There are many types of further vocational training For example, in-house further training courses can be offered or new knowledge can be acquired independently through external training. Part-time study is also a way for people to broaden their expertise and gain insights into new developments in the respective field.
Advanced training at the workplace
In this type of advanced training, employees are trained by an experienced colleague. One advantage is that questions and problems can be discussed immediately. This form of continuing education is also closely related to everyday professional life. The contents can include, for instance, the operation of a new computer programme or the right way to deal with customers.
Continuing vocational training
Continuing vocational training generally takes place during working hours. Seminar leaders teach new skills that can be applied directly in everyday work and thus prepare employees for new developments in the specialist areas.
In-house training courses are usually tailored specifically to the topics of the employees. The available offers depends on the respective industry. For example, the introduction to a new software or programming language can be taught. However, the range is wide. There may be courses on stress or conflict management, efficient organisation or learning English, among many others. The costs of in-company training are often borne by the employer.
Advanced training courses
Another option for further training are advanced training courses Advanced training courses are designed to enable participants to advance in their careers by helping them to expand their professional capabilities. In general, a distinction is made in Germany between advanced training courses with a final examination and advanced training courses without a final examination Further training qualifications that are completed with an examination are, for example, master craftsman, industrial foreman, business administrator (Fachwirt) or expert merchant (Fachkaufmann:frau)
Advanced training courses are specified in various laws and regulations. On the one hand, there are the advanced training courses at master craftsman level. These form the basis for qualifications such as certified vocational teacher, certified business economist according to the German Crafts Code and others. These further training courses are laid down in the Vocational Training Act (BBiG) and in the German Crafts Code(HwO). In the absence of statutory regulations for continuing education, the competent chambers can establish examination rules for the qualifications obtained through advanced training. This means: The exact form the final examination after the advanced training will take, its content, who is allowed to graduate, etc. is determined by the competent chamber.
You can find a wide range of information on career advancement, e.g. on further training opportunities in individual occupations, on the Career advancement webpage of the Federal Employment Agency.
You can find further information on advanced vocational training on the Advanced Vocational Training Assistance Act (Aufstiegs-BAföG) page of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.
The "Quality of Continuing Vocational Education and Training" checklist on the website of the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training provides information on funding opportunities for continuing vocational education and training.
The degree course
A degree course can also be completed while you are working. Distance learning is one way to do this. With this form of degree course, you only need to be physically present at the university on for a few days. Students receive the necessary materials from the distance learning school and work through the content on their own. In addition, modern media, such as the internet, are frequently used Part-time study supplements independent learning with seminars and courses in the evening or at weekends. Here you have the opportunity to talk to fellow students or ask the lecturer questions directly. As a rule, the prerequisite for such further education courses is what is called "Hochschulreife" (higher education entrance qualification). Depending on the degree, however, several years of relevant professional experience can also be credited.
Another option is to study part-time at a university or college. Here, the design of the degree course depends on the respective educational institution. Classes are mostly held at weekends or in concentrated block sessions.
Information on part-time studies and educational institutions in Saxony-Anhalt can be found at Teilzeitstudium Ostdeutschland [Part-time study in eastern Germany]: Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, Brandenburg, Berlin on the page "Nebenbei Studieren" [Part-time study].
Another way to find a suitable university course is offered by the website Hochschulkompass (Higher Education Compass) of the German Rectors' Conference.
Retraining
Retraining means professional reorientation. It refers to education or training for an activity other than the one previously practised or learned. Knowledge and experience from the previous job can be incorporated, allowing for a shorter training period for the new occupational profile compared to a beginner. Those interested in retraining must fulfil a number of conditions if they are to receive support.
One of the most important preconditions for support for retraining is that the possibility for employment in the learned occupation is no longer possible. The reason for this can be a health impairment or a lack of professional opportunities in the learned occupational field. The decisive factor for approval is that there is a risk of unemployment.
The applicant must be at least 18 years old. In addition, vocational training must have already taken place, which, however, does not necessarily have to have been completed. Funding is also possible if the applicant has dropped out or was unable to successfully complete it.
The Federal Employment Agency provides you with all the useful information you need on the subject of retraining on the webpage Changing Profession.