Information Platform for Continuing Professional Development in Information Sciences

Further training

Further training is a branch of vocational training that always builds on the profession previously practised or the training completed, and specifically deepens existing professional qualifications. The knowledge acquired in the profession learned is intended to be expanded and supplemented through further training. Further training is regulated by the Vocational Training Act.

Continuing education

Continuing education is characterised by the acquisition of new qualifications outside the profession in which the individual has been trained. In contrast to further training, the scope for professional activity is significantly expanded here.

The benefits of further training and professional development

In-service training and further training enable the acquisition of additional skills and qualifications in a professional context. These can help to achieve greater career progression following the successful completion of an in-service training or further training course. They also increase confidence in day-to-day work and facilitate valuable exchanges of experience and networking.

Furthermore, the decision to participate in further training or professional development should also be based on personal interests. Overall, they support the targeted development of one’s own qualifications and career.

Results from our survey: Why should I take part in further education or training?Click here to view the results of our survey.

We are regularly reminded by the works council, and also by our line managers, of our entitlement to further training and professional development. The HR department provides support with everything else. – Alumni Information and Data Management (BA)

In most cases, employees are entitled to five days of further training per calendar year. However, there is no general legal entitlement to this. It depends on the individual federal states whether educational leave, i.e. paid leave for further education and training, is granted. You can find more information on Berlin and Brandenburg at the Centre for Continuing Education at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam under Funding Opportunities.

Further training and professional development may be required by the employer. Employees can often provide a sound justification for further training or professional development that aligns with their career interests, meaning the employer will cover the costs. For the relevant employment relationship, collective agreements, employment contracts or company policies must be observed. Further training is based on a training contract. This sets out the start date, duration and termination conditions of the training arrangement. 

Working time arrangements: Participationin further training or professional development may take the form of time off work or time counted as working hours. Further training or professional development prescribed by the employer is considered working time. In the case of voluntary participation in further training or professional development, this does not count as working time. However, the employer may agree to count it as working time in such cases. It should be checked on a case-by-case basis whether provisions to this effect are set out in the employment contract or collective agreement. Time-off-in-lieu arrangements and adjusted remuneration terms do not generally apply to voluntary further training and professional development.

Further information on the legal framework.

“The educational leave course was a photography seminar. It proved extremely valuable in both practical and theoretical terms, as it provided a deep understanding of visual media. – Alumni Archival Studies (BA)   

Educational leave refers to the statutory entitlement of employees to paid leave from work to attend courses of further education and training that have received recognition.

The scope of educational leave is regulated by state laws; it is often 10 days within a two-year period. Salary continues to be paid during educational leave. However, the employee must pay for accommodation, meals, travel and the course. These costs are, however, tax-deductible. It should be noted, however, that not every further education or training course qualifies as educational leave. This must be checked on a case-by-case basis. 

What requirements do I need to meet?

To be eligible for educational leave, you need to be aware of the regulations in your own federal state. However, with the exception of Saxony and Bavaria, almost every employee in all federal states is entitled to take educational leave. The type of employment contract you have is irrelevant. In addition to traditional employees, students on dual study programmes and apprentices are also entitled to it. Only civil servants are subject to special provisions, which also vary by federal state. Furthermore, an informal application for educational leave must be submitted to the employer in advance. Prior communication with the employer is essential in order to avoid any potential issues.   

You can find tips on the topic of ‘educational leave’ atBildungsurlaub.de orBildungsurlauber.de.   

Results from our survey: What has been your experience with educational leave? Click here to view the results of our survey. 

Training courses are often very expensive, especially when travel and accommodation costs are added. – Library Science (BA)

As well as requiring time and new skills, further training and professional development also involve costs.

Costs: Further education and training courses range from affordable evening classes to expensive part-time Master’s programmes. Keep an eye on these costs: 

• Course or tuition fees (usually the largest expense)
• Examination fees (especially for certified programmes)
• Specialist literature and learning materials
• Travel costs and accommodation (for face-to-face modules)

Practical tip: Create a mini budget spreadsheet before you book, so you can see at a glance what costs are involved and where you might be eligible for funding. 

Results from our survey: Dealing with funding

My employer supported me by approving my educational leave and covering the costs of the training. They also arranged for cover so that my duties were taken care of whilst I was away. –Library Science (BA) alumnus

If you are in permanent employment, the most obvious funding options, apart from self-funding, are usually support from your employer or government grants, provided the course is relevant to your job.

Options for permanent staff:

•  Contribution/coverage by the employer: Many employers (including smaller archives/libraries) pay for further training in part or in full, especially if the course has a clear benefit for the role. Even if direct funding isn’t possible, it’s not unlikely that an employer will be cooperative in granting time off for course dates. This should always be clarified (in writing), e.g. as part of the annual performance review!
• Educational leave: Educational leave is definitely an option here.
• Partial grants / scholarships: For certain career paths or longer programmes, there are foundations and sector-specific funding schemes. It is particularly worth looking into these for Master’s programmes.

Important:

1. First check whether your employer pays (fully or partially).
2. If your employer does not pay: look into educational leave, foundations or formal funding programmes.
3. Clarify any questions regarding time off work in writing!

For Berlin and Brandenburg, you can find a detailed overview of funding opportunities at the FHP’s Centre for Continuing Education.

As an employee, you can generally claim the costs of further education and training that you have paid for yourself as income-related expenses on your tax return. This is subject to the course being clearly related to your current job.

Typical deductible costs:

• Course/tuition fees
• Specialist literature and learning materials
• Travel costs to attend face-to-face sessions
• Accommodation/meals for work-related training
• Examination fees
• Work equipment (e.g. laptop) — pro rata

Important:

• If costs are reimbursed by your employer, you cannot claim this amount as a tax deduction.
• In the case of partial reimbursement, only deduct your own contribution.
• Keep your receipts! Invoices, proof of payment, certificates of attendance and, where applicable, examination records should be kept in your tax file.

I set aside specific times for studying and relied on the support of my family and colleagues to balance my career, daily life and further education. Setting clear priorities and good time management were key to this. –Library Science (BA) alumna 

The challenge of balancing work and private life with further education and training can be overcome in various ways. Good childcare provision and a flexible working model, for example, are of enormous importance here. Online further education and training courses, as well as adaptable e-learning programmes, offer a major advantage. This enables professional development regardless of location. 

Further information on balancing further education and training with family life can be found, for example,on this page.

Online seminars are particularly important as they save participants time and money. –Archival Studies (BA)

The most common teaching formats for further and continuing education are:

• Face-to-face teaching: Boththe teacher and the learner are physically present together.
• Blended learning: Teaching and learningtake place both in person (on-site) and online. This combined teaching format is also referred to as hybrid or integrated learning. 
• Distance learning: The teacher and the learner are physically separated and interact asynchronously (not simultaneously). This allows for individual time management with monitored progress tracking. 
• E-learning: Learning takes place digitally, usually incorporating interactive or multimedia elements. The spectrum ranges from learning platforms to webinars. 

I prefer block-based face-to-face sessions to online self-study. – Alumni Information and Data Management (BA)

When deciding on the ‘right’ teaching format, the question arises as to what is prioritised: for example, self-management, reducing time and cost, interaction and exchange with other participants, or flexibility.