© GIZ

Information for school students

Do you want to get straight down to work and gather your own experience? If so, a dual study or vocational training programme could be for you. From day one, you will be given interesting tasks and made part of the team. This will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to make the best possible start to your professional career.

Dual study programmes

Would you like to combine theoretical study and practical experience to prepare you for the future? And are you looking for an interesting and varied occupation that you really enjoy? We have just the programme for you.

A dual Bachelor’s degree course will give you a solid foundation for future employment across the company.

You will be able immediately to put what you have learned into practice and deepen your knowledge. To combine an entry-level post in the company with stimulating study, apply now.
 

Combining a course of academic study with in-company training with GIZ will lead you to an internationally recognised Bachelor’s degree. GIZ cooperates with a number of universities offering different course content. You can choose elective and follow-on modules to reflect your own interests in specialist areas of business administration.

    Your course of study spans six semesters. GIZ offers an opportunity to spend between 10 and 12 weeks abroad during one of the practical phases towards the end of the course.

    Training location: Bonn
    University: University of Trier
    Course: Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, with a specialist focus on financial control. Students may also select a second specialist focus.
    ‘Block’ model: theory and practice alternate
    The practical phases usually last 10 weeks and take place outside term time.

    Training location: Bonn
    University: Alanus University in Alfter
    Course: BWL – Wirtschaft neu denken mit beruflicher Praxis (Business Administration - rethinking business with partners from practice)
    ‘Block’ model: alternating theory and practice
    The practical phases last a total of 60 week.

    Training location: Eschborn
    University: FOM Frankfurt am Main, Germany
    Course: Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a choice of focus (finance and financial control, project management, or marketing)
    ‘Block’ model: theory and practice alternate: usually, 14 weeks of practical training and 10 weeks of theory

    Training location: Eschborn
    University: Duale Hochschule Baden Württemberg (DHBW) in Mannheim
    Course: Bachelor of Arts in International Business
    ‘Block’ model: theory and practice alternate: usually, 12 weeks of practical training and 12 weeks of theory

    Following an introduction, you will spend periods of several months working in different units within GIZ. We will make every effort to reflect your personal interests in the choice of units. These may include Human Resources, Financial Control, Purchasing, Contract Management, Health Services, and a regional or global department. This phase includes assignments within Germany and in a GIZ office abroad.

    • A school-leaving qualification with a ‘Good’ or ‘Very Good’ grade, including a ‘Good’ grade in maths
    • Good written and oral skills
    • Perseverance and a performance- and results orientation
    • Very good knowledge of English; knowledge of one or more other languages would be an advantage
    • Ideally, initial commercial skills, for example gained through an internship

    • A multicultural working atmosphere
    • Seminars and training courses
    • Scope to shape your work
    • A range of employment benefits
    • Optional cross-sectoral training assignments and a period abroad
    • Study on a part-time basis if you are unable to undertake full-time training for reasons such as looking after young children or caring for family members
    • Special leave to write your final dissertation

    Training begins: in August each year
    Training lasts: three years

The Digital Transformation and IT Solutions (DIGITS) Department supports GIZ in continuing to be successful as it moves towards a digital world. 

Join a department whose role ranges from coordinating the digital transformation and digitalising business processes to identifying suitable digital solutions and carrying out governance work for IT security and data management. DIGITS undertakes this work for the company worldwide.

A dual course of study lasts for eight semesters. You will acquire specialist knowledge in the areas of data analysis, machine learning and artificial intelligence as well as gaining a good understanding of business processes. 

    Data Science is an interdisciplinary area of study. In the theoretical part of the course, the focus will be on areas including big data, cloud computing, data visualisation, data management, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. Students will also acquire methodological skills in the areas of business process and project management, business studies, and software development. 

    During the 10-week to 12-week practical phases, you will be based in the DIGITS Department at GIZ. You will start by familiarising yourself with the role and structure of DIGITS, moving on to learn about database organisation, data security and data protection, data analysis, applications development, and user support. You will then work on IT projects, focusing on applying and deepening your specialist knowledge in selected functional areas. There is an option to complete a six- to eight-week assignment in one of our country offices abroad.

    Training location: Eschborn
    University: Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg (DHBW) in Mannheim
    Period of study: ‘Block’ model 

    • School-leaving qualification with a ‘Good’ or ‘Very good’ grade
    • An interest in business information systems
    • Ideally, initial IT skills, for example gained through an internship
    • Good skills in maths
    • Perseverance and a performance- and results orientation
    • Good written and oral skills
    • Very good spoken and written English
    • An interest in intercultural issues

    • A multicultural working atmosphere
    • Seminars and training courses
    • Scope to shape your work
    • Comprehensive employment benefits
    • Optional cross-sectoral training assignments and a period abroad
    • Study on a part-time basis if you are unable to undertake full-time training for reasons such as looking after young children or caring for family members
    • Special leave to write your final dissertation

    Training begins: in August each year (for the start of the semester on 1 October)
    Training lasts: three years

Places on the scheme are advertised between July and September to start the following August. You can find current places on our Job Portal where you can submit an online application.

Vocational education and training

Do you have a school-leaving qualification? Are you looking for an entry-level post in a company that operates internationally? We have just the programme for you. GIZ attaches great importance to vocational education and training for committed young people. We want to empower you, support your personal and specialist development, and help you become part of our team.
 
You can undergo vocational training in a range of corporate areas in Eschborn, Berlin or Bonn. You also have the option to complete part of your training in a second location and to complete an assignment abroad.
 
Interested? Look at our training occupations to see which would suit your best.
 
GIZ encourages people with disabilities to apply. You can study on a part-time basis if you are unable to undertake full-time training for reasons, such as looking after young children or caring for family members.

Additional information

Do you enjoy organising and planning? Are you a good communicator? Office managers and administrators organise and process office management tasks. They also undertake commercial activities in areas, including processing commissions, procurement, accounting, marketing, and HR administration. We advertise vacancies in the middle of each year, and successful applicants start their training the following year.

    During a period of study at a vocational school, you will learn about accounting, economics and social sciences, written communications and social studies to prepare you for working at GIZ. This will also prepare you for the intermediate examination and the final written and practical examination.

    Training location: Berlin
    Study location: Friedrich-List-Schule in Berlin
    ‘Block’ model: every two weeks for approximately one week

    Training location: Bonn
    Study location: Deutzer Freiheit, Cologne
    ‘Block’ model: for 12 weeks roughly every four months

    Training location: Eschborn
    Study location: Konrad-Adenauer-Schule in Kriftel
    ‘Block’ model: two to five weeks (depending on the unit) roughly every eight weeks

    Following an induction, you will spend periods of several months working in different units within GIZ. We will endeavour to reflect your personal interests in the choice of units. These units may include Human Resources, Financial Control, Purchasing, Contract Management, Health Services and a regional department. There is an option to complete assignments in Germany or abroad.

    • A ‘Good’ grade in your school-leaving qualification (academic or vocational)
    • A good understanding of figures
    • Business fluency in German
    • Good knowledge of English
    • Good written and spoken communication skills

    • A multicultural working atmosphere
    • Seminars and training courses
    • Scope to shape your work
    • A range of employment benefits
    • Optional cross-sectoral training assignments and a period abroad
    • Special study leave to prepare for examinations
    • Study on a part-time basis if you are unable to undertake full-time training for reasons such as looking after young children or caring for family members

    Training begins: in August each year
    Training lasts: two and a half to three years (depending on your school-leaving qualification)

Are you interested in working with different IT systems? Do you enjoy using a range of software programs? In this role, you will be supporting IT specialists with resolving system integration problems for GIZ employees. You will investigate and analyse problems, identify solutions and ensure that employees can work smoothly and without disruption. As an applications developer, you will test, analyse and develop appropriate IT systems for the company. As an IT specialist in data and process analysis, you will oversee GIZ’s management of data and will develop appropriate systems and processes.

    At the vocational school, you will acquire the knowledge to prepare you for working at GIZ. Among other areas, this will cover information and telecommunications technology products and markets, the creation and oversight of systems solutions, and systems development. This will also prepare you for the intermediate examination and the final written and practical examination.
     
    Training location: Bonn
    Study location: Heinrich-Hertz-Europakolleg Bonn
    ‘Block’ model: twice a week

    Training location: Eschborn
    Study location: Brühlwiesenschule, Hofheim
    ‘Block’ model: three- to four-week blocks at the school will alternate with practical phases in the company 

    Following an induction, you will spend periods of several months working in different units within GIZ in the areas of data processing and in a division that manages projects. You will learn about the planning and design of IT solutions, the configuration of complex networked systems, and systems maintenance. There is an option to complete assignments in Germany or abroad.

    • Good results in a general or vocational school-leaving qualification
    • Ability to think logically
    • Technical understanding
    • Good spatial skills
    • Good mathematical skills

    • A multicultural working atmosphere
    • Seminars and training courses
    • Scope to shape your work
    • A range of employment benefits
    • Optional cross-sectoral training assignments and a period abroad
    • Special study leave to prepare for examinations
    • Study on a part-time basis if you are unable to undertake full-time training for reasons, such as looking after young children or caring for family members

    Training begins: in August each year
    Training lasts: three years (this may not be shortened)

Places on the scheme are advertised between July and September of the previous year. You will find all current vacancies on the GIZ Job Portal. You can apply online from there.
 

Additional information

Our recent news

Two women sit together while one of them holds a marula nut in her hand.

21.10.2024

Biodiversity as a business model

There is a high demand for biological raw materials from Africa – whether it is for cosmetics or pharmaceutical products. Commercial use of these materials need not come at the cost of biodiversity.
A group of representatives of indigenous groups in traditional dress sit in conversation with representatives of the COP16 Presidency in Tayrona, Colombia, in the run-up to COP16, with trees in the background.

14.10.2024

‘A COP for the people’

COP16 is focused on local participation. GIZ staff member Sara Chavarriaga explains why this is so important and what challenges it creates.
A turtle at the bottom of the sea with a diving person in the background.

11.10.2024

Caribbean – Financial security for species conservation

In the Caribbean, biodiversity preservation and economic prospects go hand in hand. Together with partners, GIZ is ensuring long-term financial security for ecosystems.
A woman (Mavis Owusu-Gyamfi) in a purple blazer stands at a podium with a microphone and smiles.

07.10.2024

“Africa is not a problem to be solved, we are part of today’s solution.”

Mavis Owusu-Gyamfi advises governments in Africa on economic matters. In our interview, she argues in favour of a green restructuring of African economies.
Seven focused young people sitting at their computers in an Orange Digital Center.

04.10.2024

Cocoa 2.0: Digital answers to climate change

Agriculture needs smart solutions in the face of climate change. To make this work, GIZ and the telecommunications company Orange are collaborating in Côte d’Ivoire.
Two people harvesting green peppers in a field surrounded by lush greenery and fertile plants.

17.01.2023

Start-ups are improving lives

A funding programme supports young companies in Africa in getting investment ready. Their digital innovations are boosting income in the agricultural sector.