How to Get an AVGS from the Jobcenter in Germany

How do I get an AVGS from the Jobcenter? This is a question many jobseekers ask when they need support with career orientation, job applications or finding a new position. The Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein, commonly known as AVGS, can under certain conditions provide access to funded support programmes.

An AVGS can, for example, be used for individual job coaching. Depending on your situation, coaching may focus on career orientation, improving application documents, preparing for job interviews or developing a practical strategy for finding employment.

It is important to understand that an AVGS is not granted automatically. The Jobcenter reviews your individual situation and decides whether funding is appropriate and available. Good preparation for the consultation can therefore be helpful.

What Is an AVGS?

AVGS stands for Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein. It is a voucher that can be used to fund certain programmes intended to improve a person’s chances of entering or returning to employment. You can find a detailed overview in our article What Is an AVGS? Funding & Job Coaching in Germany.

The objective may be to develop a new professional perspective, create a more structured job search or identify and gradually overcome barriers that make it difficult to find work.

Depending on the individual situation, an AVGS may support different types of measures. One of the most common options is individual job coaching.

Which Topics Can Be Covered in AVGS Coaching?

• career orientation and goal setting,
• review of previous professional experience,
• creating or improving a CV,
• preparing job applications,
• searching for suitable vacancies,
• preparing for job interviews,
• developing an individual application strategy,
• planning the next professional steps.

The right content always depends on the participant’s individual situation. Good coaching should therefore not follow exactly the same programme for every person.

Who Can Get an AVGS from the Jobcenter?

An AVGS can be relevant for people who need additional support with their professional integration. It is often used by people who are registered with the Jobcenter, are currently unemployed or want to improve their employment situation.

Whether a voucher is issued depends on the individual case. The responsible adviser considers, among other factors, whether the proposed measure could realistically improve the person’s chances of finding employment.

Typical Situations Where an AVGS May Be Useful

• You have been looking for work for a longer period.
• You receive few or no responses to your applications.
• You are unsure which profession or industry is suitable for you.
• You want to return to employment after a longer break.
• Your application documents are outdated.
• You want to change your professional direction.
• You need support preparing for interviews.
• You want to understand your professional strengths and opportunities better.

People who completed their education or gained professional experience outside Germany may face additional challenges. These can include recognition of qualifications, German language skills, understanding the German labour market and identifying jobs that match their previous experience.

How Do I Apply for an AVGS at the Jobcenter?

In practice, the process usually begins with a consultation with your responsible adviser at the Jobcenter.

It is useful to raise the topic actively and explain why coaching or another support programme could help in your current situation.

Simply saying “I would like an AVGS” is usually less effective than explaining your individual situation clearly and specifically.

Step 1: Analyse Your Current Situation

Before your appointment, it can be useful to think through a few basic questions:

• How long have I been looking for work?
• Which types of jobs have I been applying for?
• How many applications have I submitted?
• What responses have I received?
• What are my biggest difficulties?
• What kind of support would help me most?

The more clearly you can describe your situation, the easier it is to identify where professional support may be needed.

Step 2: Define Your Professional Goal

Your professional goal does not necessarily have to be completely clear already. In fact, this can be one of the reasons why coaching is useful.

However, you should be able to explain the general direction you want to take. You may want to return to work as quickly as possible. You may first need career orientation, or you may want to find out whether further training would improve your opportunities.

A realistic professional goal shows that you are actively thinking about your future and are prepared to work on concrete next steps.

Step 3: Discuss the AVGS with the Jobcenter

During your next consultation, you can raise the subject of an AVGS directly.

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Explain what difficulties you are experiencing in your job search and why you believe individual coaching could help.

Relevant points may include:

• lack of career orientation,
• outdated or incomplete application documents,
• uncertainty during job interviews,
• a long and unsuccessful job search,
• returning to work after a longer interruption,
• uncertainty about suitable jobs or industries.

Does the Jobcenter Have to Issue an AVGS?

No. An AVGS is not automatically guaranteed in every situation. The Jobcenter examines the individual case and decides whether funding is appropriate.

For this reason, a conversation about an AVGS should not be treated as a simple formality. The aim is to explain why the proposed support could improve your employment prospects.

If the voucher is not approved immediately, it can be useful to ask for the reasons. The Jobcenter may require additional information or may currently consider another form of support more suitable.

Which Documents Should I Bring to the Appointment?

Good preparation can make the consultation easier and more productive. Depending on your situation, different documents may be useful.

Possible Documents

• your current CV,
• existing application documents,
• evidence of previous job applications,
• employment references and qualification certificates,
• information about the coaching programme you are interested in,
• documents relating to foreign qualifications, if relevant.

You do not necessarily need to bring every document listed above. The important point is that your professional situation can be understood clearly.

Can I Choose the Coaching Provider Myself?

If an AVGS has been issued, you can generally look for an approved provider whose programme matches the conditions stated on the voucher.

It is worth comparing different providers and checking whether the coaching actually fits your personal and professional goals.

What Should I Look for in a Coaching Programme?

• Is the coaching tailored to my individual situation?
• Which topics are covered?
• How often do sessions take place?
• How long does the programme last?
• Will I have a personal coach or contact person?
• How much practical support is provided with applications and job searching?
• Does the programme match my professional goal?

A professional provider should be able to explain clearly how the coaching works and which goals will be addressed together.

How Does Individual AVGS Coaching Work?

At the beginning of individual coaching, the first step is usually to analyse the participant’s current situation. This may include previous work experience, qualifications, personal strengths and possible obstacles.

After that, specific professional goals are defined.

Depending on the situation, the coaching may then focus on different areas.

Possible Areas of Focus

• developing a realistic professional goal,
• improving the CV,
• creating modern application documents,
• identifying suitable employers,
• preparing for job interviews,
• improving self-presentation,
• developing a concrete job search strategy.

One of the main advantages of individual coaching is that the content can be adapted to the participant’s specific needs rather than following a fixed standard programme. You can read more about this in our article Individual Coaching with AVGS: What Happens in Job Coaching?.

How Long Can AVGS Coaching Last?

The duration depends on the specific programme and the participant’s individual support needs.

Some coaching programmes take place over several weeks with regular appointments. The important factor is not only how long the programme lasts, but also which professional goals are addressed during that time.

For one participant, the main focus may be improving application documents. Another person may first need more extensive career orientation before moving on to applications and interviews.

How Much Does AVGS Coaching Cost?

If an approved programme is fully funded through a valid AVGS, participants generally do not have to pay the coaching costs themselves.

The costs are normally settled between the approved provider and the responsible authority.

Before the programme begins, it should always be confirmed that the voucher matches the selected coaching programme and that all necessary requirements have been met. You can find more information in our article How Much Does AVGS Coaching Cost? Funding Explained.

AVGS from the Jobcenter in Hamburg

For jobseekers in Hamburg, an AVGS can provide access to professional support with career orientation and the job search.

Hamburg offers many different employment opportunities, but finding the right industry, occupation or employer can still be challenging.

Individual coaching can help you assess your situation more accurately and develop a realistic strategy for your next professional steps.

Why Can Local Job Coaching Be Helpful?

Job coaching with a focus on Hamburg can deal with questions such as:

• Which industries may offer suitable opportunities?
• Which employers match my professional profile?
• Which qualifications are commonly required?
• What alternatives are available to my previous profession?
• How can I organise my job search more effectively?

You can find more information about local support in our article AVGS Coaching in Hamburg: How the Funding Works.

What Can I Do If My AVGS Is Not Approved?

If an AVGS is not approved initially, this does not necessarily mean that no other support is available.

Ask why the funding is currently not being offered and which alternatives may be available.

The Jobcenter may consider another programme, direct employment placement or further training more suitable for your situation.

It is important to remain specific and explain your professional situation clearly and objectively.

AVGS or Further Training – What Do I Need?

AVGS coaching and further training have different objectives.

Coaching usually focuses on your individual employment situation, your career direction and your strategy for finding work. Further training is more strongly focused on gaining new professional knowledge, skills or qualifications.

Coaching May Be Useful If:

• you are unsure which career path is right for you,
• you need support with applications,
• you want to develop an individual job search strategy,
• you need help changing your professional direction.

Further Training May Be Useful If:

• you lack specific professional knowledge,
• you need an additional qualification,
• you want to move into a new profession,
• a particular certificate is required for the job you want.

In some cases, coaching can even help you determine which type of further training would be most useful before making a decision. Our article Which Further Training Is Right for Me? How to Choose the Right Qualification explains this in more detail.

How to Prepare for Your Jobcenter Appointment

Good preparation can help you keep the conversation structured and focused. Before the appointment, it may be useful to write down a few important points.

• My current professional goal
• My previous job search activities
• My biggest difficulties in finding work
• The specific support I need
• The goal I want to achieve through coaching

You do not need to prepare a perfect argument. The important thing is to explain clearly why you need support and what you expect to improve through coaching.

Conclusion: How Do I Get an AVGS from the Jobcenter?

If you would like to receive an AVGS from the Jobcenter, the most important step is an open and specific discussion about your professional situation. Explain what difficulties you are experiencing in your job search, which goals you want to achieve and what kind of support could help you.

An Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein can, for example, provide access to individual job coaching covering career orientation, applications, job interviews and practical job search strategies.

Whether an AVGS is approved is decided by the Jobcenter after reviewing the individual case. Good preparation and a clear explanation of your support needs can help make the consultation more focused and productive.

For people looking for work in Hamburg who would benefit from personal guidance, AVGS coaching can be a useful way to plan the next professional steps in a structured and realistic way. You can also read Finding a Job in Hamburg: The Most Important First Steps.