Hospitality Sector Apprenticeship Pathway

The Ethio-German Apprenticeship Pathway Pilot project, implemented on behalf of the German and Ethiopian governments, offers young Ethiopian men and women the opportunity to undertake vocational training in alternating periods of work and study - in a company and in a training establishment - in the field of hospitality in Germany.

About the Hospitality Sector

• Working reality: Employment is typically in hotels, restaurants, catering businesses and event venues. Work often includes shift work, evenings, weekends and public holidays, requiring flexibility and excellent customer service skills.
• Typical tasks: Welcoming and assisting guests, preparing rooms and dining areas, serving food and beverages, handling reservations, supporting event organisation, processing payments, coordinating housekeeping and front-office operations, and ensuring a positive guest experience.
• Needed qualifications and competencies: Strong communication and interpersonal skills, customer orientation, teamwork, flexibility with working hours (including shifts and weekends), resilience under pressure, openness to serve alcohol and pork, good organisational skills, attention to detail, and foreign-language skills, especially English.

• Hold a high school leaving certificate, a TVT certificate or a bachelor's or master's university degree. PhD holders are not eligible.
• Have demonstrable, confident and active German language proficiency at B1 level (minimum A2).
• Have good active speaking skills in English.
• Be aged between 20 and 35 years old on 1 August 2027.
• Professional experience in the relevant sector is an asset.
• A TVT or university background in the relevant sector is an asset.
• Be motivated to work in the relevant sector.
• Demonstrate a willingness to fully integrate into the work processes and regulations of German companies.
• Be flexible, committed and open-minded.

Mandatory

• CV
• Motivation letter
• Official German language certificate (Goethe, TELC or OESD)
• Academic credentials (high school leaving certificate, bachelor's degree and/or TVT certificate)
• National ID or passport

Optional

• Recommendation letters or documentation of previous work experience in the relevant sector

1. Review of online applications: Candidates with a suitable profile will be selected for the assessment centre.
2. Language pre-check: A German-language check will be conducted for all suitable candidates to confirm an A2/B1 level before they proceed to the assessment centre.
   
   The selection process will take place between October and December 2026. Specific dates and further details will be communicated directly to selected candidates at a later stage.

Assessment centre: Practical tests and in-person interviews, partly in German, will assess key competencies needed for these career pathways: teamwork, communication, resilience, hand-eye coordination, organisational talent and motivation.

Company selection: German partner companies interview candidates and may sign pre-agreements with successful applicants. Company interviews will be held in German.

A six-month introductory course in Addis Ababa covers initial or refresher German B1 training, intercultural orientation, the dual vocational system, hospitality and culinary work, mathematics and occupational digital skills.

The preparatory training will start in January 2027 and requires candidates to be available full-time for the language, technical and intercultural preparation programme.

A paid apprenticeship in Germany combines practical hotel work and vocational school. Successful candidates will start their apprenticeship in summer (August/September) 2027.

The duration of the apprenticeship in Germany will be 2-3 years.

Hotel Specialist

Hotel specialists work in different departments of a hotel, including reception, housekeeping, food service and guest relations. They ensure that guests enjoy a pleasant stay by coordinating services and responding to customer needs professionally.

Apprenticeship duration: 3 years

Hotel Management Clerk

Hotel management clerks organise administrative and commercial activities within hotels, including reservations, accounting and customer communication. They coordinate operational processes while ensuring efficient hotel management and high-quality guest services.

Restaurant and Event Hospitality Specialist

Restaurant and event hospitality specialists prepare and serve food and beverages while supporting the organisation of events and functions. They create a welcoming atmosphere, advise guests and ensure that events run smoothly from preparation to completion.

Hospitality Service Professional

Hospitality service professionals provide customer service in restaurants, hotels, cafes and catering establishments. They welcome guests, take orders, serve meals and beverages, and help maintain high standards of service quality and hygiene.

Apprenticeship duration: 2 years

After successful graduation, you have the option to remain in Germany and build a long-term career in the hospitality sector or return to Ethiopia to use your skills in the local market.