German prostitutes are scrambling to sign up for classes that will train them to be nurses or telemarketers.

Reuters reports that 30 sex workers in the state of North-Rhine Westphalia are enrolled in the classes, which are so popular there is a waiting list.

Project co-ordinator Gisela Zohren says, "Competition in prostitution is fierce and the days when one could make a decent living out of it are long gone, especially once you hit the thirties."

She says prostitutes are not making enough money, adding that they can do well in the jobs offered at the church-funded training program.

Zohren says, "After years of prostitution, they know how to listen, look after people and are savvy in selling over the phone."