There is no uniform school-system in Germany, due to the fact that Germany is made up of federal states. This means that moving from one federal state to the next can be very disrupting for pupils. Nevertheless, the various stages are the same in each federal state- which means that every child is obligated to spend nine years in school and all pupils spend the first four or six years together in primary school (Grundschule). After primary school, the pupils based on their academic performance, go on to either Junior High and Secondary Modern School (Haupt- und Realschule), or Secondary School (Gymnasium).

The majority of pupils finishing Junior High or Secondary Modern School go on to do a vocational-training course. In Germany this very often means working in a company, and going to vocational-college once or twice a week (Betriebliche Ausbildung - Duales System). The option of staying on at second-level and graduating from Secondary School leading onto third level education is also open to pupils of Junior High and Secondary Modern School, depending on their academic performance. Naturally the pupil who graduates from Secondary School has the most options open to him/her. The majority of Secondary School graduates go on to study. Increasingly there is a demand for third-level education combined with a practical side.

The pupils have various levels of prior knowledge of careers and education before coming to the fair. Almost all pupils in Germany have been on a class-excursion to their local Job Centre. As well as this, advisors from the Job Centre visit schools. Contact between pupils and the job world is diverse: every pupil takes part in a two to four week internship. In some federal states, pupils of Junior High and Secondary Modern School go and acquire practical experience in a company on a weekly basis. Secondary schools are less orientated towards practical job experience as they are more orientated towards achieving A-levels (Abitur) and going on to third level education. A Career Guidance teacher in every school provides information to third-level education and careers. Own initiative is also encouraged for senior Secondary School pupils, for example a visit to a careers fair like the EINSTIEG Abi.

Having a duration of thirteen years schooling is considered rather long in Germany, and due to this the German government is in the process of re-thinking the length of time pupils spend in school. As a result of this, the possibility of shortening the schooling from thirteen to twelve years nationwide seems quite likely. This has already been introduced to some schools, for example in the federal state of Thüringen and is also planned the federal states Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.