AVGS Coaching in Berlin

With an activation and placement voucher (Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein, AVGS) from the Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) or the Jobcenter, your coaching is free of charge. Job coaching and apprenticeship coaching take place on site in Berlin. Start-up coaching takes place online throughout Germany.

AZAV-accredited provider · Reg.-Nr. EPZ-25-15-T
Job & apprenticeship: on site in Berlin · Start-up: online
Book a free initial consultation See the three coaching programmes
Illustrative image: a coaching conversation

In brief

AVGS coaching is coaching that is paid for with an activation and placement voucher (Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein, AVGS) under § 45 SGB III. The voucher is issued by the Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) or the Jobcenter. IHQ Akademie is accredited for this under the AZAV (Reg.-Nr. EPZ-25-15-T) and offers three AVGS coaching programmes: job coaching and apprenticeship coaching on site in Berlin, start-up coaching online throughout Germany.

What is AVGS coaching?

AVGS coaching is coaching that is paid for with an activation and placement voucher (AVGS) under § 45 SGB III. The AVGS is a voucher for coaching, application training, activation and job placement. With it, the Employment Agency or the Jobcenter pays for your coaching with an accredited provider.

The voucher

AVGS stands for Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein (activation and placement voucher). The legal basis is § 45 SGB III.

Who issues it

The Employment Agency or the Jobcenter.

Who decides

Your employment adviser (Vermittlungsfachkraft), case by case. There is no legal right to an AVGS for coaching.

What you pay

Nothing for the coaching itself. The voucher covers the full cost of the measure; we bill the Employment Agency or the Jobcenter directly. Whether travel costs are also covered is something to clarify with your employment adviser.

How long it is valid

This is stated on the voucher. It can be limited in time and by region (§ 45 Abs. 4 SGB III).

Where you redeem it

You redeem an AVGS for coaching with an AZAV-accredited provider whose measure is approved. IHQ Akademie has the Reg.-Nr. EPZ-25-15-T.

Three AVGS coaching programmes at IHQ Akademie

All three are one-to-one (1:1) coaching programmes. Job coaching and apprenticeship coaching take place on site in Berlin. Start-up coaching takes place online.

Job coaching

On site in Berlin

1:1 support on your way into a job: CV and cover letter, interview training, job search strategies and applying via the internet.

  • Location: two locations in Berlin-Friedrichshain, all sessions on site
  • Languages: German, Arabic, Persian, Russian or Ukrainian
  • Duration: 40, 80, 120 or at most 160 teaching units (Unterrichtseinheiten, UE), in modules of 40 UE each
  • Measure: 962/187/25 “Bewerbungs- & Integrationscoaching”
  • Initial consultation: on site at Markgrafendamm 24/Haus 16 (45 minutes)

Who is it for? Job seekers, people returning to work, people reorienting their careers, refugees and people with a migration background.

Check measure number 962/187/25 with the Federal Employment Agency ↗

More about job coaching →

Book an initial consultation for job coaching

Apprenticeship coaching

On site in Berlin

1:1 support on your way into an apprenticeship: career orientation, application documents, interview training and help finding an apprenticeship place or an internship.

  • Location: two locations in Berlin-Friedrichshain, all sessions on site
  • Languages: German, Arabic, Persian, Russian or Ukrainian
  • Duration: 40, 80, 120 or at most 160 teaching units (Unterrichtseinheiten, UE), in modules of 40 UE each
  • Measure: 962/187/25, the same measure as job coaching
  • Initial consultation: on site at Markgrafendamm 24/Haus 16 (45 minutes)

Who is it for? Young people and young adults, school leavers, career changers, people who have left an apprenticeship early and people with a migration background.

Check measure number 962/187/25 with the Federal Employment Agency ↗

More about apprenticeship coaching →

Book an initial consultation for apprenticeship coaching

Start-up coaching (business coaching)

Online, throughout Germany

1:1 support on your way into self-employment: sharpening your business idea, business plan, financial planning, marketing and finding customers, legal basics and advice on funding options such as the start-up grant (Gründungszuschuss) or Einstiegsgeld.

  • Location: online only, via live video, throughout Germany, unless your AVGS is restricted to a region
  • Language: German, in simple and clear language
  • Duration: up to 80 UE, spread over several months
  • Measure: 962/189/25
  • Initial consultation: online (30 minutes) or on site at Markgrafendamm 24/Haus 16 (45 minutes)

Who is it for? People registered as job seekers who have a concrete business idea. Apply for the AVGS before you start your business.

Check measure number 962/189/25 with the Federal Employment Agency ↗

More about start-up coaching →

Book an initial consultation for start-up coaching

Not sure yet which coaching is right for you?

Book an appointment without choosing first
How it works

Four steps to your coaching

There are no fixed start dates. You can start at any time once your AVGS has been approved.

Free initial consultation

We clarify which coaching is right for you. The consultation is free of charge and non-binding. Bring your CV and, if you have one, your AVGS.

Apply for the AVGS

No AVGS yet? We fill in the application form together with you. You have to submit it yourself, to your employment adviser at the Jobcenter or at the Employment Agency.

Wait for approval

Your employment adviser decides. We do not start before approval, because a measure that started earlier is not paid for retroactively.

The coaching begins

With the approved AVGS, you start with us. We bill the Employment Agency or the Jobcenter directly.

Requirements

What you need

  • You are registered with the Employment Agency as looking for work or for an apprenticeship, even without receiving benefits, or you receive basic income support (Grundsicherungsgeld) from the Jobcenter.
  • You have an AVGS or are applying for one. The coaching only begins after approval.
  • You speak German at least at level A2. This applies to job coaching, apprenticeship coaching and start-up coaching.
  • Job coaching and apprenticeship coaching: you live in Berlin or the surrounding area, or the office responsible for you is located there.
  • Start-up coaching: you have a concrete business idea and apply for the AVGS before you start your business.

Language of the coaching

Job coaching and apprenticeship coaching are available in German, and also in Arabic, Persian, Russian or Ukrainian. Start-up coaching takes place in German.

The coaching language and the language requirement are two different things: even if your coaching takes place in Arabic, for example, you need German skills at least at level A2.

Where does the coaching take place?

Our two locations are in Berlin-Friedrichshain. Start-up coaching takes place online.

Scharnweberstraße 23, 10247 Berlin

Head office of IHQ Akademie. Job coaching and apprenticeship coaching take place here.

Markgrafendamm 24/Haus 16, 10245 Berlin

Job coaching and apprenticeship coaching take place here. Our advice centre is also here: we hold all on-site initial consultations at this address.

Online, throughout Germany

Start-up coaching takes place via live video. A headset and a stable internet connection are all you need. Whether your AVGS is restricted to a region is stated on the voucher.

Good to know

Social coaching is not AVGS coaching. It is holistic support (ganzheitliche Betreuung) under § 16k SGB II, is only available through the Jobcenter and is aimed at people who receive Grundsicherungsgeld.

More about social coaching →

Frequently asked questions about AVGS coaching

Short answers to common questions.

AVGS coaching is coaching that is paid for with an activation and placement voucher (Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein, AVGS). The legal basis is § 45 SGB III. The voucher is issued by the Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) or the Jobcenter. You redeem an AVGS for coaching with a provider that is accredited under the AZAV and whose measure is approved. IHQ Akademie offers three AVGS coaching programmes: job coaching and apprenticeship coaching on site in Berlin, start-up coaching online throughout Germany.

With an AVGS, you pay nothing for the coaching itself. The voucher covers the full cost of the measure, including follow-up sessions. As an AZAV-accredited provider (Reg.-Nr. EPZ-25-15-T), IHQ Akademie bills the Employment Agency or the Jobcenter directly. Whether travel costs are also covered is something to clarify with your employment adviser (Vermittlungsfachkraft).

You must be registered with the Employment Agency as looking for work or for an apprenticeship (this is also possible without receiving benefits), or receive Grundsicherungsgeld from the Jobcenter. In addition, there must be an integration need. You submit the application yourself to your employment adviser. We fill it in together with you. An AVGS for coaching is a discretionary benefit (Ermessensleistung): there is no legal right to it, and your employment adviser decides case by case.

That depends on the coaching. Job coaching and apprenticeship coaching take place on site in Berlin only, at our two locations in Friedrichshain: Scharnweberstraße 23 and Markgrafendamm 24/Haus 16. There are no video sessions for these. Start-up coaching takes place online only, via live video, and is available throughout Germany, unless your AVGS is restricted to a region. This is stated on the voucher.

All three coaching programmes are available in German. Job coaching and apprenticeship coaching are also available in Arabic, Persian, Russian or Ukrainian. Start-up coaching takes place in German only, in simple and clear language. Important: for all three coaching programmes you still need German skills at least at level A2.

Job coaching and apprenticeship coaching consist of up to four modules of 40 teaching units (Unterrichtseinheiten, UE) each, so 40, 80, 120 or at most 160 UE. Your employment adviser decides how many modules are approved. Start-up coaching comprises up to 80 UE, spread over several months. How long the voucher is valid is stated on the AVGS itself.

As soon as your AVGS has been approved. A measure that started earlier is not paid for retroactively. There are no fixed start dates; you can start at any time. If you already have an AVGS, bring it to the initial consultation.

Your AVGS, if you already have one, and your CV. For apprenticeship coaching, also your school reports; for start-up coaching, a short description of your business idea. In addition, the documents from the Jobcenter or the Employment Agency.

Guides on the AVGS

More about the voucher: applying, redeeming, providers and differences. The articles are in German.

Applying for the AVGS voucher

Who gets the AVGS and how the application works.

Redeeming the AVGS voucher

What happens after approval.

AVGS or education voucher (Bildungsgutschein): what is the difference?

Which voucher is for coaching and which is for further training.

AVGS providers in Germany: list of AZAV-certified providers 2026

How to recognise accredited providers.

AVGS start-up coaching & start-up advice

Start-up coaching with an AVGS: requirements and process.

Which companies near me offer AVGS placement measures?

How to find providers in your region.

All articles on the AVGS (in German) →

Arrange a free initial consultation

In the initial consultation, we clarify which coaching is right for you and how you can get an AVGS. You can book an appointment yourself if you are registered with the Employment Agency or the Jobcenter.

Not registered, or still have questions? Write to us via the contact page.

Book an appointment

Quick facts about AVGS coaching

  • IHQ Akademie is an AZAV-accredited provider (Reg.-Nr. EPZ-25-15-T, certification body EuropaNozert).
  • Job coaching and apprenticeship coaching (measure 962/187/25) take place on site in Berlin-Friedrichshain.
  • Start-up coaching (measure 962/189/25) takes place online and is available throughout Germany, unless the AVGS is restricted to a region.
  • With an AVGS (activation and placement voucher) from the Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) or the Jobcenter, the coaching is free of charge for participants.
  • Job coaching, apprenticeship coaching and start-up coaching require German skills at least at level A2.

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