In the dual system you split time between a Ausbildungsbetrieb and Berufsschule. You earn a training allowance, learn under a Ausbilder, and sit chamber exams. It suits people who want workplace rhythm early and can commit to a company’s schedule.
School-based vocational programmes put more hours in the classroom or workshop school. They can be the clearer route when company places are scarce in your trade or region, or when you need a structured foundation before entering a Betrieb.
Neither route is automatically “better.” Ask which certificate employers in your target trade respect, how placements are organised, and whether you can afford unpaid or lower-paid periods. A consultation often starts by listing those constraints before naming a Beruf.
If you are changing careers as an adult, also ask about Teilzeitausbildung and Umschulung variants. The paperwork differs, and so do funding conversations with public agencies.