Financing & promotion of continuing vocational training

Are you looking for work or unemployed? Anyone who is registered with the employment agency or job center has the opportunity to receive further training free of charge. Simply ask your contact person at the employment agency or job center whether you can get an education voucher for your planned further training or retraining.

Employees can also receive the training voucher if certain requirements are met.

Would you like to know more about the requirements and how to apply for an education voucher? We have compiled everything you need to know about education vouchers on our advice page.

Our tip: Not every education provider is allowed to accept your education voucher. They can only do this if they are AZAV-certified – like GFN. This information is usually already available on the provider’s website. You can also search the Bundesagentur für Arbeit course network. Here you will find all educational institutions that have this certification and are allowed to redeem the education voucher.

Not sure in which direction you want to develop? Or which further training makes sense for you? Then maybe coaching will help you. In a one-to-one meeting with an experienced coach, you address open questions and problems and work out specific solutions.

If you have registered as a jobseeker or unemployed, you can have the individual coaching financed. You will need a so-called activation and placement voucher (AVGS) from the employment agency or job center. Employees can also receive an AVGS for coaching if they have individual problems.

The AVGS helps people to (re)enter working life. It can also be used to finance extra-occupational support after taking up employment. In addition to coaching, certain knowledge transfer measures, i.e. individual further training courses, are also eligible for AVGS funding.

Our tip: Speak openly to your advisor at the agency or job center about your need for support and an AVGS. You can redeem the voucher at AZAV-certified training providers such as GFN.

Are you looking for a good job after your service ends? The Bundeswehr Vocational Promotion Service (BFD) supports and accompanies temporary and career soldiers, as well as those doing voluntary military service, in their new start in the civilian world of work.

You can request and start further training or vocational training while you are still in the service. The BFD covers up to 100% of your training costs. However, the first step is to contact the BFD if you have a career goal in mind and seek advice. A career plan for the time afterwards will be worked out with you and you have the choice of which educational institution you would like to do your further training with – for example at GFN.

Our tip: All subsidized courses offered by AZAV-certified training providers are also accessible to former regular soldiers. Find out about your individual support and further training opportunities early on at BFD. At job and education fairs such as SOLDATA, you can talk to education providers and ask your questions. And our advisors are always happy to help.

Are you in a job but have not completed vocational training? Or would you like to build up new skills in the course of digitalization to secure your job? The employment agency promotes further training that really benefits you. This can be a qualification-oriented further training course such as retraining or a so-called adaptation qualification. The latter specifically prepares you for new challenges and technologies in the digital world of work. You can find out more on our page on the Qualification Opportunities Act.

If you complete retraining as part of vocational rehabilitation, this can be funded by German Pension Insurance. The aim of this support is to help you return to work or maintain your earning capacity in the event of a physical or mental illness or disability.

Preparatory courses for retraining or other further vocational training can also be funded. Find out about the requirements beforehand from the pension insurance provider responsible for you.

Our tip: To receive this type of funding, you must apply for vocational rehabilitation. You can obtain the forms from the statutory pension insurance or from your local regional advice center. It is best to seek advice from your statutory health insurance provider or the Federal Employment Agency beforehand.

Are you about to start retraining with an IHK qualification or are you already in the middle of it? Then secure your training bonus!

If you pass the intermediate examination or the extended final examination part 1, the employment agency or job center will pay you a motivation bonus of 1,000 euros. After passing the final exam, you will receive another 1,500 euros on top. Contact your advisor at the employment agency or job center with written proof such as your examination certificate – it’s worth it.

Our tip: Talk to your advisor as early as possible, as the agency needs a little time to check your documents. But then it usually happens very quickly – and your account is happy. Any questions? We answer all your questions on our page on the training bonus. And our advisors are of course always happy to provide you with information.

Do you only have a low income? Then you have the opportunity to apply for the so-called education bonus. With this financial support, you can take part in further vocational training and improve your chances in the world of work.

In order to benefit from the education bonus, you must work at least 15 hours per week or be on parental or care leave. Your taxable annual income must not exceed 20,000 euros. The further training must also be job-related: For example, if you work as a warehouse helper and train to become a warehouse specialist with the training premium, you have far better job and salary prospects.

The education bonus supports you either in the form of a bonus voucher of up to 500 euros or a savings voucher. This enables further training to be financed by means of capital-forming benefits in accordance with the Capital Formation Act. Both vouchers can also be combined with each other.

Our tip: You do not need your employer’s consent to apply for the bonus. All you have to do is make an appointment – free of charge for you – at one of the 530 counseling centers. Just Google “Bildungsprämie” – the advisors will be happy to help you.

Do you have the feeling that you need to brush up on your professional knowledge? In some regions there is an education voucher for this. Sometimes also called Quali-Scheck or Weiterbildungsscheck – depends on the region.

You can use this check to complete a so-called adaptation qualification . Makes sense if you are coming back from parental leave or have been ill for a long time – and run the risk of losing touch professionally. Your company will also benefit if it remains competitive by employing well-qualified staff.

Depending on the federal state, there are different requirements for receiving and the amount of further education funding. What you should know: The further training you are aiming for is not 100% funded. A personal contribution is necessary in any case.

Our tip: The education voucher is issued by authorized advice centers. These are available all over Germany, certainly also in your area – google it. Make an appointment by phone for a personal interview and ask in advance what documents you need to bring with you.