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Vocational school: release and crediting as a trainee

Attending vocational school is part of the training. The training company must release you for it and may not hinder school attendance. A duty to release also applies for exams. There are clear rules for crediting toward working time.

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Trainers must release trainees for attending vocational-school instruction and exams (§ 15 BBiG). The vocational-school time counts toward the training time.
Certain school days are credited toward working time, so that on a long vocational-school day you do not additionally have to go to the company. Before a written final exam there is also a day off.

What you should do now

  1. 1

    1. Report school times

    Inform the company in time about instruction and exam dates.

  2. 2

    2. Demand release

    Insist on release for school and exams.

  3. 3

    3. Check crediting

    Make sure that long school days are correctly credited toward working time.

  4. 4

    4. Document in a dispute

    Record school times and instructions in writing if there are conflicts.

How to spot the scam

  • You are meant to still go to the company after a full vocational-school day.
  • Release for exams is refused.
  • Vocational-school time is not counted as working time.

Frequently asked questions

Must the company release me for vocational school?

Yes. The training company must release you for vocational-school instruction and for exams and may not hinder school attendance (§ 15 BBiG). The vocational-school time belongs to the training and is paid.

Must I return to the company after vocational school?

That depends on the length of instruction and your age. On a long vocational-school day with several instruction hours there is generally no duty to come to the company afterward, because the day is credited toward working time.

Do I get time off before the final exam?

Before the written part of the final exam, trainees are generally entitled to a working day off. In addition, they must be released for attending the exams themselves. Collective agreements can regulate the details.

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General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.