Side jobs during an apprenticeship

In short: Apprentices may in principle work independently on the side as long as the training goal is not endangered and no competition with the training company arises. The training contract may require a notification or approval.

In more detail: The Vocational Training Act lists apprentices’ duties: learn, follow instructions, keep confidentiality, attend vocational school. It follows that a side activity leading to exhaustion, absences or conflicts of interest is not allowed. Many contracts and companies require side jobs to be reported or approved.

In detail

• Read the training contract: rules on side jobs, confidentiality, competition.
• Tell your trainer: openness builds trust and prevents warnings or trouble.
• Competition: a business competing with the training company is grounds for termination.
• Working time: vocational school, training and exam preparation come first.
• Company secrets: use nothing from the company for your own business (customer data, know-how, software).
• Youth employment law: the law applies to employment, not to independent self-employment. Still, rest and training should not suffer (Youth Employment Protection Act).

See also: Training contract, Compulsory schooling, vocational school and self-employment