The apprenticeship certificate (Ausbildungszeugnis) is a legally required document that apprentices receive from their training company upon completing their vocational training (§16 BBiG). There are two types: the simple certificate (covering only the duration and type of training) and the qualified certificate (including an assessment of performance and conduct) — apprentices are always entitled to request the latter. For companies, issuing the certificate correctly and on time is a statutory obligation.
What Is an Apprenticeship Certificate?
The apprenticeship certificate is the official confirmation issued by a training company at the end of a completed vocational training programme. It documents that a person has successfully completed a recognised apprenticeship — and forms a central part of their application documents after training.
The legal basis is found in §16 of the Vocational Training Act (Berufsbildungsgesetz, BBiG): training companies are required to issue a written certificate to apprentices upon termination of the training relationship. This obligation applies regardless of whether the apprenticeship was completed successfully, discontinued, or ended early.
Important: the apprenticeship certificate is not the same as the vocational school report (Berufsschulzeugnis, issued by the vocational school) or the examination certificate from the relevant chamber (e.g. IHK or HWK). Only all three documents together provide full proof of a completed vocational qualification.
Simple vs. Qualified Apprenticeship Certificate
The BBiG distinguishes between two types of certificates, which differ significantly in the scope of information they contain.
The Simple Apprenticeship Certificate
The simple certificate contains only factual information about the training: the type, duration, and objective of the apprenticeship, as well as the name of the occupation trained for. It does not evaluate the apprentice's performance or conduct, which makes it of limited value for job applications in practice.
The Qualified Apprenticeship Certificate
The qualified certificate goes considerably further: it additionally includes a description of the tasks carried out during training and an assessment of professional performance and workplace conduct. In practice, the qualified certificate is the standard — and it is what recruiters read and evaluate when reviewing incoming applications.
Which Certificate Am I Entitled To?
Under §16 para. 1 BBiG, apprentices are always entitled to a simple certificate. They may additionally request a qualified certificate — this right is equally enshrined in law and cannot be refused by the company. In day-to-day practice, many companies issue the qualified certificate as standard, without apprentices needing to explicitly request it.
Mandatory Contents: What Must Go Into an Apprenticeship Certificate?
The following checklist shows the minimum requirements under §16 BBiG for the simple certificate. The marked additional details apply to the qualified certificate.
Mandatory for both certificate types:
- Name and address of the training company
- First name, surname, and date of birth of the apprentice
- Name of the apprenticeship occupation
- Start and end date of the training relationship
- Place and date of issue
- Signature of the trainer and (where applicable) the legal representative of the company
Additional details for the qualified certificate:
- Description of the tasks carried out in the company
- Assessment of specialist knowledge and practical skills
- Assessment of work conduct (e.g. punctuality, reliability, teamwork)
- Optional: exceptional achievements, projects, or skills
Deadlines and Issuance
The apprenticeship certificate must be issued upon termination of the training. The law does not specify an exact number of days, but the principle of promptness applies: the certificate must be handed over no later than the last day of training, or delivered immediately afterwards.
The entitlement to the certificate also applies when training ends prematurely — for example, due to termination, failure to pass the final examination, or mutual dissolution of the training contract. Training companies may not make issuance conditional on the return of company equipment or the resolution of outstanding matters.
For HR professionals in training companies, a clearly defined internal responsibility is recommended: who drafts the certificate, who signs it off, and when is it handed over? A standardised process prevents delays and legal risk.
Understanding Reference Language (Zeugnissprache)
What Is Reference Language?
In German employment references — and therefore in apprenticeship certificates too — performance and conduct are not graded numerically but assessed using a system of coded phrases (Zeugnissprache). This system is established practice in German business and is understood by experienced recruiters. Anyone issuing or evaluating certificates should be familiar with what these phrases mean.
Phrases and Their Meaning
The same scale applies, in equivalent terms, to conduct assessments. "Always impeccable" (stets einwandfrei) corresponds to an excellent rating; the absence of "always" or its replacement with softer phrasing signals a lower assessment.
For recruiters: pay particular attention to omissions. If an assessment of conduct towards colleagues or supervisors is missing from a qualified certificate, this may be a deliberate signal from the training company. Aivy's lexicon entry on stereotype and gender bias in recruiting also illustrates why reference assessments alone do not provide an objective basis for hiring decisions.
What to Do in Case of Errors or Loss
Errors in the certificate: Factual errors (incorrect name, wrong dates, incomplete task description) can and must be corrected. Contact the training company in writing, specifying the exact errors. The company is obliged to make corrections. Where there is a substantive disagreement — for example about the assessment of performance — reaching an agreement with the company is the first step; if this fails, the matter can be referred to an employment tribunal.
Important: the right to have a certificate corrected is subject to a limitation period. Anyone who notices errors should not wait too long to act.
Loss: If an apprenticeship certificate is lost, a duplicate can be requested from the former training company. The company is not legally required to issue a duplicate — but in practice, this is usually granted as a goodwill gesture. The duplicate should be clearly marked as such.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Apprenticeship Certificate
What is the difference between a simple and a qualified apprenticeship certificate?
The simple certificate confirms, under §16 para. 1 BBiG, only the type, duration, and objective of the training — without any assessment of the person. The qualified certificate additionally includes an evaluation of performance and conduct. Apprentices are always entitled to the qualified certificate on request. In practice, it is the relevant standard for job applications.
What must be included in an apprenticeship certificate?
Minimum requirements under §16 BBiG: name and address of the company; name and date of birth of the apprentice; apprenticeship occupation; start and end dates of the training; date and signature. For the qualified certificate, a task description and assessment of performance and conduct are also required.
When must the apprenticeship certificate be issued?
The certificate must be issued upon termination of the apprenticeship — as a rule, promptly and no later than the last day of training. The BBiG does not specify an exact number of days, but unjustified delays are not legally permissible.
Can a company refuse to issue an apprenticeship certificate?
No. Issuance is a statutory obligation under §16 BBiG. If necessary, apprentices can enforce this right through legal channels — even if disputes arose towards the end of the training.
How long do I have to wait for my apprenticeship certificate?
The law does not set an exact deadline, but the certificate must be issued promptly at the end of training. Waiting periods of several weeks without any communication from the company are not acceptable; in such cases, the certificate should be requested formally in writing.
What do typical reference phrases in the certificate mean?
Performance is assessed using coded phrases: "always to our complete satisfaction" corresponds to an excellent assessment (Grade 1), while "to our satisfaction" indicates an adequate one (Grade 4). The same logic applies to conduct. Anyone issuing or evaluating certificates should know these codes — an overview can be found in the "Understanding Reference Language" section above.
Can I challenge my apprenticeship certificate?
Factual errors can be corrected at any time — the company is obliged to do so. For substantive assessment disputes, the first step is to seek a direct discussion with the company; if no agreement is reached, recourse to an employment tribunal is possible. Note that the right to have a certificate corrected can become time-barred. Acting promptly is therefore advisable.
Summary
The apprenticeship certificate is more than a formality: it is a legally binding document that apprentices need for their future career — and one that recruiters draw on daily as a basis for hiring decisions. For HR professionals in training companies, the rule is clear: correct, complete, and timely issuance under §16 BBiG is a legal obligation. For the qualified certificate, the right reference language matters — phrases carry precise meanings and are read accordingly by experienced recruiters.
Recruiters evaluating apprenticeship certificates should be aware that they reflect only a partial picture of actual suitability. Reference phrases are inherently subjective and can be influenced by unconscious bias. For objective hiring decisions — for example when transitioning an apprentice into permanent employment — it is worth looking beyond the certificate alone to structured selection processes such as the job interview.
Would you like to assess candidates objectively and independently of reference phrasing? The Aivy platform offers scientifically validated aptitude diagnostics for fair and transparent personnel selection. Learn more about objective aptitude assessment with Aivy.
Sources
- §16 Vocational Training Act (BBiG) — Certificate. Federal Ministry of Justice, 2024. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bbig_2005/__16.html
- Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) — Information on apprenticeship certificates. BIBB, 2024. https://www.bibb.de
- IHK information sheets on apprenticeship certificates. IHK Germany, 2024. https://www.ihk.de
- Reference language in employment law. Haufe Verlag, 2024. https://www.haufe.de
Make a better pre-selection — even before the first interview
In just a few minutes, Aivy shows you which candidates really fit the role. Beyond resumes based on strengths.
