Imagine you’re at a crossroads in your career. Maybe you’ve been laid off, are feeling stuck, burned out, or quietly panicking that your LinkedIn headline says “Open to work” but you’re not even sure what you want anymore.
This is where AVGS career and founder coaching comes in – a German government-funded opportunity to get the personalised guidance and support you need, at no cost to you.
What does AVGS stand for?
AVGS is short for Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein. In English, that’s an Activation and Placement Voucher – but honestly, no one ever calls it that.
Here’s what you really need to know:
- It’s a voucher you can access via the Agentur für Arbeit or the Jobcenter.
- It pays for career coaching with an approved provider (so it’s completely free for you if you qualify).
- It’s designed to “activate”you: helping you take concrete steps towards employment, freelancing, or self-employment.
In simple terms: AVGS coaching in Germany helps you move forward when you’re feeling stuck.
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Who qualifies for AVGS coaching in Germany?
AVGS career and founder coaching is for anyone who is:
- ✅ Registered as unemployed or looking for work in Germany
- ✅ Receiving Arbeitslosengeld I (ALG I) or Arbeitslosengeld II (ALG II)
- ✅ At risk of unemployment (e.g., in a fixed-term contract ending soon)
If that’s you, you can request an AVGS voucher from your Jobcenter or Agentur für Arbeit agent to cover 100% of your coaching costs.
How does the AVGS voucher work?
Here’s the typical journey:
1. You realise you need support
Maybe you’re applying for jobs with zero motivation, thinking about freelancing, or simply feeling lost about what you want next.
2. You find a coaching provider
Fired Up offers AVGS coaching focused on career transitions and self-employment.
3. You request the AVGS voucher
You tell your Jobcenter or Agentur für Arbeit advisor that you’ve found a provider and would like to request an AVGS coaching voucher (Aktivierungsgutschein). Fired Up can help you draft a message to your caseworker.
4. Your voucher gets approved
Once it’s issued and the paperwork is completed, the coaching costs are covered. You don’t pay out of pocket.
5. You start your coaching sessions
Sessions can be 1:1 or in small groups, often online, focusing on your goals, mindset, plans, and concrete next steps.
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What topics does AVGS coaching cover?
The beauty of Germany’s AVGS career coaching is that it’s not a pre-written script. It’s tailored to you – your needs, your goals, and your questions at this exact moment. For some, that means identifying skills and strengths, mapping what drives them in their career, or crafting a job search strategy that feels aligned rather than scattershot.
Berlin-based Fired Up works with more than 70 experienced coaches across fields such as HR, tech, and the creative industries – guiding you through your next steps. With expertise in navigating German bureaucracy, the team provides both job and founder coaching and offers support in more than 20 languages.
Clara Hahn, Founder of Fired Up.
Many use their coaching time to explore freelancing or starting their own business, weighing what’s realistic versus what simply sounds exciting on paper. Others focus on practical preparation: brushing up on interview techniques, refining their CV or portfolio, or building confidence for roles just out of reach.
At its core, AVGS coaching is about building clarity, confidence, and a plan that feels right for you – not just ticking off tasks to please your Jobcenter advisor.
👉Find out more about AVGS job and founder coaching with Fired Up
Can AVGS coaching in Germany help with self-employment or freelancing?
Absolutely – and for many people, that’s the most valuable part. You might be wondering if freelancing could finally give you freedom and flexibility, or whether your business idea has legs to stand on. AVGS coaching offers a space to explore these questions without judgement.
Your coach can guide you through early ideation stages, help you understand whether the Gründungszuschuss (startup grant) is right for you, and walk you through the application process. Together, you’ll examine how to build a sustainable, inspiring business model and gain confidence to take those first steps.
Real story: Stephen’s experience with AVGS coaching at Fired Up
“Receiving Arbeitslosengeld, it seemed like a no-brainer opportunity for me to get the support of someone else. It’s not always easy as a foreigner to understand German bureaucracy. Even Germans have a hard time with it.
“So having a supportive network and a coach to break down these challenges made a huge difference. I feel more confident and empowered now – less doubting, more willing to face the hard questions because I know the rewards are worth it.”
– Stephen, transitioned from tech startups to starting his own business
How to apply for an AVGS coaching voucher in Germany
- Register as unemployed or seeking work with your local Agentur für Arbeit or Jobcenter.
- Find a coaching provider that aligns with your goals (like Fired Up).
- Contact your advisor and request an AVGS voucher for that specific coaching provider.
- Wait for approval – and start your coaching journey.
Is AVGS career and founder coaching worth it?
If you’re feeling directionless, burned out, or just need someone on your team, AVGS coaching is one of the most accessible ways to get personalised, professional support – at no cost to you.
Think about it this way: you wouldn’t try to climb a mountain without someone who knows the terrain. You wouldn’t build a house without an architect. Career transitions are no different.
Having a coach means you’re guided by someone who can see your strengths, blind spots, and pathways you might not have considered yet.
Or as Stephen says:
“We can do hard things in our lives, but sometimes it helps to have support from other people to figure out how to approach those hard things – and to realise that we can figure them out.”
So yes – AVGS coaching in Germany is worth it. Not just for clarity, but for confidence and the small, brave decisions it helps you make along the way.
👉 Learn more about AVGS coaching in Germany with Fired Up
👉 Find the perfect coach for you
Explore what’s possible when you have someone fully focused on helping you move forward.
