Being between jobs doesn’t mean you’re stuck. It means you have the space to figure out what you actually want next.
AVGS coaching online is a free, government-funded program for anyone registered as unemployed in Germany. You get matched with a professional coach who helps you build a plan, sharpen your job search, or launch a business. At no cost to you.
In this guide, we break down how AVGS coaching online works, who qualifies, and how to apply for the voucher.
Key Insights
- AVGS coaching online is a free, government-funded program for anyone registered as unemployed in Germany. The voucher covers the full cost.
- You can access job coaching or founder coaching depending on whether you want to find a new role or start a business.
- A full voucher typically covers between 10 to 60 sessions (45 minutes each) over 1 to 8 weeks. Your caseworker decides how many sessions you get.
- To qualify, you need to be registered at the Agentur für Arbeit or Jobcenter as unemployed and receiving unemployment benefits.
- The voucher is tied to a specific provider, so choose your provider or coach and submit a specific offer to your caseworker. Your provider must be AZAV-certified.
How Does AVGS Coaching Work?
AVGS coaching, short for Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein (Activation and Placement Voucher), is a government-funded voucher that covers the full cost of professional coaching for people registered as unemployed in Germany.
You sit with a professional coach who helps you design a structured process based on your specific situation, including career goals, upskilling, job search strategy, and mindset and confidence.
Who Is Suitable for AVGS Coaching Online?
AVGS coaching online is for anyone who is registered as unemployed or job-seeking in Germany and wants structured support to move forward in their career.
To qualify, you must be registered unemployed at your local Agentur für Arbeit or Jobcenter, unemployed for more than six weeks in the last three months, receive unemployment benefits (Arbeitslosengeld I or II), and not be enrolled in a different program already.
AVGS coaching online suits the following people:
-
- Recently unemployed people who feel overwhelmed and need structure, clarity, and a concrete plan to land their next role.
- Active job seekers who are applying but not getting results, and want to sharpen their CV, LinkedIn profile, and interview skills.
- Career changers who want to move into a new field but need help identifying transferable skills and mapping a career path.
- People registered with Deutsche Rentenversicherung as part of a rehabilitation program.
Types of AVGS Coaching
AVGS coaching is not a single program. Depending on where you are in your career right now, there are two different types of coaching you can access with your voucher.
Here is what each one covers:
Job Coaching
Job coaching is for people who are between roles and looking for their next opportunity. Sessions cover career orientation, goal setting, and understanding what you’re actually looking for.
It also covers the practical work like optimising your application documents, preparing for interviews, building your LinkedIn presence, and developing a job search strategy.
Founder Coaching
Founder coaching is for people who want to build a business or start a freelance career. Sessions cover market validation, business planning, financial forecasting, customer acquisition, and launch strategy.
How Long Are the AVGS Coaching Sessions
AVGS sessions run 45 minutes each and take place regularly over several weeks. The exact number of sessions depends on the voucher your caseworker issues, which can cover anywhere from 10 to 60 sessions.
For example, a full voucher often covers 60 sessions, which usually run across 8 weeks of coaching.
The first session is usually about getting to know each other and understanding where you are right now. Your coach will ask about your background, what’s been working, what hasn’t, and what you’re hoping to get out of coaching.
By the end of the program, you have a clearer picture of where you’re going and a concrete plan to get there.
Benefits of AVGS Coaching Online
Here are the benefits of AVGS Coaching Online:
It’s Completely Free
If you’re registered as unemployed in Germany, AVGS coaching online costs nothing. The voucher covers the full cost of your coaching program, so you get access to professional, personalised support.
Access Anywhere in Germany
Whether you’re in Berlin, a smaller city, or a town with no local coaching providers, you can access the same quality of coaching over video call.
Navigate Through Burnout
AVGS prevents burnout by giving you the space to slow down, understand what drained you, and figure out what kind of work genuinely energises you.
Reorient After Layoffs
Your coach helps you take stock of your skills, identify which industries value them, and map a career path that fits your lifestyle and personal goals.
Build a Long-Term Career Plan
Your coach works with you to map out where you want to be in the long term, what skills you need to get there, and how to build a career that fits your life.
How to Apply for AVGS Coaching Online
Here’s how you can apply AVGS coaching online:
Step 1: Register Yourself as Unemployed
You need to be registered as job-seeking or unemployed at your local Agentur für Arbeit or Jobcenter. You can do this online or in person.
Step 2: Request the AVGS Voucher from Your Caseworker
Tell your caseworker that you would like to use an AVGS voucher for career or founder coaching. They will assess your eligibility based on your situation.
Generally, you may qualify if you have been unemployed for more than six weeks in the last three months, are receiving unemployment benefits, or are at risk of unemployment.
Step 3: Look for a Coaching Provider
The voucher is only issued to a specific provider, so choose who you want to work with before your next caseworker appointment. A provider must be AZAV-certified, a German certification to accept AVGS vouchers.
The voucher is directly sent to your chosen provider. You don’t need to fill anything out as your provider handles the rest.
Start Your AVGS Coaching Online With Fired Up
We get it. Being unemployed in Germany is stressful enough without having to navigate the bureaucracy alone. That’s exactly why Fired Up Space exists.
Fired Up is a certified, Berlin-based AVGS coaching provider with over 80 coaches across HR, marketing, tech, and the creative industries. We work with people who are registered as job-seeking or unemployed at the Agentur für Arbeit or Jobcenter.
1:1 Personalised Coaching
You get matched with a coach who fits your career situation. We offer online job coaching and founder coaching in English or German. Your coach walks you through the full process, from figuring out your direction to landing the role or launching the business.
Online Learning Platform
Your full AVGS voucher also includes access to our self-learning platform. It covers eight topics built by recruiters: goal setting, job market research, LinkedIn, CV writing, networking, the application process, the recruitment process, and long-term career growth. If you do a founder coaching, it will cover topics such as financial planning, taxes, different corporate structures.
If you’re not sure which type of coaching is right for you, or you’re struggling to get your caseworker to issue the voucher, Book a free intro call with us.
