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Gastronomy and hotel industry in Saxony: paths to training and work

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The catering and hotel industry in Saxony offers many job opportunities for international professionals. Restaurants, hotels, cafés and catering companies are regularly looking for kitchen, service and management staff.

Saxony is a popular tourist destination with historic cities, natural regions and many cultural events. That is why there is a year-round demand for qualified employees in the sector. Whether with training, professional experience or as a career changer: international specialists are welcome in many companies.

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Why work in the hospitality industry?

Jobs in the catering and hotel industry offer many advantages:

Working with people
There is hardly any other profession where you have so much contact with colleagues and guests from all over the world. If you enjoy working with people, this industry is ideal for you.

Many career opportunities
From trainee to head chef, hotel manager or self-employment - if you are motivated and take on responsibility, you have many development opportunities.

Good future prospects
Tourism continues to grow. That's why skilled workers are always in demand in the catering and hotel industry.

Varied work
Every day is different: new guests, new challenges and different tasks in the team.

There are various jobs in the catering and hotel industry, such as:

Kitchen

  • Cook
  • kitchen assistant
  • Sous-chef or chef de cuisine

service

  • Restaurant specialist
  • waiter
  • Bar staff

hotel

  • Hotel specialist
  • Reception / Front Office
  • Housekeeping

management

  • Restaurant management
  • hotel management
  • event management

Information on training

An apprenticeship in the catering or hotel industry is versatile and varied and usually lasts 3 years.

There are the following apprenticeships: cook; kitchen specialist; hotel specialist, hotel management assistant; catering specialist; restaurant and event catering specialist; system catering specialist

During your training, you will attend a vocational school and gain practical experience in a company.

You will receive a monthly training allowance. The amount is determined by the employer. In many cases, the salary is higher than the average training salary in other professions in Germany.

After your apprenticeship, you have a very good chance of finding a permanent position.

For the apprenticeship you need:

  • School-leaving certificate from your home country
  • German language skills at B2 level
  • a training place in a company
  • a visa for vocational training

Dual study program in hospitality and tourism

A dual study program combines studying at a university and working in a company, such as a hotel, restaurant or tourism business.

You alternate between university and company, gain work experience right from the start and usually receive a salary. The course usually lasts 3 to 3.5 years and ends with a Bachelor's degree. Prerequisites are a university entrance qualification, knowledge of German (at least B2) and an interest in service and working with people. After graduating, you will have good job opportunities, for example in the hotel, tourism or event sector, including prospects for management positions.

You can find more information under Dual studies.

Working with vocational training

If you have already completed training in your country of origin, it may make sense to have your qualification recognized in Germany. Recognition helps employers to better assess your qualifications.

  • Professional qualification
  • German language skills at least B1 level, in the service sector at least B2 level
  • Job offer
  • Visa

Working without a vocational qualification

In the catering industry, it is often possible to work without full recognition, for example as a kitchen assistant, service staff, housekeeping employee or in breakfast service.

With professional experience, you can take on more responsibility later on or catch up on recognition.

You can find current job vacancies under Job vacancies and on the DEHOGA Sachsen e.V. job portal.