What comes after school?

Career and study choice orientation in NRW

Text last updated: 2026-03-13

An overview of the most important aspects of career and study choice 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, berufswahlapp and BO-Tool NRW 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.

Pupils in NRW receive targeted help with career guidance

Making a decision about a future career is not easy for young people. After all, there is a wide range of options and many questions: Which areas of work suit your strengths and interests? Which course of study opens up the best prospects for your own talents? Which paths lead to your dream job? In North Rhine-Westphalia, pupils are systematically guided on their path to choosing a career from year 8 onwards. Information and online sources on career and study choice guidance and what is behind the state-wide transition system "Kein Abschluss ohne Anschluss (KAoA)", for example, can be found here.

Education

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.

In addition to the school and digital offers for career guidance, it is advisable to talk to a careers advisor about personal options and ways to find your dream job. Young people can arrange a free consultation at their local employment agency.

The chambers of industry and commerce and the chambers of skilled trades also offer advice and provide detailed information.

A good way to actively find out about training opportunities is to visit a training or job fair. Companies and businesses in the region present themselves there and showcase what they have to offer. 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.

Study

After graduating from high school, the question usually arises: What should I study? The choice is huge. In Germany alone, there are more than 22,000 degree courses at around 400 universities and colleges, and the number is growing. There are also degree courses abroad.

Take your time to find out which degree course best suits your strengths and interests. Digital internet portals can be used for an initial overview.

University information days are a good way to get to know the courses offered by universities. A taster and pupil study course also provides a trial insight.

Specially trained Abi advisors offer qualified study advice at the employment agencies. They also help you to find out which educational pathways suit your personal strengths and talents.

Once the field of study has been decided, the Central Student Advisory Service is an important point of contact for prospective students. In general, it is always advisable to form your own impression of the universities that make up your shortlist. The student advisors at the local universities are happy to help and provide tips on choosing subjects, allocating study places, course content and requirements.

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 in their vocational orientation.

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

Which digital career guidance services are used in NRW?

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.

The training guarantee includes the following innovations:

  • Vocationally oriented short internships: Young people can get to know the 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 starting the internship.
  • Mobility allowance: If trainees have to move 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 introductory training: Young people with limited placement prospects are given the opportunity to start their careers through introductory training. Since April 1, 2024, the minimum duration has been shortened 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 looking 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 measures to promote training, no company-based training place could be found.

You can find all information about the training guarantee as part of the Training and Further Education Act 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.

You can find extensive information for parents and adolescents 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. The Finder of the IHK takes you 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.

You might also be interested in

Further information Links to read more

Whether it's training, studying or applying: The Federal Employment Agency's meinBERUF portal supports young people on their career path. It offers easy-to-understand information, practical tips and digital career guidance services.

Portal meinBERUF

"Career choice - simply explained" from the Federal Employment Agency provides support in plain language with information on career guidance.

Career choice - simply explained

On the website of the North Rhine-Westphalia Ministry of Education, you can find 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)"

Tips Download

Vergütung Azubis

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.

Remuneration for trainees 2025