Pupils who have completed lower secondary level and have reached the age of 15 can apply for an apprenticeship at a training company or (in some cases passing an entrance examination is required) enrol at a full-time vocational school. The training company decides on the selection procedure. In general, criteria for selecting a VET student include the student's performance in lower secondary level, the application documents and an interview. Various training companies also require applicants to pass an aptitude test.

Vocational education and training (VET) offers the following programmes:

Two-year vocational education and training VET programme with Federal VET Certificate
The two-year vocational education and training VET programme leading to a Federal VET Certificate offers adolescents with lower learning performance a federally recognised professional qualification. It prepares them for a less-demanding occupation.

Three- or four-year VET programme with Federal VET Diploma
The three- or four-year VET programme leading to a Federal VET Diploma provides training for work in a particular profession.