What is an AVGS? This is a question many people ask when they are looking for work, considering a new career direction or need professional support with their job search. AVGS stands for Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein, which can be translated as an Activation and Placement Voucher. Under certain conditions, this voucher can be used to fund programmes designed to improve a person’s opportunities on the German labour market.
An AVGS can, for example, be used for individual job coaching. Job coaching is about much more than simply writing applications. Depending on the person’s individual situation, it may include career orientation, CV preparation, job applications, interview training, job search strategies, motivation, professional qualifications or even preparation for self-employment.
It is important to understand that an AVGS is not automatically granted. Whether a voucher is issued is decided individually by the responsible authority, usually the Jobcenter or the Agentur für Arbeit.
What Does AVGS Mean?
AVGS stands for Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein. It is a voucher that can be used to support certain programmes intended to help people enter or return to employment.
The main purpose is to help jobseekers improve their chances of finding work, develop a realistic career perspective and overcome obstacles that may be making it difficult to enter the labour market.
I have lived in Hamburg for 36 years and know the city and its opportunities very well. I help people who are looking for work identify a suitable career direction, discover new opportunities and find the right path into employment.
You are welcome to contact me in whichever language you feel most comfortable speaking.
Depending on the approved programme, an AVGS may cover individual coaching, employment-related support, placement services or other forms of professional assistance.
What Can an AVGS Help You Achieve?
The exact goals depend on your personal situation. Typical objectives may include:
- developing a clear career direction,
- finding suitable job opportunities,
- improving your CV and application documents,
- preparing for job interviews,
- identifying your professional strengths and skills,
- recognising obstacles in your job search,
- preparing to return to work after a longer break,
- planning vocational training or further qualifications.
Structured professional support can be particularly useful if you have been unemployed for a longer period, have received few positive responses to applications or are considering a complete career change.
Who Can Receive an AVGS?
An AVGS may be available to different groups of people. It is particularly relevant for people who are registered with the Agentur für Arbeit or the Jobcenter and need additional support with their professional integration.
Whether the voucher is actually approved depends on several factors. These may include your individual situation, your employment history, your professional goal and the assessment of your contact person at the responsible authority.
Typical Situations
An AVGS may be worth discussing if:
- you have been looking for work for some time,
- you are unsure which career or occupation would suit you,
- your previous applications have not been successful,
- you would like to change your career direction,
- you want to return to work after a longer break,
- you need support with applications or interviews,
- you want to understand your professional opportunities better,
- you need help planning your next career steps.
People who have moved to Germany from another country may also face additional challenges. These can include German language skills, recognition of foreign qualifications, understanding the German labour market or determining how previous professional experience can be used in Germany.
Who Issues an AVGS?
The Activation and Placement Voucher is generally issued by the Agentur für Arbeit or the Jobcenter.
Which authority is responsible depends on your individual situation. If you receive benefits from the Jobcenter, the Jobcenter will usually be your main point of contact. If you are registered as unemployed or looking for work with the Agentur für Arbeit, the Agency may be responsible.
During your consultation, it is helpful to explain your situation as clearly as possible. The more specifically you can describe the difficulties you are facing, the kind of support you need and the professional goal you want to achieve, the easier it is for your adviser to assess whether a funded programme could be appropriate.
Is an AVGS Granted Automatically?
No. An AVGS is not automatically issued.
The responsible authority examines whether a funded measure is appropriate for your particular circumstances. It can therefore be useful to prepare for your appointment and think carefully about what kind of support would genuinely help you. You can also read our guide on how to get an AVGS from the Jobcenter.
Questions you can consider include:
- What is my professional goal?
- What difficulties am I currently experiencing in my job search?
- What specific support do I need?
- What would I like to achieve through coaching?
- What realistic next steps could help me move forward?
What Happens During AVGS Job Coaching?
AVGS-funded coaching can be organised in different ways. A high-quality coaching programme should be based on the individual needs and professional situation of the participant.
This means that not everyone needs the same content. Someone who already knows exactly which type of job they want may mainly need support with applications, their CV and interview preparation. Another person may first need career orientation to determine which occupations, industries or qualifications are realistic options.
Typical Topics in Job Coaching
- reviewing previous professional experience,
- defining personal and professional goals,
- creating or improving a CV,
- preparing job applications,
- searching for suitable vacancies,
- preparing for job interviews,
- developing an individual application strategy,
- support with career changes and professional reorientation.
Depending on the programme, additional topics may also be included. These can involve online applications, the use of job portals, professional communication, preparation for conversations with employers or developing a more structured approach to the job search.
How Much Does AVGS Coaching Cost?
If a coaching programme is fully funded through a valid AVGS and all necessary requirements are met, participants generally do not have to pay the coaching costs themselves.
The approved training or coaching provider normally settles the costs directly with the responsible authority.
However, it is important that the selected programme matches the conditions stated on the voucher and that the provider and programme meet the relevant approval requirements.
Before starting a programme, you should therefore check that the AVGS can actually be used for the selected coaching offer. More information is available in our article How Much Does AVGS Coaching Cost? Funding Explained.
How Long Does AVGS Coaching Take?
The duration of AVGS coaching can vary considerably. It depends on the specific programme, the participant’s needs and the amount of support required.
A coaching programme may take place over several weeks and include regular appointments. The objective is not simply to complete a certain number of coaching hours, but to work systematically towards concrete professional goals.
If someone has been unemployed for a longer period or is planning a significant career change, several topics may need to be addressed gradually. Career orientation, application documents, job search strategy and interview preparation can therefore form different stages of the same coaching process.
AVGS and Job Coaching in Hamburg
There are many opportunities to participate in AVGS-funded coaching in Hamburg. For jobseekers, it can be useful to look for a provider that understands their individual situation rather than offering only a standardised programme.
Good coaching should focus on the participant’s actual professional goals, previous experience and current challenges.
When choosing a coaching provider, useful questions may include:
- Is the coaching individual or group-based?
- Which subjects are covered?
- How often do coaching sessions take place?
- How long does the programme last?
- Does the programme fit my professional goal?
- What practical support will I receive with my job search?
The right type of coaching depends on the individual. Some people benefit particularly from one-to-one coaching because it allows the coach to focus entirely on their personal situation. Others may benefit from a group setting and interaction with other participants. You can compare both approaches in our article Individual Coaching or Group Coaching: Which Is Right for You?.
What Is the Difference Between Coaching and Further Training?
Job coaching and professional training are not the same thing.
Further training usually focuses on acquiring new professional knowledge, technical skills or recognised qualifications. Coaching focuses more strongly on your individual employment situation, your strategy and the concrete steps required to reach your professional goals.
Both can be valuable, but they serve different purposes.
Coaching May Be Helpful If:
- you need career orientation,
- you want to improve your application strategy,
- you need support with your job search,
- you want to identify your professional strengths more clearly.
Further Training May Be Helpful If:
- you are missing specific professional skills,
- you need an additional qualification,
- you want to prepare for a new occupation,
- a particular certificate is required for the work you want to do.
In some situations, coaching can also be a useful first step before further training. It can help you identify which qualification would actually improve your employment opportunities instead of choosing a course without a clear professional goal. Our article Which Further Training Is Right for Me? explains how to choose a suitable qualification.
How Should I Prepare for an AVGS Appointment?
If you would like to discuss an AVGS with your Jobcenter or the Agentur für Arbeit, you should be prepared to explain why additional support could help you.
Instead of simply saying, “I would like coaching,” it is usually more useful to describe your current situation in concrete terms.
For example, think about the following questions:
- How long have you been looking for work?
- Which jobs have you already applied for?
- What responses have you received?
- What are your professional goals?
- What difficulties are you currently experiencing?
- What kind of support do you expect from coaching?
The more clearly you can explain your situation, the easier it is to understand how professional coaching could support your return to work.
It can also be useful to bring existing application documents, your current CV and information about jobs or professional areas you are interested in. This can make the conversation more specific and practical.
What Is the Role of the Coaching Provider?
Once you have received an AVGS, you can look for an appropriate approved coaching or training provider.
The provider should be able to explain clearly what the programme includes, how the coaching is organised, what goals it is designed to achieve and whether the programme matches the conditions of your voucher.
Before the programme begins, both the participant and the coach should understand what they want to achieve and how the coaching process will be structured.
Personal one-to-one coaching
We work individually on your professional situation, your goals and the next practical steps.
Support with your job search
We support you with job search, application documents and preparation for job interviews.
AVGS funding for your coaching
With an AVGS, individual coaching may be fully funded by the Jobcenter or Agentur für Arbeit.
Personal support at every step
From the first consultation to your next professional steps, you have a personal contact person.
A professional coaching provider should not simply follow the same programme with every participant. The content should reflect the person’s experience, skills, employment goals and individual barriers to entering the labour market.
AVGS as an Opportunity for a New Professional Start
An AVGS can offer an opportunity to approach your job search in a more structured and focused way. If you have been looking for suitable work for a long time, receiving professional feedback and an outside perspective can be particularly helpful.
Coaching can help you define your goals more clearly, improve your application documents, identify new professional opportunities and create a realistic plan for your next steps. You can find more information about the practical coaching process in our article Job Coaching in Hamburg: Who Can Benefit from It?.
At the same time, coaching cannot replace your own active participation. The best results are usually achieved when the participant and coach work together, regularly review progress and actively implement the agreed steps.
The Most Important Points at a Glance
- AVGS stands for Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein.
- An AVGS can fund certain coaching and employment-support programmes.
- The voucher may be issued by the Jobcenter or Agentur für Arbeit.
- An AVGS is not granted automatically.
- The programme should match your individual situation and professional goal.
- Job coaching can support career orientation, applications and the job search.
- With an approved funded programme, participants generally do not pay the coaching costs themselves.
Conclusion: What Is an AVGS?
The Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein is an instrument designed to support people who want to improve their employment opportunities in Germany. Depending on the individual situation, it can be used to fund professional support such as individual job coaching.
If you are looking for work and feel that you need support with career orientation, applications, interviews or your general job search strategy, it may be worth discussing the AVGS with your adviser at the Jobcenter or Agentur für Arbeit.
The decisive factor is always your individual situation. Effective job coaching should not follow a rigid standard programme. Instead, it should help you develop concrete, realistic and achievable steps towards employment.
Would you like to know what support may be available to you?
Simply complete the form. We will contact you personally, discuss your situation and explain which coaching, AVGS or professional support options may be suitable for you.