School - and then?

Vocational orientation for school pupils in NRW

Text last updated: 2026-03-13

An overview of the most important aspects of career and study orientation

With 327 recognized professions, vocational training offers a wide range of opportunities. If you want to study, you can choose from over 22,000 degree courses across Germany.
In North Rhine-Westphalia, pupils from year 8 onwards are systematically supported in their careers guidance by the state program "Kein Abschluss ohne Anschluss" (KAoA).
KAoA comprises fixed modules such as potential analysis, career exploration, practical courses and study orientation to ensure that all young people develop clear career prospects at an early stage.
The Ausbildungswege NRW coaching program provides young people with individual support during career orientation, the search for an apprenticeship and the application process.
Additional support services (e.g. for young people with support needs) and digital tools such as Berufswahlpass 4.0 and berufswahlapp support the successful transition from school to training or university.
Advice and support is available from the Federal Employment Agency, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce and at training and job fairs. For prospective students, university information days, taster courses and student advisory services can help with the decision-making process.

Help with career guidance for pupils

With so many apprenticeships to choose from, it is often not easy for young people to make a decision about their future career. Which path leads to their dream job and what are the possible alternatives? Fortunately, school students in North Rhine-Westphalia are not left to make their own decisions. They are systematically supported in all matters and questions relating to career choices from year 8 and 9 onwards - for example through the NRW career entry support service and the state-wide transition system "No graduation without a connection" (KAoA). You can find out what this involves here.

There are many good reasons for training

There are currently 327 recognized training occupations in Germany in these areas: Industry, skilled trades, public service, home economics, agriculture, maritime shipping and in liberal professions. But which profession and which sector is the right one? This question already arises during the school years. Parents are a good source of advice in the career choice process, as they know their child best. In addition, many school and digital offers help with career guidance. Pupils should also take the opportunity to talk to a careers advisor about their personal options and paths to their dream job. Young people can arrange a free consultation at their local employment agency.

Other points of contact are the chambers of industry and commerce and the chambers of skilled trades, where young people can also obtain valuable advice and detailed information.

A good way to actively and informally find out about training opportunities is to visit a training or job fair. Companies and businesses in the region present themselves there and showcase their offers. The fairs offer a good opportunity to get to know training companies at close quarters. HR managers are often on the stand together with trainees, who provide authentic insights into the practical side of things and answer all questions in detail. Pupils get a personal impression of potential employers and can make initial contacts.

Free presentations and coaching for applications and job interviews round off the program.

Career entry support NRW

At many schools in North Rhine-Westphalia, career entry support provides individual start-up assistance for the transition from school to work. The support instrument is aimed specifically at pupils who are aiming for an apprenticeship with a lower secondary or special school leaving certificate and need special help along the way.

The support starts as early as the pre-entry class, helps with the school-leaving certificate and provides support during the first few months of training. During this time, the career entry mentors are on hand to help with career guidance and decision-making, arrange internships, help young people with job applications and overcome personal challenges.

The support is individual and available for up to 36 months: 18 months during the school years and up to 18 months after graduation. Participation is free of charge. Young people can ask their teacher whether their school participates in the NRW career entry support program. Information can also be obtained from the employment agency.

On the website of the Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Affairs NRW you will find a detailed description of the funding instrument "career entry support" as well as an FAQ with answers to the most frequently asked questions.

Individual support with the "Ausbildungswege NRW" coaching program

"Ausbildungswege NRW" offers targeted support for young people who are on their way to a professional future. Specially trained coaches or "transition guides" accompany young people individually in their career orientation, the search for a suitable training place and during the application process.

The program is primarily aimed at pupils who are in transition from school to training, as well as young people who still need guidance. The aim is to reduce uncertainty, show prospects and build a bridge between young people and potential training companies.

KAoA - No graduation without a connection

In North Rhine-Westphalia, young people from the 8th grade onwards receive targeted help in choosing a career. The state-wide transition system KAoA - Kein Abschluss ohne Anschluss - supports all pupils in NRW with career guidance.

The process, which is supported by schools, ensures that young people are given prospects for subsequent vocational training or studies at an early stage. All public secondary schools in NRW take part in the state initiative.

What is the aim of KAoA?

How does the KAoA program work?

What do the KAoA support programs involve?

Which digital career guidance services are used in NRW?

Career choice passport 4.0

career choice app

#WHATTHEFUTURE - Information portal on careers in the social sector

Training guarantee: New funding programs since 1 April 2024

From April 1, 2024, future trainees will benefit from new funding opportunities. The Continuing Education Act and the training guarantee are intended to get more young people into training. The offers include the subsidized vocational orientation internship, the mobility grant and facilitations for participation in entry-level qualifications. Extended extra-company vocational training has been possible since August 1, 2024.

In detail, the training guarantee includes the following innovations:

Vocationally oriented short internships: In the vocational orientation internship, young people can get to know typical activities and content of an apprenticeship in a vocational orientation internship. The Federal Employment Agency covers travel and accommodation costs for one to six-week internships. This funding must be applied for at the relevant employment agency or job center before the internship begins.
Mobility allowance: If trainees have to relocate because their training is taking place away from home, they can receive a mobility allowance. The Federal Employment Agency pays the costs of two trips home to the family per month in the first year of training. Applications can be submitted to the relevant employment agency or job center.
Easier participation in entry-level training: Young people with limited placement prospects are given the opportunity to start their careers through entry-level training. Since April 1, 2024, the minimum duration has been reduced from six to four months and part-time training is possible. Since then, entry-level training has also been open to people with a disability who are aiming for a specialist internship, as well as funding for people who have previously dropped out of training with the same employer.
External vocational training: Since August 1, 2024, young people have been legally entitled to support in external vocational training if, despite extensive efforts and the use of other training-promoting measures, no company-based training place could be found.

All information about the training guarantee as part of the Training and Further Education Act can be found on the portal of the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.

Where can we find help and advice?

The local employment agencies offer expert careers advice. An appointment for advice should be arranged well in advance. A contact form is available on this Employment Agency website.

Comprehensive information for parents and adolescents can be found on the website of the Ministry of Education.

The advice centers of the Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK) and the Chambers of Crafts in the region also provide expert advice and know exactly which training companies have vacancies. The chambers are partners of the companies and can answer all questions about training. Use the Finder of the IHK to go directly to your local IHK. Use the Chamber of Crafts search engine to find the relevant Chamber of Crafts in your region.

Training and careers fairs are held regularly in all regions. The fairs offer a good opportunity to get to know training companies up close. HR managers are often on the stand together with trainees, who provide authentic insights into the practical side of things and answer all questions in detail.

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Online offers for career guidance

Career and study choice information on the Internet

The education portal of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia provides comprehensive information on the objectives of the state initiative "Kein Abschluss ohne Anschluss (KAoA)". The explanatory films provide information about the KAoA components in various languages. Click here to download the videos in German, Arabic, English, Farsi, Polish, Serbian and Turkish.

Information on "No graduation without a connection (KAoA)" Explanatory films on "No graduation without a connection (KAoA)"

How high is the training allowance? A brochure from the NRW Ministry of Labor provides information on earning potential, weekly working hours, vacation entitlement and other collectively agreed benefits in a total of 115 sectors for the year 2025.