Factsheet for measure
DE-2020-27/3655
– measures in Germany
Expansion of training networks
Ausbau Weiterbildungsverbünde
Background information
Against the background of the ecological changes, digitalisation, and demographic shifts, transforming the economy and supporting employees in adapting to these shifts became more and more important. Small and medium-sized companies (SMEs), however, often lack the time, funding, or personnel to provide sufficient employee training. To address this situation, the National Further Training Strategy (NWS) initiated decentralised training networks and regional partnerships in 2019. Networks can apply for funding under the "Extending Training Networks" programme hosted by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs'. The funding programme is devoted to supporting companies in securing skilled workers and maintaining employee employability.
Content of measure
Training networks are collaborations between companies, training providers, and regional labour market actors. They enable resource-efficient planning and implementation of training measures across company boundaries.
The focus is on partner collaboration, identifying company training needs, advising on suitable programs, and developing new training measures based on identified demands. More specifically, the training networks aim to increase employees' participation in further training, strengthen networking and cooperations between the different actors and improve training offerings
To achieve these goals, funding is granted for the following purposes:
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establishing and managing regional coordination offices (e.g., "network managers") to build and oversee training networks;
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developing cooperative structures among companies (especially SMEs), training providers, and key actors in continuing education;
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identifying training needs within the network and providing neutral advisory services, including referrals to relevant institutions;
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collecting and sharing information on professional training, including funding opportunities; and
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supporting training providers in designing new programmes aligned with company needs in the network.
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) devoted around €100 billion to the further training networks and issued funding guidelines. The first guideline was released in 2020 and was open for different sectors, the second funding guideline (2021) addressed the challenges in the automotive industry.
Training networks funded under the first guideline could apply for grants covering up to 70% of their costs for a maximum period of 36 months. Each project could be funded up to €1 million. Training networks funded under second guideline could apply for grants covering between 50% and 70% of their grants (depending on company sizes). Each project could be funded with up to €2 million.
Use of measure
The first funding guideline was published on 1 July 2020 and supported 38 training networks across Germany. Projects were realised in different sectors, such as healthcare and social economy, construction and skilled trades, IT, robotics, and microtechnology, metal, electrical, and chemical industries, hospitality and gastronomy, media and film industry, aviation and the automotive industries.
An additional 15 training networks were launched between March and August 2022 (under the second funding guideline). As the second funding guideline specifically addressed the automotive sector, projects focused on qualifying automotive industry employees for roles in other fields, sectors, and industries.
Target groups
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Workers
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Businesses
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Citizens
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Applies to all workers
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SMEs
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Does not apply to citizens
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Actors and funding
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Actors
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Funding
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National government
Trade unions
Employers' organisations
Company / Companies
Other social actors (e.g. NGOs)
Public employment service
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European Funds
National funds
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Social partners
Social partners' role in
designing the measure
and form of involvement:
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Trade unions
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Employers' organisations
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Role
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Consulted
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Consulted
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Form
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Direct consultation outside a formal body
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Direct consultation outside a formal body
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Social partners' role in the
implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:
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Social partners jointly
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Main level of involvement: Unknown
Involvement
Social partners were consulted on the National Further Training Strategy as were federal and regional government representatives as well as the Federal Employment Agency.
Views and reactions
Welcomed by social partners who support further qualification of employees in many ways. Apart from these training networks, the social partners have a long-standing history in cooperating on training issues (e.g. in the Alliance for Vocational and Further Training).
Sources
