Further and advanced training; applying for promotion funding

Purpose

The Upgrading Training Assistance Act (AFBG) is the counterpart to the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG) for upgrading vocational training. It takes into account the fact that those who are pre-qualified for vocational training are generally already "in the middle of life", in particular through supplements depending on their family situation, a higher asset exemption and funding without an age limit. It also provides financial support for the costs of measures (course and examination fees) and supports both full-time and part-time advanced training.

Object

Funding is provided for full-time and part-time advanced training courses offered by public and private providers that specifically prepare for public examinations under the Vocational Training Act, the Crafts Code or equivalent qualifications under federal or state law. Participation in full-time measures is generally funded for up to 24 calendar months, part-time measures for up to 48 calendar months (maximum funding period).

Under the AFBG, funding is provided for participation in further training measures offered by public or private providers that are specifically geared towards further training qualifications under public law on the basis of Sections 53 to 53d and 54 of the Vocational Training Act or Sections 42 to 42d, 42f, 45, 51a of the Crafts Code, e.g. Certified Professional Specialist, Bachelor Professional, Master Professional. Bankfachwirt(in), Industrie- oder Handwerksmeister(in), Techniker(in), or prepare for an equivalent qualification in accordance with federal or state regulations, for further training in accordance with the further training guidelines of the German Hospital Association or for further training on the basis of state-approved examination regulations at recognized supplementary schools.

In addition, funding is subject to certain time and quality requirements:

• The measure must comprise at least 400 teaching hours (minimum duration).
• In the case of full-time measures, there must generally be at least 25 teaching hours per week on 4 working days (full-time training density). Full-time training courses may not last longer than three years in total (maximum full-time time frame).
• In the case of part-time measures, the courses must comprise an average of at least 18 teaching hours per month (part-time training density). Part-time measures may not last longer than four years in total (maximum part-time time frame).
• This does not apply to measures,
• The part-time measures are eligible for funding if they include at least 200 teaching hours and are completed within 36 calendar months.
• Distance learning courses can be funded as part-time measures if they fulfill the general funding requirements of the AFBG and also meet the requirements of the Distance Learning Protection Act.
• Under certain conditions
• measures which are partly carried out using electronic media and which are not subject to approval as distance learning under the Distance Learning Protection Act (§ 4a AFBG), if they are supplemented by physical and virtual face-to-face teaching or comparable and binding media-based communication and regular performance reviews are carried out.

Type and amount

A contribution is made towards the costs of the course (measure contribution) and a contribution to cover maintenance requirements (maintenance contribution). The measure contribution includes course and examination fees (excluding material costs) up to EUR 15,000. Funding of 50% of the contribution to the measure is provided as a grant. The maintenance contribution is funded 100% as a grant.

Participants in full-time measures receive an income- and asset-dependent maintenance contribution plus, for single parents, 150 euros per child up to the age of 14 as a grant, plus a bank loan.

The group of eligible persons is defined in § 8 AFBG.

• The desired professional qualification must be above the level of a skilled worker, journeyman or assistant examination or a vocational school qualification. A completed initial training is therefore often a prerequisite for admission to the advanced training examination. Funding is not necessarily only available for the first advanced training course, but for all advanced training courses. Anyone who has already completed self-financed advanced training does not lose their entitlement to funding as a result.
• If a further training objective has already been funded under the AFBG, the preparation for a further further training objective is funded within the meaning of the AFBG if the further training objective pursued builds on the further training objective already achieved. This is particularly the case if a further training objective at the next further training level within the meaning of Section 53a of the Vocational Training Act or Section 42a of the Crafts Code is being pursued. Funding can be granted once at all three levels in succession if the further training objective being pursued builds on the training objective already achieved. This is particularly the case if a further training objective is aimed for at the next further training level (i.e. sequence DQR 5 - DQR 6 - DQR 7, but not first DQR 7 and then DQR 6).

Only courses offered by certified providers with a corresponding quality assurance system are eligible for funding.

The contribution to the measure must be applied for by the end of the measure or section of the measure at the latest. The maintenance contribution is paid from the beginning of the month in which the lessons actually start, but at the earliest from the beginning of the month of application.

• The number and type of documents required depends on personal circumstances and the type of training
  

  For example, the following documents may be required:

  • Information on income and assets
  • Declaration of the spouse/registered partner
  • Supplementary sheet for foreign nationals
  • Certificate of attendance at a training center / participation in a distance learning course / media-supported course
  • Proof of regular course attendance from an educational institution
  • Form for proof of actual material costs incurred for the master craftsman examination project / practical work
  • Confirmation of the admission requirements