Ready for an apprenticeship? Here's how to get started...

The first step is to register with ADEM’s Career Guidance Service (ADEM-OP), which centralizes offers and requests for apprenticeships.  

• The ADEM-OP informs you about the different trades and professions and their access conditions. 
• Contact the companies that are recruiting thanks to the addresses provided by ADEM-OP. 
•  Have job interviews. 
• The company willing to train you informs ADEM-OP. 
• After checking that the company has the right to train, the ADEM-OP gives the green light to the competent employers’ chamber to draw up the apprenticeship contract. 
• The model apprenticeship contract is sent to the company and must be signed by you and your employer/trainer and returned to the competent employers’ association. 
• After signing the contract, you can start your training in the company. 
• From September 1st you have to enroll in one of the following high schools that offer the training 

(Last updated on 20.04.2021)

What are the advantages of a vocational training under an apprenticeship contract?

There are many benefits for apprentices.  Vocational training under an apprenticeship contract allows apprentices to learn a trade/profession while receiving an allowance. (In addition to the apprenticeship allowance, the state grants a bonus to the apprentice for each year of “successful” training). This first contact with the professional world allows the apprentice to obtain an officially recognized diploma and to progress within a company. 

The holder of a DAP (Diploma of Professional Aptitude) and a DT (Technician’s Diploma) is entitled to the minimum social wage for qualified persons (minimum social wage + 20%) (see Social Parameters) when working in this trade/occupation. 

The holder of a CCP (Certificate of Professional Competence) is also entitled to the minimum social wage for qualified persons (minimum social wage + 20%) after at least two years of practice in the trade/occupation in which the diploma is issued. 

(Last updated 20.04.2021)

How does a typical apprenticeship training program work?

The majority of DAP and DT courses and all CCP courses are organized as apprenticeships. 

The young person concludes an apprenticeship contract with a company and divides his time between the school and the training organization. And his apprenticeship time is divided between school and the training organization. Thus, he regularly spends some days of the week in the classroom and others in the workplace. 

For some professions, school education and on-the-job training take place in blocks (several consecutive weeks at the school followed by several consecutive weeks in the company). This is known as a block period system. 

The respective professions are listed in our brochure “My rights and duties as an apprentice“. 

(Last updated on 20.11.2023)

Which trades / professions are organized under an apprenticeship contract?

Here is a list of trades/occupations organized under an apprenticeship contract.

(Last updated on 20.11.2023)

What are the rights and obligations of an apprentice?

This publication is intended for apprentices, their parents and their company tutors and provides information on: 

• working hours; 
• compensation; 
• the specificities of adult and cross-border apprenticeships;
• …

Download the brochure

(Last updated on 20.11.2023)

Who should the apprentice talk to during their apprenticeship?

The apprenticeship advisor is the first point of contact for all questions concerning an apprenticeship. 

He or she is available to the apprentice for any questions related to the apprenticeship, such as difficulties or irregularities encountered. 

(Last updated on 19.10.2021)

What about adult education?

Adult apprenticeship allows approximately 400 adults to begin vocational training under an apprenticeship contract each year, with a view to obtaining a CCP (certificate of professional competence), a DAP (diploma of professional aptitude) or a DT (technician’s diploma). 

This scheme is aimed at adults with a work contract and job seekers who wish to obtain an official diploma through vocational training. 

The practical training is acquired in a company authorized to train apprentices. The school training is done at the same time as the initial training and always during the day. 

The organization of the training (weekly or periodical alternation) varies according to the trade/occupation. 

The adult apprentice is entitled to the social minimum wage (SSM) (see Social parameters) during his or her training. In addition, the state pays the apprentice an apprenticeship bonus for each “successful” year of training, which amounts to 130 euros per month of training for CCP courses and 150 euros per month of training for DAP and DT courses. 

The balance between the SSM and the legally fixed apprenticeship allowance is reimbursed by the state to the employer-trainer. 

In addition, the Employment Fund reimburses the employer’s share of the social security contributions related to the apprenticeship fee paid to the apprentice and pays apprenticeship promotion aids equal to 27% of the apprenticeship fee for DT and DAP level training and equal to 40% of the apprenticeship fee for CCP level training. 

To be admitted to adult learning, you must: 

• be at least 18 years old on September 1st of the year of registration; 
• no longer be under the initial school system or under an apprenticeship contract in initial training for at least 1 year; 
• have been affiliated to the Centre commun de la sécurité sociale (CCSS) for at least 12 months, continuous or not, for at least 16 hours per week; 
• meet the same academic requirements for access as those for the initial apprenticeship and have the required language skills. 

A waiver of the school-leaving clause may be granted to: 

• to persons holding a CCP who wish to acquire a DAP in the same specialty; 
• to persons holding a DAP who wish to acquire a DT in the same specialty; 

A commission decides on the access and admission of candidates based on their files. Decisions are communicated to candidates by mail. In case of a positive decision, the candidate is authorized to conclude an apprenticeship contract between July 16th at the earliest and November 1st of the apprenticeship year at the latest. 

Supervision is provided by: 

• the company with which your apprenticeship contract is concluded; 
• the apprenticeship advisors of the various professional chambers; 
• the teaching and socio-educational staff of the technical high schools or the national center for continuing vocational training (CNFPC). 

Persons wishing to begin such training must make an appointment with the ADEM Career Guidance Service. 

(Last updated on 19.10.2021)

What about cross-border learning?

Cross-border apprenticeships can only be carried out in the trades/occupations listed in the Grand Ducal regulation establishing the list of trades/occupations. 

• All candidates must submit a written request to the MENJE – Service de la formation professionnelle, giving the following information: 

• • the surname, first name and address of the apprentice; 
  • the surname, first name, profession and domicile of the employer; in the case of a legal entity, the name and registered office; 
  • the name and address of the educational institution where the apprentice will attend theoretical courses; 
  • the name of the trade/occupation in which the apprentice will be trained; 
  • the training program; 
  • registration at the school. 

If any costs are incurred during cross-border apprenticeship, the department must be informed prior to the start of the training with supporting documentation. 

• All apprenticeship vacancies must be declared by the training company to the Vocational Guidance Department (OP) of the Employment Development Agency (ADEM) using the form “Declaration of apprenticeship vacancy” available on the ADEM website. 
• The PO and the competent professional chambers inform the MENJE’s Vocational Training Department of their opinion regarding the application for a cross-border apprenticeship. 
• Every candidate must go to the OP-ADEM service in Luxembourg-City (April to October) with the following supporting documents: 

• • identity card/passport; 
  • national registration number; 
  • authorization from the Ministry of National Education, Children and Youth. 

Apprenticeship contracts are concluded between July 16 and November 1 of a year. 

(Last updated on 20.04.2021)

What about apprenticeship benefits?

Apprentices in training leading to a Technician’s Diploma (TD) or Vocational Aptitude Diploma (DAP) are entitled to an apprenticeship allowance that varies according to the trade or occupation chosen. 

Successful completion of the Intermediate Integrated Project entitles the apprentice to a higher allowance, which is due on the first day of the month following notification of successful completion to the apprentice and the company. 

Apprentices engaged in training leading to the Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) are entitled to an apprenticeship allowance, the amount of which varies with the year of apprenticeship. 

The following are the minimum gross apprenticeship allowances per month (index 921.40 effective April 1, 2023): 

• Courses leading to the Technician Diploma – DT
• Courses leading to the Professional Aptitude Diploma – DAP
• Courses leading to the Certificate of Professional Competence – CCP
• Courses that are only offered as cross-border apprenticeships
• Courses that are offered as cross-border apprenticeships under the provisions of the IGC

(Last updated on 01.04.2023)