Continuing education counseling (German: Weiterbildungsberatung) supports employees and organizations in selecting suitable qualification measures. Since the German Qualification Opportunities Act (Qualifizierungschancengesetz) came into force in 2019, employees have a legal right to free counseling at the Federal Employment Agency. For companies, professional continuing education counseling offers the opportunity to utilize funding programs and develop employees strategically.

Definition: What Is Continuing Education Counseling?

Continuing education counseling is a specialized form of educational guidance that focuses on professional qualification opportunities after initial vocational training. It helps identify suitable training programs, analyze individual qualification needs, and maximize available funding options.

Unlike general educational counseling, which covers all life phases, continuing education counseling specifically targets working professionals or job seekers who want to expand their skills or adapt to new requirements.

Individual Continuing Education Counseling

Individual continuing education counseling is aimed at individual employees or job seekers. It includes analyzing strengths and development potential, identifying suitable qualification measures, and clarifying financing questions. The goal is to shape individual career paths and secure long-term employability.

Organizational Continuing Education Counseling

Organizational counseling focuses on companies. It involves systematically identifying qualification needs, developing corporate training concepts, and aligning personnel development strategically with business objectives. External training consultants or internal HR departments typically handle this task.

Legal Framework: The Qualification Opportunities Act

With the Qualification Opportunities Act (Qualifizierungschancengesetz), the German federal government set a milestone for vocational training in 2019. The law is part of the national qualification initiative and aims to prepare employees for digital transformation.

Right to Continuing Education Counseling

According to Section 29 of the German Social Code Book III (SGB III), all employees have had a legal right to continuing education counseling at the Federal Employment Agency since 2019. This entitlement applies regardless of qualification, age, or company size. Employers can simultaneously use the qualification counseling services of the Employer Service to develop corporate training strategies.

The Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs emphasizes: The law is intended to enable all employees to benefit from training support—provided they are affected by digital structural change or work in a so-called shortage occupation.

Funding Options for Companies and Employees

Financial support depends on company size:

Companies with fewer than 50 employees:

• Up to 100% coverage of training costs
• Up to 100% wage subsidy during training

Companies with 50 to 499 employees:

• Up to 50% of training costs
• Up to 50% wage subsidy

Companies with 500 or more employees:

• Up to 25% of training costs
• Up to 25% wage subsidy

Additionally, since April 2024, there is the Qualification Allowance (Qualifizierungsgeld) for companies affected by structural changes. It enables employees to be released for training while receiving partial wage compensation from the Federal Employment Agency.

Who Provides Continuing Education Counseling?

The continuing education landscape in Germany is diverse. For HR professionals, it's important to know the various providers and choose the appropriate counseling based on specific needs.

Public Providers

The Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) is the central contact for legally mandated continuing education counseling. It offers free counseling for employees and supports companies through the Employer Service with qualification planning.

The Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK) provide free counseling on training opportunities in commercial and industrial sectors. They inform about IHK qualifications, funding options, and suitable training providers in the region.

Adult education centers and municipal education counseling offices offer low-threshold counseling for all citizens. They provide information about local training opportunities and help with orientation.

Private Providers and HR Consultants

Specialized HR consulting firms and training consultants support companies with strategic personnel development. They create customized training concepts, evaluate education providers, and accompany implementation. These services are typically fee-based but offer individual solutions for complex requirements.

Many training providers also offer free counseling—though with the aim of promoting their own courses. Here you should ensure that the counseling is outcome-neutral and not primarily sales-driven.

Continuing Education Counseling in Practice: Tips for HR

As an HR professional, you can actively use continuing education counseling to position your company for the future. The key lies in a systematic approach.

Systematically Identifying Training Needs

A sound needs analysis is the foundation of every successful training strategy. The following methods have proven effective:

Employee conversations and feedback sessions provide valuable insights into individual development wishes and perceived skill gaps. Conduct regular development discussions where training is explicitly addressed.

Competency analyses and potential assessments enable an objective capture of strengths and development areas. Digital tools can support this process: The Aivy platform, for example, uses scientifically validated game-based assessments to create strength profiles. Such objective data provides a solid basis for targeted development planning—both in recruitment and internal training planning.

Alignment with business objectives ensures that training measures fit the strategic direction. What competencies will your company need in two, five, or ten years? This question should guide training planning.

Assessing Training Provider Quality

Not every training provider delivers on their promises. Pay attention to the following quality criteria:

• AZAV certification: A prerequisite for redeeming education vouchers and a quality indicator in Germany
• Transparent information: Content, duration, qualifications, and costs should be clearly communicated
• References and reviews: Experiences from other companies provide orientation
• Practical relevance: Look for instructors with professional experience and application-oriented content

Frequently Asked Questions About Continuing Education Counseling

Is continuing education counseling free?

Counseling at the Federal Employment Agency and Chambers of Industry and Commerce is free. Many training providers also offer free initial consultations. External HR consultants and specialized training advisors are typically fee-based.

Who is entitled to continuing education counseling?

Since 2019, all employees have a legal right to continuing education counseling at the Federal Employment Agency (Section 29 SGB III). This entitlement applies regardless of qualification, age, or company size. Job seekers and self-employed individuals can also use the counseling services.

What funding options are available for continuing education?

The main funding instruments are the Qualification Opportunities Act (up to 100% cost coverage depending on company size), education vouchers for unemployed and job-seeking individuals, the Qualification Allowance since 2024 for company restructuring, and the Advancement Training Assistance Act (Aufstiegs-BAföG) for qualifications such as master craftsman, technician, or specialist.

How does a continuing education counseling session work?

The typical process comprises five steps: First, a needs analysis determines which competencies are lacking or should be developed. Then goals are defined. In the third step, the counselor researches suitable measures. Next, available funding is reviewed. Finally, implementation planning with timeframes and organization takes place.

How do I find a reputable training provider?

Check for AZAV certification—it's a prerequisite for redeeming education vouchers in Germany. Obtain references and reviews and look for transparent information about content, duration, and qualifications. The Chamber of Industry and Commerce or the Employment Agency can assist with selection.

What is the difference between educational counseling and continuing education counseling?

Educational counseling is an umbrella term covering all educational phases from school to retirement. Continuing education counseling specifically focuses on professional qualification after initial training. In practice, both terms are often used interchangeably.

How do I identify training needs in my company?

Proven methods include regular employee conversations, systematic competency analyses, alignment with business objectives and market requirements, and the use of objective tools such as aptitude diagnostics and strength profiles. A combination of these approaches delivers the most reliable results.

Conclusion

Continuing education counseling is a strategic tool for HR professionals to develop employees in a targeted manner and optimize the use of funding. Since the Qualification Opportunities Act in 2019, employees in Germany have a legal right to free counseling at the Federal Employment Agency. For companies, it's worthwhile to actively use these offerings and approach training planning systematically.

The key to success lies in sound needs analysis: Those who objectively capture their employees' strengths and potential can steer training in a targeted way and maximize ROI.

Would you like to objectively capture your employees' strengths and potential? Learn more about scientific aptitude diagnostics with the Aivy platform

Sources

• Qualifizierungschancengesetz (Qualification Opportunities Act). Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, 2019.
• Weiterbildungsberatung in Deutschland (Continuing Education Counseling in Germany). Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB), 2021.
• Qualifizierungsoffensive: Weiterbildung für Ihr Personal (Qualification Initiative). Federal Employment Agency, 2024. https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/k/weiterbildung-qualifizierungsoffensive
• SGB III – Social Code Book III – Employment Promotion. Federal Law Gazette, 2024. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_3/‍
• Weiterbildungsberatung. Wikipedia, 2024. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weiterbildungsberatung