The AVGS is like a voucher or door opener that you receive from the Agentur für Arbeit or the Jobcenter so that you get support on your way back into work. Depending on the type of voucher, it funds job coaching, application coaching or private job placement.
The infographics on this page are in German, as are the official documents you will receive from the Agentur für Arbeit.
Job coaching, application coaching & job placement
AVGS stands for Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein, the German activation and placement voucher. It is issued by the Agentur für Arbeit or the Jobcenter and pays for support on your way back into work.
With an AVGS you can get help returning to employment, reorienting your career, improving your application documents or finding suitable positions. The measure is free of charge for you.
Coaching funded by an AVGS helps you gain clarity, improve applications and develop new professional perspectives. It takes place one to one, tailored to your situation.
The most common formats are job coaching, application coaching, career reorientation and support with returning to work after a longer break.
You apply for the voucher through your contact person at the Jobcenter or the Agentur für Arbeit. Ask for it directly — an entitlement often exists without being offered.
Your contact person decides whether a voucher fits your situation. I help you with the reasoning and the details needed, and after approval I bill the authority directly.
Most AVGS measures can take place online. That is practical if you want to stay flexible or are looking for a suitable coach anywhere in Germany.
What matters is that the provider is certified and that the measure fits your goal.
For coaching offers you will often see the term AVGS-MAT. It covers measures that support your integration into work, for example:
For career reorientation, returning to work, personal strategy and the path back into employment.
For your CV, cover letter, interview, application strategy and a modern application.
Individual support, tailored to your personal situation.
Providers and approved measures are listed in the official KURSNET database of the Agentur für Arbeit.
Besides coaching there is the placement voucher for private job placement. With it you receive support in searching and applying for jobs, up to and including the contract.
If you already hold a voucher, the next step is simply to submit it to a certified provider.
Once you have received your voucher, you submit it to a suitable provider. After it has been reviewed, we discuss which form of support fits you.
That can be job coaching, application coaching or private job placement.
The AVGS and the Bildungsgutschein (education voucher) are two different instruments.
The AVGS is mainly for coaching, application coaching and job placement. The Bildungsgutschein covers further training, retraining and qualification. Both can be issued by the Agentur für Arbeit or the Jobcenter.
The AVGS can be your door opener back into working life. What matters is that the support fits your personal situation.
If you want to know whether you can receive a voucher, speak to your contact person at the Agentur für Arbeit or the Jobcenter and ask specifically for an AVGS for coaching, application coaching or job placement.
