Job Start Up Exchange returns to Freiburg on 17–18 February 2027.
Dates
17–18 Feb 2027
City / country
Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
Venue
Messe Freiburg
Time
2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Event overview
Job Start Up Exchange, locally known as Job-Start-Börse Freiburg, runs 17–18 February 2027 at Messe Freiburg, alongside the Jobmesse Gesundheit & Pflege.
The free public careers fair puts school leavers, parents and career changers in front of more than 200 employers, chambers, vocational schools and training providers from the Freiburg region.
Wednesday runs 14:00–19:00 and Thursday 08:30–13:30, and entry is free on both days.
TL;DR
One free visit puts apprenticeships, dual study places, internships and vocational Weiterbildung under one roof. Visitors can compare employers from industry, retail, hospitality, skilled trades, IT, media and services, and speak directly to training managers instead of applying blind online.
Freiburg's school leavers, parents and career changers attend in one concentrated two-day window. A stand reaches candidates who are actively choosing a training path, while the co-located health fair brings nursing and clinical audiences that a general recruitment campaign misses.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
Messe Freiburg, Neuer Messplatz 1, 79108 Freiburg, Germany
Entrances & gates
Main entrance, Neuer Messplatz 1
Use the main foyer entrance for visitor registration, cloakroom and the exhibition halls; the 2026 health fair was in Halle 3.
On-site parking is available at the Messe Freiburg grounds off Neuer Messplatz; follow the P signs and allow extra time at opening.
The halls are step-free; tram and bus stops at Messe Freiburg are close to the main entrance. Contact the organiser in advance for a quiet room or sign-language support.
A staffed cloakroom is normally open in the entrance foyer; leave bulky bags and coats there before entering the halls.
Food options
Messe Freiburg catering points
On-site diningParking: Messe Freiburg has on-site parking around the exhibition halls; arrive early on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning because school groups peak at opening.
Gate: Use the main Messe Freiburg entrance at Neuer Messplatz 1; the 2026 Job-Start-Börse used three halls and the health fair was in Halle 3.
Attend
Event days & opening times
General admission
Free entry for all visitors; no ticket price is printed.
Ticket info
Badge collection
No badge or printed ticket is mentioned on the visitor page; walk-in entry is free. School groups should organise arrival with the organiser.
Ticket notes
Entry is free on both days. The visitor page does not print an advance registration requirement or a deadline.
What's on
Jobmesse Gesundheit & Pflege
Health and nursing careers fair in the same venue, with 29 exhibitors in Halle 3 at the 2026 edition.
Same dates and venue; included in the free entry.
WebsiteIndustrie- und Handelskammer Südlicher Oberrhein(IHK)
Regional chamber supporting the careers fair · Germany
Handwerkskammer Freiburg(HWK)
Skilled-trades chamber supporting the careers fair · Germany
Agentur für Arbeit Freiburg
Public employment agency supporting careers guidance · Germany
How the last edition performed
Last edition
2026
Exhibitors: 204
This edition
2027
Visitors: 17,000
Exhibitors: 210
Next edition
Not announced yet
Growth over time
Edition recap
The February 2026 edition filled three halls at Messe Freiburg with 204 exhibitors covering 258 training occupations, from industry and retail to hospitality, IT, media, services and skilled trades. The Jobmesse Gesundheit & Pflege ran alongside in Halle 3 with 29 health exhibitors, and entry was free for all visitors.
New this edition
Co-located health and nursing fair
The Jobmesse Gesundheit & Pflege runs in the same venue and on the same dates, adding nursing, clinical and care employers to the general careers offer.
SourceImpact
The fair concentrates regional apprenticeship demand into two days and three halls, making it the main February touchpoint for school leavers in the Breisgau. Its value comes from volume and locality: more than 200 employers and training providers in one free venue, with the health fair adding a second, nursing-focused audience.
Audience quality
The audience is mixed by design. Wednesday afternoon draws families and older career changers; Thursday morning brings organised school classes, so conversations are shorter but volume is higher. Exhibitors should staff both profiles and prepare one-minute and five-minute versions of their pitch.
Exhibitor outcomes
ROI depends on follow-up. A stand reaches local candidates who are already comparing training routes, but the fair is not a recruitment test: success is measured in qualified conversations, completed application cards and interviews booked within two weeks. Budget for a bilingual German-French stand presence near the Alsace border.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
Freiburg's employers face a shrinking pool of school leavers and growing competition from Basel and Stuttgart. The fair concentrates apprenticeship, dual-study and retraining offers in one free city venue, while the parallel health fair addresses the region's separate nursing shortage. For families, it is a low-risk way to compare routes; for employers, it is a direct route to motivated local candidates.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Demographic pressure on apprenticeship places
Fewer school leavers in Baden-Württemberg are meeting steady demand from employers, so firms increasingly use fairs and taster placements to reach candidates before they choose a route.
What it changes: Exhibitors are competing for the same local teenagers, not just for grades.
Healthcare recruitment runs on a separate track
Hospitals, care homes and clinics recruit nursing and clinical staff through dedicated health fairs because the qualification routes and application cycles differ from industrial apprenticeships.
What it changes: The co-located health fair widens the audience without diluting the general careers offer.
Career changers and Weiterbildung gain weight
Adults seeking retraining, part-time vocational qualifications or a switch into care and skilled trades now use careers fairs alongside school students.
What it changes: Exhibitors can fill vacancies that cannot be met from the school-leaver pipeline alone.
The February Freiburg fair is the main regional apprenticeship event; autumn career days and Stuttgart fairs serve later decision points.
Jobmesse Gesundheit & Pflege
Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
Runs in the same halls and on the same days; free entry.
websiteJobmesse Stuttgart
Stuttgart, Germany
Estimated spring dates; confirm with the organiser before booking travel.
websiteKarrieretag Freiburg
Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
Date follows the early-October 2026 edition pattern and is an estimate for 2027.
websiteFebruary 2027
Same venue and dates; one trip covers both fairs.
Spring 2027
Larger metro alternative for candidates who cannot reach Freiburg.
Autumn 2027
Follow-up event for candidates still undecided after February.
Co-located dates from the official visitor page and city listing; other circuit dates are planning estimates.
Plan your trip
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg
Closest international airport for Freiburg, with direct flights from several European hubs.
about 70 km
to venue
50–60 minutes by car or shuttle
by car
Zurich Airport
Larger long-haul gateway; direct trains connect Zurich to Freiburg in about 1 hour 45 minutes.
about 135 km
to venue
1 hour 45 minutes by train or car
by car
Frankfurt Airport
Useful for intercontinental connections; direct ICE trains run to Freiburg.
about 230 km
to venue
2 hours 15 minutes by high-speed train
by car
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
USD 85–115 / night
Simple rooms within a short tram ride of the venue; book 6–8 weeks ahead during fair week.
USD 140–195 / night
Walkable to the old town and a 10–15 minute tram ride to Messe Freiburg.
USD 235–330 / night
Full-service and boutique options close to restaurants and the cathedral; limited availability during fair week.
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Tram
Roughly 15–20 minutes including the walk to the entrance; buy at a ticket machine or in the VAG app.
Taxi / rideshare
Short metered trip; allow extra time on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning.
Plan your trip
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
| Type | Who needs it | Fee | Processing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schengen short-stay business visa (Type C) | Business visitors from countries without a Schengen visa-waiver agreement | $90.00 | typically 15 calendar days, longer in peak periods |
EU/EEA and many visa-waiver nationals can enter Germany without a visa for short business visits; check the German foreign ministry list for your passport.
Germany accepts ATA carnets for temporary admission of exhibition goods; list all display items and carry the carnet with the freight documents.
Official visa pageWeather
February is late winter in Freiburg: daytime highs of about 4–9°C, overnight lows near 0°C, and a mix of rain, sleet and occasional snow. Pack a waterproof coat and shoes for the tram and hall walkways.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Mobile coverage is good across the city and halls. Public venue Wi-Fi is not advertised, so exhibitors should bring a mobile hotspot for lead-capture devices.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
German is the working language
Most stands and school groups operate in German. A bilingual German-English speaker helps with international visitors, and French is useful because Alsace is close.
Sunday closing
Most shops in Freiburg close on Sundays. Arrive a day early if you need supplies, and book restaurant tables for Wednesday evening in advance.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg (BSL)
Book 6–10 weeks ahead for February; Basel and Zurich fares rise during school holidays. Allow 50–90 minutes from either airport to Messe Freiburg.
Book flightsGet to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: From Basel EuroAirport, take the shuttle or train to Freiburg Hauptbahnhof, then tram line 4 to Messe Freiburg. From Zurich, take a direct train to Freiburg (about 1 hour 45 minutes).
Hotel → venue: Tram line 4 reaches Messe Freiburg from the Hauptbahnhof and city centre; allow 20 minutes door to door.
Ride-hail: Taxis and rideshare are available from the station and city centre; a trip to the venue costs roughly €15–22.
Public transit: VAG trams and buses serve the Messe Freiburg stop; a single ticket is about €3.10 and a day pass is better value for multiple trips.
Parking: On-site parking is available at the Messe grounds; arrive early because school groups fill the car park at opening.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: February
Temperature: 0–9°C
Seasonality: Mixed rain, sleet and occasional snow; February is one of the wetter winter months.
Packing: Waterproof coat, warm layers, comfortable shoes and an umbrella; halls are heated but the walk from the tram is exposed.
Plan your trip
Best day to visit: Wednesday 17 February 2027
Wednesday runs five hours from 14:00 to 19:00, giving more time for detailed conversations than Thursday’s 08:30–13:30 window. Thursday morning is busy with organised school classes, so candidates who want unhurried talks should come on Wednesday afternoon.
Shortlist exhibitors and training routes — Use the exhibitor list to pick 8–10 stands and note the qualifications each offers.
Update CV and prepare a 60-second introduction — Bring 10 printed CVs and a digital copy for application portals.
Plan travel and check opening hours — Wednesday 14:00–19:00, Thursday 08:30–13:30; buy tram tickets in advance if possible.
Prepare questions for training managers — Ask about start dates, school days, pay, progression and the application process.
Pack documents and charge devices — Bring ID, CVs, a notebook, power bank and a waterproof bag for the walk from the tram.
Arrive, collect a floor plan and leave coats at the cloakroom
Messe Freiburg main foyerVisit five target apprenticeship stands
Halls 1–3Attend a careers forum session and compare dual-study options
Forum areaReturn to the strongest stands for detailed questions
Exhibitor hallsFreiburg Münster and Altstadt
City Walk
20 minutes by tram from the venue
See the cathedral, historic merchants’ houses and the Bächle canals after the fair closes.
Titisee and the southern Black Forest
Half-Day Nature Trip
45 minutes by train from Freiburg
A lake walk and forest views make a quiet recovery day after two days on the show floor.
Messe foyer coffee counter
Venue networking
The main foyer is the easiest place to meet exhibitors between school-group waves.
Augustinerplatz
City networking
Central square with cafés and bars, about 15 minutes by tram from the venue; good for evening debriefs.
Freiburg employers typically shortlist after the fair week, so speed matters more than a polished follow-up pack. A brief, specific message that references the stand conversation outperforms a generic application.
Budget
Shell scheme
EUR 180–260 / m²
Raw space
EUR 95–140 / m²
Standard booth
9 m²
No 2027 stand tariff was printed on the pages reviewed. Bands are planning estimates for a regional German careers fair and exclude VAT, registration fees and stand build.
sourceAdjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
Shell scheme stand
exhibitor · 9 sqm
EUR 1620–2340 / per stand
Hotel
both · mid
EUR 140–195 / per night
Per diem
both · standard
EUR 55–80 / per day
Schengen visa
visitor · standard
EUR 90 / per application
Travel insurance
both · standard
EUR 60–150 / per trip
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shell scheme stand | exhibitor | 9 sqm | EUR 1620–2340 / per stand | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| Hotel | both | mid | EUR 140–195 / per night | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| Per diem | both | standard | EUR 55–80 / per day | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| Schengen visa | visitor | standard | EUR 90 / per application | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| Travel insurance | both | standard | EUR 60–150 / per trip | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
Decision
Six quick questions will point you to visit, exhibit or skip.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What is your main reason for attending?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
You want to meet several employers and compare apprenticeship, study and retraining options before deciding.
Best for
School students, parents, career changers and advisers comparing training routes
Min. budget
$30.00
Timeline
2–4 hours on 17 or 18 February 2027
Risks
Thursday morning is crowded with school groups
Some employers only take applications online
exhibit
You have open apprenticeship, dual-study or nursing roles and can staff a German-speaking stand for both days.
Best for
Regional employers, chambers, vocational schools and health providers with open places
Min. budget
$2,500.00
Timeline
Book 8–12 weeks ahead; prepare stand and follow-up rota
Risks
Stand costs are estimates until the 2027 tariff is published
Lead quality depends on staff preparation and fast follow-up
skip
Your organisation does not hire trainees or staff in Germany and does not sell to training providers.
Best for
Buyers outside vocational training, recruitment or education
Timeline
Not applicable
Risks
Missing a regional talent pipeline if you recruit in Breisgau
No trade-only buyer audience
Book with
Messe Freiburg / FWTM
Freiburg’s exhibition centre and the organiser of the city’s careers fairs at Neuer Messplatz 1.
Venue and organiser named in the city listing; commercial partnership not implied.
Deutsche Bahn
National rail operator with direct services to Freiburg Hauptbahnhof and onward tram connections to the venue.
Useful public transport resource; not an official event sponsor.
IHK Südlicher Oberrhein
Regional chamber for industry and commerce, supporting careers guidance and dual-training links in southern Baden.
Named among the fair’s supporting organisations; no commercial partnership implied.
Handwerkskammer Freiburg
Chamber representing craft businesses and apprenticeship training across the Freiburg region.
Named among the fair’s supporting organisations; no commercial partnership implied.
Recommended providers
Check the Schengen visa list and book an appointment at the responsible German mission.
Compare refundable rates in Stühlinger and the city centre; fair-week prices rise early.
Book flights to Basel or Zurich, then train to Freiburg; fares are estimates.
Request an exhibition freight quote and confirm the Messe Freiburg loading slot.
Choose a policy covering trade-fair travel, public liability and medical costs.
Official city tourism ideas for the Münster, Altstadt and Black Forest day trips.
Mobile lead capture with CSV export; test it offline before the show.
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
6 more alternate names hidden
Trust footer
2
References
2
Publishers
2
Date checked
FWTM / Jobmesse Gesundheit & Pflege
Stadt Freiburg
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