AVGS from the Agentur für Arbeit: Requirements and Process

If you are unemployed, at risk of unemployment or considering a new professional direction, you may be able to receive support from the Agentur für Arbeit under certain conditions. One important option is the Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein, or AVGS.

An AVGS can be used to fund different types of support that are designed to improve your chances of finding new employment. These may include individual job coaching, application training, career orientation and preparation for job interviews.

If an AVGS programme is fully funded, participants generally do not have to pay the costs themselves. However, the Agentur für Arbeit must issue the voucher and the selected programme must meet the relevant approval requirements.

In this article, you will learn how an AVGS from the Agentur für Arbeit works, who may be eligible and which steps are usually involved.

What Is an AVGS?

AVGS stands for Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein. It is an employment support instrument that may be used by the Agentur für Arbeit or the Jobcenter.

The goal is to support people on their path into employment, vocational training or a new professional direction.

Depending on the individual situation, an AVGS may be used for support such as:

• individual job coaching,
• career orientation,
• support with the job search,
• improving a CV and cover letter,
• preparation for job interviews,
• developing an application strategy,
• support when returning to work,
• coaching in preparation for self-employment.

You can find a general overview in What Is an AVGS? Funding & Job Coaching in Germany.

Who Can Receive an AVGS from the Agentur für Arbeit?

An AVGS may be particularly relevant for people who are registered with the Agentur für Arbeit as unemployed or looking for work. People whose current employment is expected to end in the foreseeable future may also be eligible for support under certain conditions.

Whether a voucher is issued always depends on the individual situation. The Agentur für Arbeit assesses whether a particular programme is suitable and useful for improving employment prospects.

Typical situations may include:

• You are unemployed and looking for a new job.
• You have already sent many applications but received very few responses.
• You are unsure which type of work matches your experience and skills.
• Your application documents need to be adapted to the German labour market.
• You want to reconsider your professional direction after long-term unemployment.
• You need support preparing for job interviews.
• You want to develop a new application strategy.

Especially when the job search has been unsuccessful for a longer period, personal coaching can help identify the reasons and develop new approaches. You can also read Long-Term Unemployment: How to Return to Work Successfully.

Is There an Automatic Right to an AVGS?

Many jobseekers assume that they are automatically entitled to receive an AVGS. However, this is not always the case.

In many situations, the decision is made at the discretion of the responsible adviser. This means that your individual circumstances are considered before funding is approved.

For this reason, it is useful to explain clearly during your appointment why coaching could improve your chances of finding employment.

Which Arguments Can Be Useful?

Instead of simply saying that you would like to participate in coaching, describe as specifically as possible where you need support.

For example:

• “I receive very few interview invitations from my applications.”
• “I am unsure which professions match my previous career.”
• “My CV is not yet adapted to the requirements of the German labour market.”
• “I need support preparing for job interviews.”
• “After a longer period of unemployment, I would like to reassess my professional options.”

The more clearly you describe your need for support, the easier it is for the adviser to assess whether a programme could be useful.

How Do You Apply for an AVGS from the Agentur für Arbeit?

A complicated formal application is often not necessary. In many cases, the process begins with a conversation with your adviser at the Agentur für Arbeit.

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1. Arrange a Consultation or Placement Appointment

Ask your adviser directly about the possibility of receiving an AVGS. Explain which difficulties you are experiencing in your job search and where you need support.

2. Explain the Goal of the Coaching

An AVGS is not issued simply because coaching sounds interesting. The programme should provide a clear professional benefit.

Possible goals may include:

• finding suitable employment more quickly,
• improving the application strategy,
• developing new professional perspectives,
• becoming more confident in job interviews,
• creating professional application documents.

3. Receive the AVGS

If the Agentur für Arbeit approves the funding, you receive an Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein.

The voucher may include specific conditions, such as the objective of the programme, its validity period or regional requirements.

4. Choose a Suitable Coaching Provider

With the voucher, you can look for a suitable approved provider.

You do not automatically have to participate in any available coaching programme. A good programme should match your personal situation and professional goals.

What Happens During AVGS Coaching?

The exact structure depends on the programme and the participant’s starting situation. In individual coaching in particular, the content can often be adapted closely to the participant.

At the beginning, topics may include:

• What professional experience do you have?
• Which qualifications and strengths do you bring?
• Which types of work could be suitable?
• Which difficulties have occurred during the job search?
• What is the current quality of your application documents?
• Which next steps make sense?

You can find more details in Individual Coaching with AVGS: What Happens in Job Coaching?.

Why Can Individual Coaching Be Useful?

The situations of jobseekers can differ considerably. Some people mainly need help with application documents. Others first need to clarify their professional direction or require support entering the German labour market.

Individual coaching can focus specifically on the areas that matter most to the participant.

Possible Topics in Individual Coaching

• analysis of previous professional experience,
• identification of personal strengths and competencies,
• career orientation,
• job search and selection of suitable employers,
• CV and cover letter,
• preparation for job interviews,
• development of an individual application strategy.

If your professional direction is still unclear, you can also read Career Orientation: Which Job Is Right for Me?.

How Much Does AVGS Coaching Cost?

If the Agentur für Arbeit issues a valid AVGS and the funding requirements are met, the costs of the approved programme may be covered.

For participants, this generally means that funded coaching does not have to be paid for personally.

However, both the programme and the provider must meet the relevant approval requirements. You can find more information in How Much Does AVGS Coaching Cost? Funding Explained.

AVGS from the Agentur für Arbeit or the Jobcenter: What Is the Difference?

An AVGS can generally be issued by either the Agentur für Arbeit or the Jobcenter. Which organisation is responsible depends on your personal situation and which institution is currently supporting you.

If you are receiving support from the Jobcenter, you normally discuss the possibility of an AVGS with your responsible Jobcenter adviser.

If you receive unemployment benefit or are being supported by the Agentur für Arbeit, you usually discuss the funding directly with the responsible adviser there.

The basic goal is similar in both cases: the support is intended to reduce barriers to employment and improve the chances of entering the labour market. For the Jobcenter process, see How to Get an AVGS from the Jobcenter in Germany.

How Do You Find Suitable AVGS Coaching in Hamburg?

A coaching programme should not only formally match the voucher. It should also genuinely fit your professional goals.

For example, you can look at whether:

• an initial personal consultation is offered,
• the content can be adapted individually,
• the provider has experience with your professional situation,
• application documents are reviewed together,
• you receive practical support with the job search,
• job interviews are prepared.

You can also read AVGS Coaching in Hamburg: How the Funding Works.

AVGS and the Practical Job Search

Coaching should ideally go beyond theoretical discussions. The goal is to improve your employment prospects in practical ways.

This may include searching together for suitable vacancies, adapting application documents to specific positions or practising common interview questions.

For many people, improving the job search begins with becoming more systematic and focused. You can find practical guidance in Finding a Job in Hamburg: The Most Important First Steps.

What If Your German Is Not Yet Perfect?

For people who have only recently moved to Germany, language can be an additional challenge during the job search.

Perfect German is not required for every type of work. What matters is assessing realistically which vacancies may already be suitable and how your existing skills can be presented effectively. You can also read Applying for Jobs with Limited German: How to Improve Your Chances.

How Should You Prepare for an Appointment at the Agentur für Arbeit?

Good preparation can help you explain your need for support clearly.

Before the appointment, think about:

• How long have you been looking for work?
• How many applications have you already sent?
• What responses have you received?
• Which problems occur repeatedly?
• Which specific goals do you want to achieve?
• What kind of support would help you reach those goals?

It can also be useful to bring your CV or examples of previous applications. This can help your adviser assess your situation more accurately. If necessary, review CV for the German Job Market: What Is Important? before the appointment.

What Happens If the AVGS Is Not Approved Immediately?

A refusal does not necessarily mean that no support is available at all.

Ask for the reasons and discuss which alternatives may be possible.

The Agentur für Arbeit may need additional information or may currently consider another programme more appropriate.

It can also be useful to explain the specific benefit of the desired coaching in more detail.

The important point is to show a clear connection between your professional situation, the difficulties you are experiencing and the type of coaching you are requesting.

Conclusion: An AVGS Can Support Your Path Back to Work

An AVGS from the Agentur für Arbeit can provide useful support if your job search has not yet produced the desired results or if you need to reconsider your professional direction.

Individual coaching can help you analyse your situation systematically, identify new professional opportunities and develop concrete steps towards employment.

When speaking with the Agentur für Arbeit, it is useful to explain as clearly as possible where the current difficulties are and why professional support may help.

The starting point should always be your individual situation: What are your professional goals, which obstacles currently exist and which type of support could help you take the next step?