If you leave school in Germany and don't go to university, you usually do an apprenticeship (Ausbildung). This generally lasts 3 years, half of which you spend at a vocational school (Berufsschule) and the other half working in your training company. After the 3 years, if you are successful, you will have a vocational qualification (Berufsausbildung). During this time, you will earn between €520 and €1165 net, depending on which year of your apprenticeship you are in and which industry you work in. One disadvantage can be that if you work in a profession that is easy to learn, the companies will have someone working below the minimum wage.