Vocational school classes are an important part of on-the-job training. Attendance at vocational school is generally mandatory for all apprentices. In exceptional cases, the homeroom teacher may excuse students from class for up to two days a year—for example, to allow them to attend company meetings on topics relevant to their training.
Vocational school time counts as work time
For vocational school classes—whether held in blocks or on individual weekdays—your employer must grant you paid time off. Class time counts in full as working time. This time off covers the duration of classes, including breaks and travel time between the workplace and the vocational school. Trainees may not have vacation days deducted for this, and they are not required to make up the time spent at vocational school at the workplace.
The same applies to exams or training activities outside the workplace. The situation may differ for voluntary events such as class trips or day trips. In such cases, you should clarify with your employer in advance whether you will be granted time off or if you’ll need to take vacation time.
The employer may not set the on-the-job training hours on school days differently from the company’s standard working hours in order to reduce the time off and thereby increase the amount of on-the-job training time.
Attendance at vocational school therefore replaces on-the-job training time. The distinction previously in effect between minor and adult apprentices regarding time off for vocational school classes has been eliminated as of 2020. The same regulation applies to both groups, derived from the Youth Employment Protection Act for minors and from the newly created Section 15 of the Vocational Training Act (BBiG) for adults.
If vocational school classes begin before 9 a.m., trainees are no longer required to report to work beforehand. Adults and minors must be granted time off once a week on vocational school days with more than five class periods of at least 45 minutes each. Attendance at vocational school is to be counted toward the average daily training time. The second vocational school day of the week is counted based on the actual class time plus breaks.
If there are two vocational school days in a week, each with more than five class periods, the apprentice is required to return to the training company on one of those two days—the specific day is determined by the training company.
Collective bargaining agreements or company agreements may also contain provisions regarding vocational school. Check with your Youth and Apprentice Committee (JAV) or your works council to find out what applies at your company.
Class Tests
Teachers are generally required to give advance notice of class exams. The number of exams is regulated differently in each federal state, but the general rule is: no more than one exam per day or three per week. In exceptional cases, two class exams per day are permitted.
Vocational school students must be given the opportunity to make up for any shortcomings. The grading scale for a test—that is, the distribution of points—must be determined in advance and made available for review so that no changes can be made afterward, including to prevent arbitrary decisions.
Am I entitled to time off before the final exam?
Yes. On the workday immediately preceding the written final exam, apprentices are entitled to a day off in accordance with Section 15(1) of the Vocational Training Act (BBiG). This day is counted toward the average daily training time.
If the final exam is divided into two separate parts according to the training regulations, trainees may claim a total of two days off: one before the written exam in the first part of the final exam and one before the written exam in the second part of the final exam. However, this is contingent upon the respective part of the exam consisting of a standalone written exam. If the respective written exam is not immediately preceded by a workday (for example, if the exam begins on a Monday, a public holiday, or a vocational school day), there is no entitlement to time off.
Sick on a School Day
If you are sick and have classes that day, you must inform your employer, as they are responsible for notifying the vocational school. However, it is advisable to also inform the vocational school directly. You must also tell your employer how long you expect to be absent. If your inability to work lasts longer than three calendar days, you must submit a doctor’s note no later than the following workday. Your employer may require you to submit the sick note starting on the first day. However, your employer may under no circumstances reduce your pay if you are sick.
Since the beginning of 2023, the so-called “yellow slip” has been replaced by the electronic certificate of incapacity for work (eAU). The doctor transmits the data for the certificate of incapacity for work electronically to the health insurance provider. Insured individuals can receive their copy digitally or as a printout from their doctor, upon request. If you have statutory health insurance, you no longer need to submit the sick note, but you must notify your employer immediately so they can retrieve the information from your health insurance provider.
It’s best to ask your teacher how sick leave is handled at your vocational school. Anyone who misses a class test due to illness must retake it once they’re healthy again. It’s also advisable to submit a copy of the eAU to your vocational school—especially if you’ve missed exams due to illness. That way, it’s clear that your absence was excused.
