Prosemester and vocational training phase
The training phase in the company lasts a total of 24 months. Of these, you spend 15 months at a time in the company right at the beginning in order to gain practical experience . During this time, you are in the so-called prosemester and are a trainee, i.e. you are not yet enrolled as a student. For this reason, special rules apply during the prosemester:
Compulsory attendance
Attendance is compulsory during the lectures and exercises of the prosemester (in August, January, May and August)! If you are unable to attend courses, you must inform your employer immediately.
The work completed during the training will be recognized for the degree course with 30 credits.
Report books
During the 24 months of training, you are obliged to keep a report booklet, which is a prerequisite for admission to the final examination. The report booklet can be requested from the address given in the download area and will be attached to the application for the final winegrowing examination.
The entries should provide key information about the training activities carried out, including the company, inter-company and prosemester instruction.
Attention! The report booklet should be submitted to the Chamber of Agriculture before a possible stay abroad in the 5th semester in order to ensure timely registration for the final examination.
Social insurance for dual study programs
Since January 1, 2012, participants in dual degree programs have been legally treated as equivalent to employees in vocational training and, as such, are uniformly subject to mandatory coverage under the statutory pension, health, long-term care, and unemployment insurance programs for the entire duration of the respective degree program.
Even during periods of study in which no wages are paid (starting from the first semester), you are subject to mandatory pension and unemployment insurance. Social security contributions are calculated based on a notional contribution assessment basis (1% of the monthly reference amount). The employer bears these contributions entirely, even if it is only responsible for part of the training. Individual agreements with the companies are therefore sometimes necessary.
Dual-track students are also subject to mandatory health and long-term care insurance during periods without pay. However, the contributions are paid at the same rate as those paid by students who are subject to mandatory insurance. The student is solely responsible for paying these premiums. If you are eligible for family coverage (through a parent, spouse, or domestic partner), you are not required to pay health and long-term care insurance premiums.
