Further training - on the road to success with more knowledge

Further education, continuing education, lifelong learning, adult education – there are many terms. But what is hidden behind them? What does it mean to learn today, when schooldays are long gone? Why is it important to continue one’s education in today’s world? Are career opportunities increasing? Is the income increasing? Is it possible to realize oneself? At least, such prospects are regularly advertised; and the answer to all these questions is: yes! Yes, with a suitable further education, completely new perspectives open up. No, it is not quite that simple, because further education is not an automatic process. There are many things that need to be taken into account, starting with the choice of the right offer, personal skills, financing, and ending with the degrees and the question of individual goals. The most important questions about continuing education are answered below.

In a constantly changing world, which is also characterized by numerous trends such as globalization or digitalization, requirements are also changing rapidly. Whereas in the past it was common to join a company after graduating from university and stay with it until retirement, people today have to be much more adaptable. In times of demographic change, globalization, digitalization, short-time work and limited-term contracts as well as increasing project models, it is difficult for employees as well as managers to hold their own. Today’s workforce must continuously develop, adapt and set its own goals, because the times when state or church delivered goals are also over – at least for the majority of people. The responsibility lies with the individual! This is the centre of all developments. It should therefore do everything possible to make these developments as sovereign as possible, which can only be achieved through knowledge, abilities and skills. People who consciously decide to shape their lives pro-actively cannot avoid further training – whether in their professional or private lives.

What are the benefits of professional development?

Continuing vocational training can have many effects. The decisive factor is what you want, what you need and what you already have. Of course, continuing vocational training should broaden your perspective in your professional life. For example, you can qualify for a management position, expand your fields of work or become active in completely new industries. With further training you are more qualified, can argue, plan and act better. You improve your chances on the job market and on a higher income. For example, you will be better able to apply for specialized jobs. Your job satisfaction increases – as does your motivation. In times of constant change, continuing education helps you to adapt better, in the spirit of Charles Darwin:

“It is not the strongest species that will survive, but those that are best able to adapt to change.”

In addition, further training helps you stay physically and mentally fit. You make effective use of lifelong learning and can derive health and social benefits.

What forms of continuing education are there?

“It is not the strongest species that will survive, but those that are best able to adapt to change.”

In addition, further training helps you stay physically and mentally fit. You make effective use of lifelong learning and can derive health and social benefits.

Further training:

This is understood to mean further qualifications in the learned profession in order to reach higher levels in the hierarchy. For example, one can apply for a management position. A typical example from the skilled trades is further training to become a master craftsman. In inpatient nursing, it would be further training to become a ward manager. The final examinations are usually organised by the IHK or by state examination boards.

Retraining:

This form of further education is given when one is considering a completely new professional goal. For example, one works in the IT industry in the accounting department and learns health management at a distance university in order to be able to work in this field later on. The educational phase can be quite long and includes numerous practical elements. In most cases accredited courses of education or degrees are sought.

How do I recognize the right training for me?

The answer to this question depends on your individual goals. If you can critically examine your current state and outline a target state, you can already narrow down which form of further education is most suitable. The right form of further training is always a question of your own course. This means that you should also know whether you want to make a short-term or long-term decision.

The following guiding questions can help:

1. do I need to know and be able to do more than I do at the moment?
2. do I want to feel more competent?
3. what do my superiors demand? What do they recommend?
4. do I want to move up the career ladder?
5. am I looking for a fundamental change?
6. Do I need solid arguments for salary negotiations?
7. Am I satisfied with what I am doing?

Once you have clarified these questions for yourself and have come to the conclusion that you need further training, you will need to look at other criteria to know which further training is right for you. Questions can also help here:

1. do I want to become a manager?
2. do I “only” want more money?
3. do I want to develop personally?
4. can I afford further training financially and logistically?
5. what does my family say?
6. who would support me?
7. what degrees and qualifications do I already have?
8. can I learn in a disciplined and consistent manner over a longer period of time and work independently?

From these questions you can deduce whether you would like to take advantage of further education, advanced training or retraining. You can also approach the possible learning contents in this way. The right further education is that which harmonizes as many aspects as possible for you. For example, it is of no use at all if you are seeking retraining through a distance university but cannot arrange to attend the necessary classroom training. You can also rule out a distance learning university if you want to develop leadership skills or are interested in a training profession.

How can I finance my further education?

There are further education offers which are free of charge for you. These are usually smaller training programmes, the costs of which are borne by the relevant companies. More comprehensive or personally initiated further training courses cost considerably more and must therefore be calculated accordingly by you. In addition to your “co-payment”, you can rely on financial support from the Federal Government, the Länder and companies. Typical programmes are further education grants, Aufstiegs-Bafög or individual agreements with the company where you are employed, provided that the company recognises that it benefits from your further education. You can also save taxes if you bear the costs yourself. Employees have a great advantage because they can choose from almost all support offers. Training bonuses have also become an integral part of the support options. Study loans and education funds are further alternatives.

Whatever the financing perspective, keep in mind that costs and benefits should at least be kept in balance. It is of course better if the benefits outweigh the costs. So if you know that further training will lead to a significantly higher salary, you can invest – generate human capital, so to speak.

Which degrees can I achieve?

The various forms of further education suggest that there are a correspondingly large number of degrees, ranging from simple certificates to accredited degrees. It is important that you should orient yourself towards accredited degrees. The degrees should be recognised documents. Of course, further education can also be useful if you do not receive an accredited degree in the end, which is the case, for example, in the field of investment advice. In this case, it is private companies with internal hierarchies and training programmes. If you want to move up within these companies, you should do so with the programs there.

Adaptation training usually ends with a certificate of participation. This is the lowest form of qualification.

For more complex forms of continuing education, attention should be paid to the quality of the qualifications. The recognition and scope of the qualification should be carefully analysed. The spectrum ranges from certificates that are recognised within the industry, through examination certificates that have EU weight, to university degrees.

How can I recognise good further training offers?

This is indeed a difficult question, because the further education market is very confusing and many companies lure with their offers and questionable advertising promises. The best thing is to focus on the learning content and possible degrees. The higher the transparency, the better. Furthermore, further training offers are achievements that can be evaluated. That is why there are also corresponding quality seals. The quality management should make every effort to obtain such seals. Quality seals should be awarded by external inspectors. But beware: Just because a company does not have a seal at all does not mean that it offers poor further training. Many companies dispense with quality management systems because they are very expensive and time-consuming. This does not diminish the value of the offers.