Continuing vocational training is very important in Germany.

For many occupations, it is necessary to acquire further qualifications after basic job training.

Opportunities for further training

There are various qualification and further training possibilities:

•     Courses and seminars
•     Retraining programs
•     Study (distance learning, virtual study)
•     E-learning

The Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) is an important point of contact when it comes to your continuing vocational education and training.

Information and advice on vocational integration and continued training is also available from the "Integration through Qualification" (IQ) support programme.

Often employers themselves also offer further training. If you would like to take part, you should talk to your employer.

German for the job

If you would like to improve your German language skills for your job, the German courses for the job offered by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (ESF-BAMF programme) are of interest to you. These courses are aimed at people with a migration background who look for work or want to make progress in their profession. They combine German lessons, vocational qualification and internships.

The German Education Server provides an overview of continued training providers and offers in Germany.

The VHS Course Finder provides an overview of courses offered by 400 adult education centres in Germany.

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There are many opportunities in Germany to continue your education after school or university. Within the framework of so-called adult education (Erwachsenenbildung), you can acquire general qualifications or school-leaving qualifications. There are day or evening courses, but also lessons from home (e.g. "Telekolleg" or "Fernuniversität", distance learning institutes).

The Federal Employment Agency is an important point of contact when it comes to further training. You will also find institutes for training and further education in the telephone directory and in the "Yellow Pages".

Further training can take the form of:

• Language courses
• Internship placements
• Special integration courses for young adults

Adult education centres throughout Germany offer a wide range of further education courses - from language and computer courses to health programmes.

Links

•    German Education Server
•    Federal Employment Agency: KURSNET (in German)
•    Adult Education Center Association