Career change as a kitchen assistant

Career change paths

• Shift leader in system catering

  Also: System catering specialist

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  In system catering, you can, after some time, lead shifts, assign staff and keep an eye on stock.

  What you bring:

  You work quickly, cleanly and to fixed specifications and know hygiene rules and peak times.

  How to get there:

  You can start with on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) and advance to shift leader after in-house training, often after just a few months. A recognized qualification comes from vocational training (Ausbildung) as a system catering specialist (Fachmann/Fachfrau für Systemgastronomie), 3 years, which can often be shortened with work experience.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsShift workPhysically demandingLots of contact with people

  €3,497gross per monthMedian salary

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• Food industry production worker

  Also: Machine and plant operator in food technology

  With on-the-job training

  In food production, you operate plants for mixing, baking, filling or packaging and check quality.

  What you bring:

  You know food hygiene, work exactly to specifications and are used to physical work in rhythm.

  How to get there:

  You can start as a production worker with on-the-job training (Einarbeitung). Shift work is usual. A qualification comes from vocational training (Ausbildung) as a machine and plant operator (Maschinen- und Anlagenführer/in; 2 years) or food technology specialist (Fachkraft für Lebensmitteltechnik; 3 years). You can also do it as retraining (Umschulung) or, after several years of practice, through the external exam (Externenprüfung).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workPhysically demandingLittle customer contact

  €2,982gross per monthMedian salary

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• Sterile supply worker

  Also: Sterile processing assistant

  With on-the-job training

  The reprocessing of surgical instruments in the hospital requires the same care, only with even stricter rules.

  What you bring:

  You work at dishwashers and according to hygiene plans and know how important clean processes are.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in the reprocessing department of a hospital. You usually also take a Fachkunde course for sterile processing assistance (Fachkundelehrgang für Sterilgutassistenz), with a few weeks of instruction plus practice, which is often eligible for funding with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workLittle customer contact

  €3,342gross per monthMedian salary

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• Nursing assistant

  Also: Qualified nursing assistant (Pflegefachassistent)

  With on-the-job training

  In nursing assistance, you support people directly with personal hygiene, meals and moving.

  What you bring:

  You know hygiene rules, pitch in physically and perhaps already work in a clinic or care home kitchen.

  How to get there:

  You can start as a nursing assistant after a basic nursing course (Pflegebasiskurs) of a few weeks. For a qualification, you can do vocational training (Ausbildung) as a nursing assistant (Pflegefachassistentin/Pflegefachassistent). From 2027 this training is uniform nationwide and takes 18 months full-time. With work experience in nursing, it can be shortened.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsShift workPhysically demandingLots of contact with people

  €3,296gross per monthMedian salary

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• Server

  Also: Restaurant and event catering specialist

  With on-the-job training

  In service, you are directly with the guests, take orders and advise on food and drinks.

  What you bring:

  You know the processes between kitchen and service, know how dishes are plated and keep an overview at peak times.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in the restaurant or hotel, usually lasting a few weeks. Good German skills are important, and English helps. A qualification comes from vocational training (Ausbildung) as a restaurant and event catering specialist (Fachmann/Fachfrau für Restaurants und Veranstaltungsgastronomie; 3 years) or hospitality specialist (Fachkraft für Gastronomie; 2 years).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsShift workPhysically demandingLots of contact with people

  €2,815gross per monthMedian salary

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• Cook

  Also: Kitchen specialist

  With retrainingPromotion

  With a qualification, you cook at the stations yourself, plan quantities and take responsibility for the dishes.

  What you bring:

  You know the processes in the kitchen, prepare ingredients, keep to hygiene rules and help out at peak times.

  How to get there:

  Vocational training (Ausbildung) as a kitchen specialist (Fachkraft Küche; 2 years) or cook (Koch/Köchin; 3 years) is the way in, also as retraining (Umschulung), and it is often eligible for funding with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein). Without training, you can be admitted to the final exam at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) under § 45 para. 2 BBiG if you have worked one and a half times the training period in the occupation, that is 3 years for the kitchen specialist and 4.5 years for cook. The IHK decides whether your work as a kitchen helper counts.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsShift workPhysically demandingLittle customer contact

  €3,058gross per monthMedian salary

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• Baker

  Also: Pastry chef

  With retraining

  In a bakery or pastry shop, you make bread, baked goods, cakes and fine pastries yourself.

  What you bring:

  You work by recipe and quantities, keep to hygiene rules and are used to early, physical work.

  How to get there:

  Vocational training (Ausbildung) takes 3 years and can often be shortened with work experience. You can also do retraining (Umschulung), which is often eligible for funding with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein). Companies also hire production helpers who work their way up in the company. The working day usually starts very early in the morning.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsShift workPhysically demanding

  €3,200gross per monthMedian salary

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• Lead home economics worker (Hauswirtschafter)

  Also: Master craftsperson in home economics

  With retrainingPromotion

  As a home economics worker (Hauswirtschafter), you plan catering, laundry and cleaning for a whole facility and later guide assistants.

  What you bring:

  You know large kitchens, hygiene and cleaning from care homes, clinics or canteens.

  How to get there:

  Vocational training (Ausbildung) as a home economics worker (Hauswirtschafter/in) takes 3 years, and you can also do it as retraining (Umschulung). Without training, you can be admitted to the final exam at the responsible body after 4.5 years of work experience in home economics (§ 45 para. 2 BBiG). Later the master craftsperson exam (Meisterprüfung) in home economics is possible, which qualifies you to manage an area.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  €3,996gross per monthMedian salary

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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.