Job Upgrade - The certificate programme
Job qualification next level: The Work@Heart certificate programme increases students' chances of successfully starting a career - flexibly, sustainably and parallel to their studies.
What is the certificate programme?
The workshops and offers of the certificate programme are an interdisciplinary additional qualification alongside the course content of the departments. The content imparts skills that are in demand in the world of work now and in the future and enables networking with employers in Brandenburg. The certificate is recognised by companies as proof of knowledge and is an advantage for job applications.
Job Upgrade participants can develop in-depth skills in one or each of the four focus areas:
- Perspectives on sustainability
- Digital world of work
- Intercultural competences
- Diversity & self-care
The certificate programme is accompanied by networking events, career talks, job shadowing and students on tour formats, which provide valuable contacts to potential employers and companies in Brandenburg.
Structure, procedure and credit allocation
Over the course of two semesters, participants gain deeper insights into their chosen specialisation, attend tailored workshops and build a lasting network. There are four specialisations to choose from. Participants can complete one or all four Job Upgrades and receive 3 ECTS credits for each certificate. A maximum of 12 ECTS credits can be earned.
Credit Recognition for the Certificate Programme
To receive a certificate and 3 ECTS credits for the relevant Job Upgrade, the following requirements must be met:
- 3 specialist workshops in the relevant Job Upgrade
- 1 seminar on leadership skills
- 1 job shadowing session
- Participation in the optional Career Talk or Students on Tour events
- Attendance at the kick-off and closing events, including the certificate award ceremony
The Job Upgrade can be combined with the care4career career guidance programme and extended by 2 ECTS credits.
Perspectives on sustainability
As part of three workshops, the participants will take an interdisciplinary look at current and future sustainability issues and learn how to develop their own measures for sustainable working in a company.
1st workshop "Sustainability as a social challenge" in cooperation with the Virtual Academy for Sustainability at the University of Bremen
- 12 free, freely selectable self-study courses in video format
- online: can be attended flexibly in terms of time and location, completion via e-exam
- Open to all students and other university members, including those outside the certificate programme
2nd workshop "Sustainable Management" organised by the Central Academic Institution for Start-up Services and Management Qualifications (ZEGM)
- Sustainable behaviour of companies and instruments for sustainable resource management
3rd workshop "Education for Sustainable Development" (ESD) from the Department of Social and Educational Sciences
- Empowering people to think and act sustainably and enabling successful ESD in a business environment
Digital transformation
The "Digital Transformation" workshop series enables participants to actively shape the digital development and reorganisation of companies in order to make them future-proof.
1st workshop "Data Science and Digital Literacy" from the Department of Information Sciences
- Professional handling of digital media, basics of data collection, methods and processes of data utilisation
2nd workshop "Digital Management" organised by the Central Academic Institution for Start-up Services and Management Qualifications (ZEGM)
- Successful organisation of digital change in companies as well as concepts, approaches and methods (e.g. agile project management) for operational development
3rd workshop "Digital law and data protection" with external experts
- Basics of GDPR, information and IT security, legal implications of digital change in a company and orientation for concrete implementation measures in practice
Internationalisation & intercultural competence
The programme qualifies participants for internationally oriented companies in Brandenburg, for cooperation in international projects or intercultural teams in Germany and abroad.
1st workshop "Intercultural Competence" from the International Office
- Action and conflict resolution skills as well as tools for discrimination-sensitive communication
2nd workshop "Dimensions of internationalisation in business" presented by ZEGM
- Measurability of the degree of internationalisation of companies and profitable use of economic and cultural characteristics
3. compulsory part with options
- Study-related stay abroad (min. 4 weeks) with creditable study visits, internships or specialised excursions
- Language course (at least 30 teaching units): e.g. at the adult education centre in the Bildungsforum (VHS) Potsdam/at the FHP
Diversity & self care
The thematically diverse workshops provide participants with fundamental methods and basic knowledge to create an inclusive, positive and productive working environment in the company and/or in the team.
The following possible focal points will be addressed in the three planned workshops:
- Conflict management, non-violent communication
- Self and time management
- Equal opportunities, gender equality, advancement of women
- Anti-discrimination, behaviour in the event of bullying
Questions and answers
Dates
More eventsLaunch event and certificate presentation, October 2025
On the 15th October 2025, the first cohort of graduates from the Job Upgrade certificate programme received their certificates. At the same time, the new participants began the programme. All those present were able to gain an insight into the workshops and activities offered by Job Upgrade through the testimonial given by student Marlene Hoffmann. A total of 31 students enrolled in the second intake of the Job Upgrade programme for one or more of the four key topics.
Contact us
Entrepreneurship School and Centre for Management Qualifications Services
Administration & Support
Funding information
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Europäische Union und Europäischer Sozialfonds Plus (ESF+) / Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Arbeit und Energie des Landes Brandenburg
