminary course

Didn't manage to find a commercial apprenticeship? Various schools offer bridging programmes that help to close gaps in schooling that reduce the chances of finding the desired apprenticeship.

Preparatory year for medical professions

Despite all their motivation for a career in the medical field, some young people are simply not yet ready for it. Training programmes designed for this purpose prepare students for an apprenticeship in a hospital or medical practice.