Career change as a vocational trainer
With your experience you can switch to 11 jobs in Germany: 11 with on-the-job training and 0 with training or a course.
In the job search you can sort by what matters to you, save jobs and see where they lead.
Career change paths
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E-learning author
Also: Instructional designer
With on-the-job training
As an e-learning author or instructional designer, you develop digital courses, learning videos and tests for companies and education providers.
- What you bring:
- You can structure learning material, formulate learning goals and know where learners get stuck.
- How to get there:
- Education providers, agencies and corporations train teachers on authoring tools and learning platforms. Courses on e-learning tools usually take a few days to a few weeks.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an officeHome office possible€5,254gross per monthMedian salary
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Specialist advisor for teaching development
Also: Policy advisor at a state institute for school quality
With on-the-job training
In school supervision, state institutes or the education administration, you help develop curricula, further training and quality procedures.
- What you bring:
- You have designed learning-field teaching, exams and school development yourself.
- How to get there:
- Teachers in the school service are usually seconded or transferred to advertised positions, often after experience as a specialist advisor. The routes differ from state to state.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically light€5,466gross per monthMedian salary
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Department head at a vocational school
Also: Head of a training center
With on-the-job trainingPromotion
In the management of a school, department or training center, you steer staff, offerings and budget.
- What you bring:
- You know teaching, exams and cooperation with companies and chambers.
- How to get there:
- At state schools, you apply for management positions, and depending on the state, there are qualification courses for school management. Private training providers also hire experienced teachers directly into management roles.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically light -
Career advisor at the Federal Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit)
Also: Education counselor
With on-the-job training
As a career or education counselor, you help young people and adults find suitable training, degree programs or further training.
- What you bring:
- You know training occupations, requirements and typical stumbling blocks of young people very well.
- How to get there:
- The Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) also hires university graduates as career advisors and qualifies them in-house. Municipal education counseling services and chambers also train experienced teachers on the job.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleIn an office€4,457gross per monthMedian salary
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Training advisor at a chamber
Also: Policy advisor for vocational training
With on-the-job training
At Chambers of Industry and Commerce, Chambers of Crafts or associations, you advise training companies, mediate conflicts and help develop training rules.
- What you bring:
- You know training regulations, the exam system and the problems companies have with apprentices.
- How to get there:
- Chambers and associations train experienced vocational education professionals on the job in vocational training law and chamber procedures. Positions are advertised regionally.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people€5,034gross per monthMedian salary
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IT trainer
Also: Trainer for digital skills
With on-the-job training
As an IT trainer, you train employees in software, digital ways of working or applications of your field.
- What you bring:
- You explain well and have experience with digital learning tools and specialist software.
- How to get there:
- Training providers and companies train teachers with good IT skills on the job. Vendor certificates for the software being taught usually take a few days to a few weeks. Besides permanent positions, there is also freelance work.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically light€5,449gross per monthMedian salary
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Application consultant in technical sales
Also: Training officer at a device manufacturer
With on-the-job training
At manufacturers of machines, teaching aids or medical technology, you advise customers, demonstrate products and train users.
- What you bring:
- If you teach technical subjects, you can demonstrate devices and processes clearly.
- How to get there:
- Manufacturers give teachers with a technical background product training over a few weeks. Expect travel to customers and trade fairs.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people€5,550gross per monthMedian salary
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HR director
Also: Head of HR development
With on-the-job trainingPromotion
As HR director, you are responsible for all HR topics, from recruiting and development to employment law and working with the works council (Betriebsrat).
- What you bring:
- You know HR development, managers and change processes, and you have worked closely with senior management.
- How to get there:
- This move often happens internally or by first becoming head of HR development. You can close gaps in employment law and payroll with courses, or with the upgrading course for certified HR specialist (Geprüfte Personalfachkauffrau/Geprüfter Personalfachkaufmann) offered by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK).*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office€7,885gross per monthMedian salary
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Organizational consultant
Also: Change manager
With on-the-job training
As an organizational consultant or change manager, you guide restructuring, facilitate workshops and advise managers.
- What you bring:
- You have supported learning programs, workshops and change processes and know how people react to new things.
- How to get there:
- Consulting firms and larger companies hire experienced HR development specialists. Further training in organizational development or change management is available alongside work, and the duration depends on the provider. Later, you can also work as a freelancer.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people€6,768gross per monthMedian salary
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Job coach
Also: Integration consultant at a training provider
With on-the-job training
As a job coach at a training provider, you support job seekers with applications, further training and starting a new job.
- What you bring:
- You can recognize strengths, motivate people and plan learning paths.
- How to get there:
- Training providers hire specialists with coaching or education experience for these roles, and the programs are usually funded by the Federal Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) and the Jobcenter. Coaching certificates and knowledge of the labor market help you get in.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people€3,374gross per monthMedian salary
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Internal communications officer
Also: Communications officer
With on-the-job training
In internal communications, you write articles for the intranet and employee publications, organize events and support change.
- What you bring:
- You can explain changes, develop formats for staff and know what is on their minds.
- How to get there:
- Companies hire HR development specialists with strong writing skills directly, and courses in corporate communications take a few weeks to months. Work samples help with your application.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an officeHome office possible€5,318gross per monthMedian salary
Salary: median of all full-time employees in the job, gross per month excluding special payments, as of April 2025. Half earn more, half earn less. Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), table 62361-0030, license dl-de/by-2-0. Assigned to the jobs by quereinsteiger.de. No guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently asked questions
Which jobs can I do as a vocational trainer without vocational training or retraining?
Without a new qualification, often with on-the-job training: E-learning author, Specialist advisor for teaching development, Department head at a vocational school, Career advisor at the Federal Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit), Training advisor at a chamber, IT trainer, Application consultant in technical sales, HR director, Organizational consultant, Job coach and Internal communications officer.
What promotion options do I have as a vocational trainer?
Promotions include, for example: Department head at a vocational school and HR director.
Which of these jobs pay the most?
According to official statistics, the highest median full-time salaries are: HR director (€7,885 gross per month), Organizational consultant (€6,768 gross per month) and Application consultant in technical sales (€5,550 gross per month). Half of employees earn more, half earn less; when you start it is often lower. Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), April 2025. No guarantee of accuracy.
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