BMAS promotes continuing vocational education and training networks nationwide

The first two of a total of 13 continuing vocational education and training networks are being launched today in Berlin and Thuringia. Funding is provided through the federal programme "Establishing continuing vocational education and training networks" run by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS). The other projects will begin their work between January and April 2021. These include both sector-specific projects as well as projects across sectors. There was huge interest in the project from all parties concerned.

State Secretary Björn Böhning: "Continuing vocational education and training is the most important response to the structural change accelerated by the coronavirus pandemic. New responses and tools are needed in order for small and medium-sized enterprises in particular to be able to properly support their employees. Continuing vocational education and training networks support companies in securing their potential supply of skilled workers and in preparing employees for the changed professional requirements. The Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs has acted quickly and decisively in the current economic crisis. The initial projects are being launched just five months after the call for interested parties to submit requests for funding. The high level of interest shown demonstrates how great the demand is. The continuing vocational education training networks allow us to contribute significantly to strengthening lifelong learning and to ensuring the availability of skilled workers."

In Thuringia, the German Association for Small and Medium-sized Businesses is launching the cross-sector project "Continuing vocational education and training network for Thuringia SMEs" together with local partners. The training provider GFBM Academy is, among other things, also coordinating the cross-sector continuing vocational education and training network "R-Learning kollektiv" for the Berlin metropolitan region.

About the federal programme

BMAS is using the federal programme "Establishing continuing vocational education and training networks" to implement a key agreement of the National Continuing Vocational Education and Training strategy (NWS). The goal is to increase participation by SMEs in continuing vocational education and training and to strengthen regional business and innovation networks.

The coordination offices bring together the individual stakeholders of a network, provide companies with specific information, identify continuing vocational education training requirements, deliver impartial advice as providers, and offer support in creating the content for continuing vocational education and training measures.