I want to strengthen my expertise

There are many ways to develop your professional expertise. Depending on your situation, you can study full-time, while working, or during unemployment.

During the job search discussion, you and your expert will review your competence development needs. You will get information on different options, such as labour market trainings, apprenticeships and independent studying on unemployment allowance. You can study in the classroom or remotely, take part in multiform education or complete a degree or qualification completely independently. You can upgrade your expertise and qualifications at a higher education institution or study at any institution while working. If you learn best while working, on-the-job learning or an apprenticeship may be the right way for you to complete a qualification or a unit or update your expertise.

If you are an unemployed jobseeker, it is important that you agree with your employment services expert in advance that you will start studying, as studying may affect your unemployment security.

While planning your studies, try to answer the following questions:

  • What kind of knowledge and skills do you want to obtain? Where can you learn them?
  • How long are you willing to study?
  • What are the requirements for admission?
  • How will you finance your studies and support yourself in the meantime?
  • What will your studies prepare you for? Will you need further training after completing your degree to achieve your goal?
  • What kind of employment opportunities does studying bring?

Labour market training

Labour market training is mainly intended for jobseekers over the age of 20 who are unemployed or at risk of becoming unemployed and have completed their compulsory education.

Labour market training helps you develop and complement your skills to meet the needs of the labour market. The training is mainly vocational training, such as preparatory education for upper secondary or vocational qualifications or further vocational education. In most cases, it is further training to improve existing expertise.

Labour market training is free of charge. During the training, you can receive the same unemployment benefit you get while unemployed (earnings-related unemployment allowance, basic unemployment allowance or labour market subsidy). You will also be paid an expense allowance.