ABOUT THE FAIR
The Forum Berufsstart in Erfurt, founded in 1992, is the largest career orientation fair in Central Germany. It is aimed at pupils, high school graduates, training seekers, as well as people looking to continue their education or reorient themselves professionally. The fair is held annually between September and November, organized by the Erfurt Chamber of Industry and Commerce in cooperation with the Erfurt Chamber of Crafts and the Employment Agency of Central Thuringia. This partnership stands for quality, reliability, and a remarkably broad range of opportunities that reach far beyond the borders of Thuringia.
The venue is the modern exhibition center in the heart of Erfurt, easily accessible thanks to excellent transport connections. The exhibition hall is structured by industry sectors, allowing visitors to navigate the wide variety of offerings with ease. Attendees have direct access to companies, universities, craft businesses, public institutions, and international organizations presenting their training, study, and continuing education opportunities. The main focus lies on dual vocational training and dual study programs, offering concrete opportunities, practical phases, application options, and direct contact with HR representatives. Universities, colleges, and private education providers complement this with information on traditional degree programs, while regional, national, and international exhibitors present pathways ranging from internships and work & travel to au pair programs abroad.
A defining feature of the fair is its strong focus on practical support: application training, individual counseling by the employment agency, guidance on funding and scholarship opportunities, and even the chance to have professional application photos taken on-site. This makes the fair far more than just an information platform—it becomes an active springboard into the professional world.
The Forum Berufsstart positions itself as a central hub for direct exchange between young people, training companies, and educational institutions. It provides both orientation and concrete opportunities, bringing together the diversity of Thuringia’s training and study options while also expanding them with national and international perspectives. Visitors to the fair will find answers to their career questions and the chance to lay the foundation for their professional future right on the spot.
The Forum Berufsstart will take place on 2 days from Wednesday, 09. September to Thursday, 10. September 2026 in Erfurt.