AVGS coaching: what it is and how to get it

The Activation and Placement Voucher (AVGS) is a form of funding from the employment agency and the Jobcenters. With it, they cover the cost of measures that support you in your job search. One of them is one-to-one coaching: you work with a coach on your career goal, for example on orientation, application documents or job interviews.

Payment does not go directly to the coach but to an AZAV-certified provider through which the measure is approved. You can find more about the voucher itself under The AVGS voucher explained.

For people who are registered as unemployed or as jobseekers with the employment agency or the Jobcenter. If you are still employed but have received notice of dismissal, you register as a jobseeker. These are some of the people who come to coaching with us:

• PhDs and academics on their way into industry
• IT professionals
• People who are new to Germany, on request also with coaching in English

With an approved voucher, the employment agency or the Jobcenter covers the cost in full. The coaching is then free of charge for you. Without a voucher, self-funded coaching is possible.

No. The voucher for coaching is a discretionary benefit: your caseworker decides. There is a legal entitlement only to a voucher for private job placement, not to one for coaching. A clear justification of why the coaching brings you closer to your goal improves your chances. The AVGS check shows you how good your conditions are.

1. Register as unemployed or as a jobseeker, online, by phone or in person.
2. Actively approach your caseworker and ask for an AVGS for one-to-one coaching. The voucher is not issued automatically.
3. Ask for „Einzelcoaching“ (one-to-one coaching) and „bundesweit“ (nationwide) to be stated on the voucher, so that online coaching is possible.
4. Pass the voucher on to your coach. Only start after written approval, because costs are not covered retroactively.

You can find sample wording in the step-by-step guide, and the whole process under How the coaching works.

You work with your coach online via video on your goal. Typical topics:

• Strengths analysis and career goals
• Application documents: CV, cover letter, LinkedIn
• Application strategy and target companies
• Job interview training
• Salary negotiation

30 to 60 teaching units of 45 minutes over 8 to 12 weeks is sensible. Which of these topics is covered and for how long depends on your goal and the scope of the voucher.

Ask for the reason and consider whether a second attempt with a clearer justification makes sense. What you can do is explained under AVGS rejected.

Our coaching is AVGS-eligible through an AZAV-certified provider. We take care of the provider. The coaching takes place online, nationwide, in German, English, Spanish or French. You can see who coaches with us on the Team page.