Dual System Professional Training

Why choose dual vocational training?

• Shortened training period of just 22 months
• Excellent entry-level and career opportunities in Germany and internationally
• A strong advantage when applying for further study or employment
• Practical use of foreign languages in your everyday working environment
• Work and learn in internationally active companies
• Small classes, individual support and modern facilities at a well-established vocational school

Why Hong Kong?

• One of the world’s most open and dynamic business locations
• A leading financial and trading centre in Asia
• An international hub for air freight, services and innovation
• A key gateway to Mainland China and Southeast Asia
• Home to around 1,500 international companies

Vocational School – Theory

• Classes at the German Business School (GBS)
• 1.5 days of classes per week
• Language of instruction: German
• The head of the vocational school is appointed on behalf of the German Federal Government
• Tuition fee: HK$50,000 per year (as of the 2025–26 academic year)

Company – Practical Training

• Practical training at trading and industrial companies, transport and logistics service providers, and service companies
• 3.5 working days per week
• Business language: Predominantly English
• Standardised training in accordance with the German vocational training framework

Requirements

• At least a German Fachhochschulreife, Abitur or an equivalent school-leaving qualification, such as the IB or A Levels
• Good command of both German and English
• Applicants who do not already hold a residence permit for Hong Kong, for example because they are not already living there with their family, must be at least 18 years old by the start of the training programme

Submit Your Application

Applications are submitted directly to German Industry and Commerce Hong Kong (GIC):

• The application form is available on hongkong.ahk.de from December onwards
• Additional application documents: a cover letter, a one-minute video, a CV in English, your Abitur certificate or your three most recent school reports, and any additional certificates or supporting documents (optional)
• You may apply for one or several vocational training programmes
• Application period: 1 December in the year before the programme starts until 28 February; the training programme begins on 1 September of the same year

Haven’t received your Abitur certificate yet?
Please submit your three most recent school reports instead.

Is your company having difficulties finding qualified junior employees with the desired professional and language skills as well as work habits to match your requirements in Hong Kong? – The solution is fairly simple: Train your own.

Trainees participating in the Dual Professional Training Programme are highly motivated young talents with diverse language skills, who are keen on gaining experience abroad and ready to take on the challenges of living and working in Hong Kong.

Over the course of 22 months, trainees will take on different duties in every department of your company, thus gaining a comprehensive understanding of your business in all its facets, while at the same time receiving the theoretical training and expertise to become well-rounded Management Assistants in one of three sectors: Wholesale & Foreign Trade; Transport and Logistics; or Digitalisation.

The Dual Professional Training Programme allows you to develop your potential future employees according to your company's specific talent needs.

Practical Training

During the 22-month training period, trainees should rotate through all major operational and administrative departments of your company, in order to gain insights into all relevant procedures and commercial operations. Training companies are required to design a training schedule and appoint a designated trainer or mentor within the company to oversee the entire training process.

GIC recruits and pre-selects applicants/trainees and provides training companies with profiles of qualified candidates to select from. GIC also issues training contracts and supporting documents for visa application, provides support for the preparation of training schedules, and supports training companies throughout the entire training period.

Theoretical Training

Theoretical training is provided by the German Business School, which is headed by a fully qualified training school teacher, appointed and funded by the German Federal Administration Office (Bundesverwaltungsamt). The GBS conducts all classes and examinations, and keeps in close contact with the training companies.

The training is conducted in accordance with the relevant guidelines and regulations of the Federal Republic of Germany with regards to professional training as well as general provisions for the curriculum (Rahmenlehrplan), but has been adapted to the specific requirements of the local environment and contains special additional content.

For further information on the Dual Professional Training Programme and how to join as a training company, please contact Ursula Klingenberg at hoehne.verena@hongkong.ahk.de or +852 2532 1233.