How a Bildungsgutschein can help you learn for free!
If you have been unemployed in Germany, you’ll be aware of Agentur für Arbeit- the job centre, and you may also know of a training voucher structure that is available- a Bildungsgutschein.
A Bildungsgutschein is a specialised training voucher which enables you to undertake a course at a certified educational institution for FREE!
It offers a fantastic opportunity to get employed, learn new skills and upskill to ultimately achieve a great job in a career that you have specifically trained for.
If you have been unemployed in Germany, you’ll be aware of Agentur für Arbeit- the job centre, and you may also know of a training voucher structure that is available- a Bildungsgutschein.
A Bildungsgutschein is a specialised training voucher which enables you to undertake a course at a certified educational institution for FREE!
It offers a fantastic opportunity to get employed, learn new skills and upskill to ultimately achieve a great job in a career that you have specifically trained for.
Here is everything you need to know about how to apply for a Bildungsgutschein
A Bildungsgutschein is given by the Agentur für Arbeit. This means that once you have been accepted onto your chosen course, the Agentur für Arbeit will pay for it and even more great news is that when you start working, you are not required to pay the cost back! Furthermore, while studying with a Bildungsgutschein you will also still receive any unemployment benefits you are eligible for.
This fantastic opportunity is to give jobseekers the chance to learn beneficial skills, which are currently highly sought after by employers.
Here is everything you need to know about how to apply for a Bildungsgutschein
A Bildungsgutschein is given by the Agentur für Arbeit. This means that once you have been accepted onto your chosen course, the Agentur für Arbeit will pay for it and even more great news is that when you start working, you are not required to pay the cost back! Furthermore, while studying with a Bildungsgutschein you will also still receive any unemployment benefits you are eligible for.
This fantastic opportunity is to give jobseekers the chance to learn beneficial skills, which are currently highly sought after by employers.
Can anyone obtain a Bildungsgutschein?
Your job centre will ultimately decide if you are eligible. But first and foremost, you need to be a resident of Germany and have completed the official registration process (Anmeldung in German). Then, you need to fulfil certain criteria- you may be eligible if any of the follow apply to you:
You are currently employed but facing the possibility of unemployment
You are currently unemployed and want to re-enter the job market
You require further training or retraining in the absence of a relevant vocational qualification
You have been or will soon be furloughed
Once you have obtained your Anmeldebescheinigung, which is proof you have completed the official registration process, and you believe you fit into the criteria above, you can visit your Agentur für Arbeit and apply for a Bildungsgutschein.
Can anyone obtain a Bildungsgutschein?
Your job centre will ultimately decide if you are eligible. But first and foremost, you need to be a resident of Germany and have completed the official registration process (Anmeldung in German). Then, you need to fulfil certain criteria- you may be eligible if any of the follow apply to you:
You are currently employed but facing the possibility of unemployment
You are currently unemployed and want to re-enter the job market
You require further training or retraining in the absence of a relevant vocational qualification
You have been or will soon be furloughed
Once you have obtained your Anmeldebescheinigung, which is proof you have completed the official registration process, and you believe you fit into the criteria above, you can visit your Agentur für Arbeit and apply for a Bildungsgutschein.
Find your local Agentur für Arbeit
It is easy to locate your nearest Agentur für Arbeit by doing a quick internet search, once you know your local branch, you can then schedule an appointment and from there you will be given an advisor who will be your point of contact moving forwards. You can find more information HERE!
Find your local Agentur für Arbeit
It is easy to locate your nearest Agentur für Arbeit by doing a quick internet search, once you know your local branch, you can then schedule an appointment and from there you will be given an advisor who will be your point of contact moving forwards. You can find more information HERE!
Your first appointment at Agentur für Arbeit
Arrive prepared to demonstrate to your advisor how a Bildungsgutschein will benefit you! You can tell them about the specific course you would like to complete, which shows forward thinking and organisation, and inform them about why the course appeals to you and ultimately determine why you should receive a Bildungsgutschein.
It can help if you have some background knowledge or experience in your chosen course, however this is not always necessary. If you don’t have any prior experience and you are wanting to learn something completely new, focus on how the course benefits will directly impact you and boost your career, why you want to enter a certain industry and explain how the industry is performing at present. If it is booming, there will be a demand for jobs! Explore into job statistics and job advertisements to show you have done your research.
Each course has a vocational identification number (Berufskennzahl in German, or BKZ) and a measure number (Maßnahmennummer) which you can get from the educational institution providing your chosen course which you can then share with your advisor. You can find all information about our subsidized course HERE!
Your first appointment at Agentur für Arbeit
Arrive prepared to demonstrate to your advisor how a Bildungsgutschein will benefit you! You can tell them about the specific course you would like to complete, which shows forward thinking and organisation, and inform them about why the course appeals to you and ultimately determine why you should receive a Bildungsgutschein.
It can help if you have some background knowledge or experience in your chosen course, however this is not always necessary. If you don’t have any prior experience and you are wanting to learn something completely new, focus on how the course benefits will directly impact you and boost your career, why you want to enter a certain industry and explain how the industry is performing at present. If it is booming, there will be a demand for jobs! Explore into job statistics and job advertisements to show you have done your research.
Each course has a vocational identification number (Berufskennzahl in German, or BKZ) and a measure number (Maßnahmennummer) which you can get from the educational institution providing your chosen course which you can then share with your advisor. You can find all information about our subsidized course HERE!
What else should you take with you?
An up-to-date copy of your CV
Proof of registration in Germany (Anmeldebescheinigung)
Some form of ID, such as your passport
Your Agentur für Arbeit advisor may not speak English, so if you don’t speak German, you may want to bring a translator with you
It is worth noting that although the Agentur für Arbeit is not legally obliged to grant you a Bildungsgutschein it is their task to get you back into the job market, so if you take notice of the advice above, you will be in good stead.
*Depending on COVID-19 restrictions, you may not be offered an in-person appointment- your advisor will inform you how to proceed if this is the case.
What else should you take with you?
An up-to-date copy of your CV
Proof of registration in Germany (Anmeldebescheinigung)
Some form of ID, such as your passport
Your Agentur für Arbeit advisor may not speak English, so if you don’t speak German, you may want to bring a translator with you
It is worth noting that although the Agentur für Arbeit is not legally obliged to grant you a Bildungsgutschein it is their task to get you back into the job market, so if you take notice of the advice above, you will be in good stead.
*Depending on COVID-19 restrictions, you may not be offered an in-person appointment- your advisor will inform you how to proceed if this is the case.
What courses are available?
There are approximately 400,000 courses to choose from with a lot of much variety!
You can search for relevant courses on KURSNET
Kursnet– an online database of all courses that can be taken using a Bildungsgutschein.
Click in the area of Weiterbildungsangebote
In the search area, enter a term, such as “Event planning” and in the location enter the city Munich
Click start search
OR YOU CAN DIRECTLY FIND OUR COURSE HERE!
What else should you take with you?
An up-to-date copy of your CV
Proof of registration in Germany (Anmeldebescheinigung)
Some form of ID, such as your passport
Your Agentur für Arbeit advisor may not speak English, so if you don’t speak German, you may want to bring a translator with you
It is worth noting that although the Agentur für Arbeit is not legally obliged to grant you a Bildungsgutschein it is their task to get you back into the job market, so if you take notice of the advice above, you will be in good stead.
*Depending on COVID-19 restrictions, you may not be offered an in-person appointment- your advisor will inform you how to proceed if this is the case.
How will a Bildungsgutschein assist you getting a job?
The scheme allows willing jobseekers to learn skills, either improving on your previous skill set, or embarking on new knowledge. Either way, it will enable you to enhance your career prospects to re-enter the job market.
If you’ve been out of work for a while and want to get back into your previous career, you could update your skillset. Or you could seek a complete career change!
In the Event Industry especially, there is an ever-growing demand for event planners, so learning skills specific to the industry is certainly going to make you more employable!
Here at the Event Experts Academy, we’ve partnered with the Agentur für Arbeit to make our Event Planning Expert course available to Bildungsgutschein holders. You will work on hands-on tasks and projects that will go towards your portfolio and receive tailored job coaching from our in-house career specialists; essentially everything you need to forge a new career path!
How will a Bildungsgutschein assist you getting a job?
The scheme allows willing jobseekers to learn skills, either improving on your previous skill set, or embarking on new knowledge. Either way, it will enable you to enhance your career prospects to re-enter the job market.
If you’ve been out of work for a while and want to get back into your previous career, you could update your skillset. Or you could seek a complete career change!
In the Event Industry especially, there is an ever-growing demand for event planners, so learning skills specific to the industry is certainly going to make you more employable!
Here at the Event Experts Academy, we’ve partnered with the Agentur für Arbeit to make our Event Planning Expert course available to Bildungsgutschein holders. You will work on hands-on tasks and projects that will go towards your portfolio and receive tailored job coaching from our in-house career specialists; essentially everything you need to forge a new career path!
What to do when you receive your Bildungsgutschein?
You will be required to send it to the educational institution delivering your course us. Once we have filled out the relevant information and it is completed, you’ll need to then take it back to your advisor at the Agentur für Arbeit.
Then you’re all set! That is everything you need to know about applying for a Bildungsgutschein and how it can help you learn for free!
If you’d like to learn more about taking a job center-subsidized course with Event Experts Academy, get in touch with our Bildungsgutschein career advisors here.
What to do when you receive your Bildungsgutschein?
You will be required to send it to the educational institution delivering your course us. Once we have filled out the relevant information and it is completed, you’ll need to then take it back to your advisor at the Agentur für Arbeit.
Then you’re all set! That is everything you need to know about applying for a Bildungsgutschein and how it can help you learn for free!
If you’d like to learn more about taking a job center-subsidized course with Event Experts Academy, get in touch with our Bildungsgutschein career advisors here.
If you are uncertain that this certification is ideal for you, or if you have any questions,
and one of our consultants will contact you soon
You can also contact us at:
+49 89 85636632
